Vacuum Lift Key Terms

Learn about vacuum lifts terminology to help you in your business

By Howard Robertson

Vacuum lifts work on the principles of suction and vacuum lifting. These lifts have made the task of handling heavy equipment in industries simpler and more economical. It is important to choose a lift that is efficient, ergonomic and safe for your industrial application. Vacuum lifts can have mechanical or electrical drive systems.

This guide will acquaint you with some essential key terms related to vacuum lifts, such as vacuum tube lifts, self-powered mechanical vacuum lifts and vacuum lifting cylinders.

Vacuum tube lifters

Vacuum tube lifters are very useful material handling devices based on vacuum technology. They can easily lift heavy loads, such as sacks, boxes and drums.
Try: Palamatic Handling Systems Ltd., a manufacturer of material handling and lifting devices, offers a description of vacuum tube lifters.

Self-powered mechanical vacuum lifters

A mechanical vacuum lifter hangs from a crane hook and a hoist pulls it up, creating a vacuum to pick up a load. A self-cycling valve controls the vacuum attach-and-release process.
Try: You can get comprehensive information on self-powered mechanical vacuum lifts at Anver Corp., a manufacturer of vacuum lifts.

Single or multi-pad vacuum lifters

Single pad vacuum lifters are capable of handling smaller loads. A multi-pad lifter is useful for lifting heavy loads or components with considerably large dimensions.
Try: Get more information on single pad and multi-pad vacuum lifters at US Crane and Hoist, a manufacturer of material handling equipment.

Pneumatic vacuum elevators

Vacuum technology has made its way into residential and commercial elevator systems. A vacuum elevator uses the difference in air pressure above and below the vacuum elevator cabinet for its movement.
Try: You can learn more about pneumatic vacuum elevators at Daytona Elevator, a manufacturer of residential and commercial elevators.

Vacuum lifting cylinders

Vacuum lifting cylinders are suitable for applications where the material handling system setup should be flexible. The piston of a vacuum lifting cylinder simultaneously sucks and lifts thin, porous and flat objects. These devices are useful for handling paper and thin metal sheets.
Try: Read through information on vacuum lifting cylinders at Hennig (UK) Limited, a supplier of vacuum suction cups and equipment.

Vacuum manipulators

A vacuum manipulator is useful in moving items to vacuum chambers for material handling. Warehouses and production floors use heavy-duty vacuum manipulators to move bags, cartons, kegs or sacks. Vacuum lifts are a form of vacuum manipulators.
Try: You can get more information on vacuum manipulators at GlobalSpec, a useful online resource.