Steel Sheet Moving from Rack to Cutter by Vacuum

FullSharp installed a 500 kg rail jib crane between a multi-level steel sheet rack and a laser cutter, with a COMEUP electric hoist and a 400 kg pneumatic vacuum lifter for 3000 x 1500 mm sheets. One operator picks each sheet from the rack, swings the arm and sets it flat on the cutting table.

3000 x 1500 mm steel sheets are stored on a multi-level steel rack next to the laser cutter. Every job needs a sheet pulled out of the rack and placed on the cutting table; doing it by hand is slow, scratches sheets and is unsafe with large, heavy sheets.

FullSharp installed a 500kg rail jib crane between the sheet rack and the cutter, with a COMEUP electric hoist and a pneumatic vacuum lifter. The operator picks the sheet from the rack, lifts it, swings the arm and sets it straight onto the cutting table.

500kg Rail Jib Crane with Pneumatic Vacuum Lifter from Steel Sheet Rack to Cutter

500kg rail jib crane placed between the steel sheet rack and the laser cutter.

Installed equipment

500kg rail jib crane: floor-mounted column bolted down, slewing arm with a 500 kg rail reaching both the sheet rack and the cutting table.
COMEUP electric hoist: smooth lifting, travelling along the jib rail, with a coiled air hose feeding the lifter.
Pneumatic vacuum lifter: compressed-air vacuum generation, aluminum frame with spring-loaded pads, vacuum reservoir and gauge, remote control on the handle.

Key specifications

Crane capacity500 kg
HoistCOMEUP electric hoist
LifterPneumatic vacuum, 400 kg
Sheet size3000 x 1500 mm
LocationSteel sheet rack to laser cutter

Benefits for the factory

Picks straight from the rack

The lifter reaches into each rack level, no manual pulling or forklift.

Flat, scratch-free sheets

Several pads support the whole sheet; the reservoir keeps vacuum stable.

One-person operation

Picking, lifting, swinging and placing on the cutter needs only one operator.

On-site installation photos

500kg Rail Jib Crane with Pneumatic Vacuum Lifter from Steel Sheet Rack to Cutter - photo 1

500kg Rail Jib Crane with Pneumatic Vacuum Lifter from Steel Sheet Rack to Cutter - photo 2

500kg Rail Jib Crane with Pneumatic Vacuum Lifter from Steel Sheet Rack to Cutter - photo 3

500kg Rail Jib Crane with Pneumatic Vacuum Lifter from Steel Sheet Rack to Cutter - photo 4

500kg Rail Jib Crane with Pneumatic Vacuum Lifter from Steel Sheet Rack to Cutter - photo 5

Click a photo to enlarge. 5-photo album taken on site.

Suitable applications

Laser cutting shops with multi-level sheet racks
Loading steel, stainless and aluminium sheets onto CNC cutters
Sheet stores picking by rack level
Steel structure and fabrication workshops

Frequently asked questions

How do you load sheets from a multi-level rack onto a laser?

The vacuum lifter reaches into each rack level, so there is no manual pulling or forklift. The jib arm then swings the sheet onto the cutting table.

How is the sheet kept flat?

Several spring-loaded pads on an aluminum frame support the whole sheet, and a vacuum reservoir keeps suction stable. The sheet lands without scratches.

What sheet size does this setup handle?

It is set up for 3000 x 1500 mm steel sheets, with a 400 kg lifter under a 500 kg crane. FullSharp sizes the frame to each customer's sheets.

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Get a solution for your factory

Send FullSharp the sheet size, maximum sheet weight, rack layout and cutter position. We survey your shop, calculate the jib reach and choose the right vacuum lifter.

Request a site survey and quote See completed projects

500 kg Rail Jib Crane with Pneumatic Vacuum Lifter from Steel Sheet Rack to Laser Cutter