Sheet metal handling and lifting steel plates

Sheet metal handling and lifting steel plates with vacuum technology. Both magnetic and non-magnetic sheets are easily lifted. The suction pad is placed on the metal product, after which the vacuum is activated by a push on the button. Now you can lift, move, or even turn the sheet metal. Vacuum lifting is used during production, storage, internal transport, transhipment, and construction. Besides vacuum lifters for metal plates, we also design pipe handling equipment. All our designs are custom made to perfectly match the individual situation.

Why choose lifting plates by vacuum?

Vacuum offers unique advantages compared to other lifting methods to lift plates, such as chains, clamps, and magnets. Chains and clamps can be used to lift non-magnetic plates, such as aluminium, copper, and stainless steel. Compared to these lifting methods, vacuum offers distinct advantages:

  • No damage to the plate, not even scratches
  • No spacers or stoppers required
  • Easy and fast handling
  • Less manpower
  • Safer work environment

Magnetic plates, such as steel plates, are often lifted with magnets. In addition to above benefits, there are some extra advantages to lifting plates by a vacuum lifter instead of a lifting magnet:

  • Perfect control on the plate to handle
  • No residual magnetism
  • Increase lifting capacity due to low-weight lifter (no heavy-duty backup power necessary)
  • Less maintenance
  • Energy saving (3kW to lift 10 ton and 5kW to lift 20 ton).
  • Free of magnetic interferences and other environmental influences (think of ships compasses and gyros)

Boost efficiency of handling metal sheets or lifting steel plates

The complete lifting process by a vacuum lifting can be carried out by one person. The operator positions the lifter on the sheet metal or steel plate and activates and deactivates the vacuum. All easily done by a push on the button. Creating the vacuum takes less than 2 seconds. Once attached it is safe to lift, turn, rotate, and move the metal sheet or steel plate in any desired position.

Metal lifting of crude steel slabs and other castings

The processing of metals starts in a blast furnace, where the metals are melted and cast into crude steel slabs or other casting forms. The material is formed into coils, steel plates or metal sheets, ready for shipping. Lifting is done under high temperatures and involves extreme heavy loads. Aerolift designed the biggest vacuum lifter in the world to lift steel plates up to 85 tons (read more about this heavy lifting project). Aerolift lifting metal solutions are used for all manner of plate handling. With years of experience in many different industries Aerolift will find the most efficient solution for handling your metal products.

Vacuum plate lifter to handle the extremely heavy steel plates of the windmill towers

From semi-finished product to end product

The metal coils, steel plates or sheet metals are used as semi-finished products in metal cutting and processing mills. Here the material is processed into a new semi-finished product or an end product. Think of:

Aerolift sheet metal lifters for plate handling offer optimal support for all types of storageintern transport and material handling. Aerolift designs both manually and fully automated vacuum lifters. All depending on the customer situation and preferences.

Safer work environment

No matter if you lift 85 kg or 85 tons, it is important all lifting goes safely and in control. Therefore, all Aerolift lifters comply with the most stringent safety standards. For example, all Aerolift vacuum lifters are secured with an alarm system and guarantee load attachment in case of a power failure. The operator is able to read the vacuum level continuously during operation. If the vacuum level in the tank or under the suction pads drops below 80%, the vacuum lifter emits a clear visual and audio signal to warn the operator. In addition, all Aerolift vacuum lifters are engineered and built to ensure that in the event of a technical failure it takes at least several minutes for the vacuum pressure to drop halfway. This leaves sufficient time for taking measures to lower the load safely to floor level or support the load in any other way.

More information about sheet metal lifting or steel plate handling

Would you like some more specific information or do you have questions about sheet metal lifting or steel plate handling by vacuum? Feel free to contact our team of lifting experts. We are happy to help you optimise your business and work together to the perfect lifting solution for your project.