Vacuum Tube Lifters Basic Overview

Vacuum Lifting 1Two types of ‘vacuum lifting’ exist Where vacuum is generated to apply a grip using suction pads. The lift is usually provided by other means e.g. a PneuLift using compressed air generated venturi vacuum. 2Two types of ‘vacuum lifting’ exist A similar concept, but here vacuum is used not only to generate grip, but also provides the power for lifting. This is known as ‘vacuum tube lifting’, a popular, easy to use and efficient handling solution

How to quote a Vacuum Tube Lifter Golden Rules 1. Vacuum Pump 2. Vacuum Relief Valve 3. Filter 4. Lift Tube Assembly 5. Control Head 6. Suction Foot 7. Vacuum Transfer Hose 8. Crane You may also add ancillary items such as Universal Joint or Lower Rotary Coupling

Typical System Layout Crane Vertical support pillar c/w swing jib This is the most common style of crane employed for workstation handling. Variations include; wall mounted jib/stanchion mounted jib and alternative jib types such as inverted and knuckle (or articulated) Bridge cranes are also commonly used.

Typical System Layout Vacuum Pump/Relief Valve Direct Drive No Maintenance Low Noise Levels - 71dB(A) at 3 feet High Flow 230v/460v pump runs at +/- 10% variance in voltage. Will not run on 208 volts!! Relief valve fitted to protect pump for non porous loads.

Typical System Layout Filters CF130 - Low Dust Levels CF220 - Medium Dust Levels BF High Dust Levels 70% efficient at 0.17microns

Typical System Layout Lift Tubes Diameters from 100 to 250mm Neoprene & Polyester 2 ply construction is very durable Standard has exposed wire helix - suitable for wipe clean only Upgrade for Food/Pharmaceutical has coated helix Combine tubes to increase capacity Capacity of SLTA/MLTA is given to bottom tube manifold/can. All other items must be added i.e. control handle, end effector and product load

Tube Assembly 360 o Rotary Safety Plate Support Rope Vacuum SLTA - Single Lift Tube Assembly As vacuum travels through the system the safety plate raises, allowing air flow If vacuum flow is interrupted for any reason e.g. pump failure, the safety plate closes and seals the remaining vacuum in the tube and end effector Palamatic’s safety ratios ensure that, as vacuum levels drop, the load is secure in position until it reaches floor level (or close proximity) This ensures the operators’ safety The weight of the control handle and end effector is secured by the support rope when power is off

Lift Tube Range - MiniLifter (ML) Note: Capacities shown do not include end effector or ancillary items e.g. Universal Joint Lift Tube Diameter100mm120mm140mm Capacity (on non-porous surface) 60hz = 66 lbs60hz = 99 lbs60hz = 121 lbs Compacted Height (1700mm) Compacted Height (2400mm) 35.4 in 45.5 in 35.4 in 45.5 in 35.4 in 45.5 in Extended Height (1700mm) Extended Height (2400mm) in 140 in in 140 in in 140 in Area (in inches)

Lift Tube Range - Pal-U-Lift (PL) Note: Capacities shown do not include end effector or ancillary items e.g. Universal Joint Lift Tube Diameter160mm180mm200mm Capacity (on non-porous surface) 60hz =176 lbs60hz = 209 lbs60hz = 275 lbs Compacted Height (1700mm) Compacted Height (2400mm) 35.4 in 45.5 in 35.4 in 45.5 in 37.2 in 48.6 in Extended Height (1700mm) Extended Height (2400mm) in 140 in in 140 in in in Area (in square inches)303948

Lift Tube Range - High Capacity (HCL) Note: Capacities shown do not include end effector or ancillary items e.g. Universal Joint Lift Tube Diameter230mm250mm Capacity (on non-porous surface) 60hz = 350 lbs60hz = 418 lbs Compacted Height (1700mm) Compacted Height (2400mm) 37.8 in N/A 46.3 in N/A Extended Height (1700mm) Extended Height (2400mm) in N/A in N/A Area (in inches)

Typical System Layout Control Handles and Valves Palamatic standardize on the ‘Stay-Put’ valve ‘Spring Loaded’ & ‘Throttle’ types available ML & PL supplied in 304 stainless as standard Rigid and Flexible extension options ‘Low-headroom’ and ‘Trigger’ styles also available Low maintenance and ergonomic design Stay-Put - Handles multiple weight loads randomly without adjustment Spring Loaded - Use adjustment screw to set lift weight and balance height Needs adjusting for varying weight loads Cleaner design suits food/pharma applications

MiniLifter (ML) Control Valves – partial listing ML-TV Trigger type ML-HV Horizontal type ML-FEHV Flexible extension to horizontal handle

Pal-U-Lift (PL) Control Valves – partial listing PL-SPL Stay-Put PL-SLL Spring Loaded PL-SPT Throttle type PLE-SPL Extended PL-SLL Flexible Extended

High Capacity (HCL) Control Valves – partial listing HCLE-SPL Extended with Stay-Put HCLFE-SLL Flexible Extended with Stay-Put

Typical System Layout End Effectors Hundreds of designs available Vacuum, mechanical and pneumatic options Flexible seals for uneven surfaces Flat seals for smooth surfaces Standard seals OK to 158 o F. Silicone seals OK to 230 o F Variety of material finishes Suitable for mounting to many types of lifting unit Easily inter-changeable 2.5:1 safety ratio for top lifting (vacuum cup area to tube cross sectional area) 4:1 safety ratio for side lifting

Safety Ratios – cups are sized to match tube diameter safety ratio of 2.5:1 for horizontal and 4.0:1 for vertical

Ancillary Items – partial listing Lower RotaryUniversal Joint Angle Adaptor c/w Gas Strut Angle Adaptor

Ancillary Items – partial listing Lift-Off fitted to PL-SPL Control HandleLift-Off fitted to a ML Control Handle

Trolley Pin Height Checking Compacted Height of SLTA or MLTA assembly + Ancillary + Controls + End Effector + 67 inches (stroke) to give o/a height for trolley pin elevation (add 2 inches to total to give clearance above floor)