Vacuum Lifters – What Are They Used For?
Limited space on construction sites or in halls often poses a challenge when installing large and heavy glazing. Vacuum lifters for glass come to the rescue, significantly facilitating the transport, lifting, and installation of window and glass elements. What should you know about them?
Specialized glass suction cups are used for installing heavy glazing on construction sites, in halls, production facilities, and in industrial settings.
How Are Vacuum Lifters Built?
Vacuum lifters for glass, also known as vacuum traverses or vacuum suction devices, simplify the installation of windows and glass on construction sites and in halls. These devices consist of a supporting frame, a vacuum pump, a vacuum distribution system, and suction pads. The supporting frame is a crucial element as it allows the assembly of all necessary components. It influences the load capacity and safe handling of the glass pane. Important components include the vacuum pump and the vacuum distribution system, which flexibly connects the vacuum reservoir to the suction surface. Equally important is the connection between the glass and the supporting frame so that the weight of the windows is transferred to the hook assembly of the glass lifter.
Applications of Suction Cups and Vacuum Lifters
Vacuum lifters are primarily used for transporting, lifting, and installing glass and window elements under challenging conditions on construction sites and in halls. They are also used in production facilities and industrial environments. Indoors, for example, they are commonly used for installing buses, trains, and other large vehicles. Unlike construction site vacuum lifters, indoor devices do not need to be weather-resistant. For outdoor use, such as window installation, highly durable glass lifters are used that withstand mechanical damage, moisture, rain, and changing weather conditions.
Vacuum lifters are indispensable for installing large and heavy glass panes or windows. Through safe tilting and rotation of the glass, installation of HS window systems or other constructions under challenging conditions is possible, as well as positioning glass from the outside of the frame.
On the Polish market, the UPG350 and UPG600 vacuum lifters are the most commonly used. They are used for lifting and installing glass panes weighing up to 350 kg and 600 kg, respectively, and can be installed on roof cranes or mini cranes, allowing the installation of glazing at great heights. These devices allow tilting the glass load by 90 degrees and rotating it 360 degrees, ensuring windows and panes are installed precisely, quickly, and safely.
Types of Vacuum Lifters
Depending on the power supply, vacuum lifters are divided into three basic types: manual, battery-powered, and mains-powered. Manual vacuum lifters feature a hand-operated vacuum pump and are used for flat or curved glass panes. Battery-powered and mains-powered vacuum lifters with electric pumps are also suitable for flat and curved panes.
They allow three types of glass manipulation:
- manual rotation and tilting of the pane,
- mechanical rotation and manual tilting of the pane,
- mechanical rotation and tilting of the pane.
Vacuum lifters greatly facilitate the transport and installation of large glazing, especially in confined construction site or hall environments. These devices can be easily purchased or rented for the duration of the construction work.
