Vacuum lifters for sheets are dedicated lifting devices that use vacuum to hold and move large flat panels: sheet metal, steel plate, stainless steel, glass, stone, engineered wood, panels, concrete slabs, plastic sheets and more. They fully replace traditional wire-rope slinging, shortening lifting time, reducing labor and protecting material surfaces from scratches, dents or deformation.
Use a Venturi vacuum generator driven by 4 – 6 bar compressed air from the plant's existing air compressor. They have an integrated structure, generate no heat and run steadily in continuous operation, making them suitable for CNC cutting lines, laser cutting, coil slitting lines and fixed installations on crane cabins.
Use a 220V or 380V electric vacuum pump for the strongest and most stable suction, suitable for lifting sheets up to 2 – 3 tons and for long hours of continuous work. They usually come with a non-return vacuum valve, a vacuum reservoir and a pressure sensor to keep the load safe in a power failure.
Generate vacuum with a hand pump or a lever-piston mechanism, with no need for electricity or compressed air. Suitable for outdoor sites, glass installation, stone panel installation and jobs that move between many locations, with low investment cost and simple maintenance.
Integrate a 12V/24V DC vacuum pump and a rechargeable battery, operating independently for 6 – 8 hours per charge. With no cables or air hoses in the way, they are very flexible for outdoor lifting and work on factory roofs, and include an audible alarm when vacuum pressure drops.
| Load capacity | Number of pads | Sheet length | Typical applications |
| 400 – 600 kg | 2 – 4 pads | 3 – 4 m | Thin sheet metal, glass, engineered wood |
| 800 – 1,000 kg | 4 – 6 pads | 4 – 6 m | Steel plate, stone slabs, panels |
| 1,500 – 2,000 kg | 6 – 8 pads | 6 – 9 m | Thick steel plate, concrete slabs |
| 2,500 – 3,000 kg | 8 – 12 pads | 9 – 12 m | Extra-long sheets, shipbuilding, steel structures |
The capacities above are standard configurations. We also design to order with a safety factor of 2:1 – 4:1 depending on the working environment.
The beam frame is engineered against deflection for each sheet length, and the pads are evenly spaced so the load is distributed across the surface:
To specify the right configuration, you need to define: the material type and surface roughness, the dimensions and weight of the largest and smallest sheets, the available power source (compressed air, electricity, battery or mechanical), the lifting equipment it will be used with (overhead crane, forklift, mobile crane) and whether the sheet must be rotated or tilted 90° or 180°.
Can the lifter handle corrugated sheet?
Yes, using soft bellows-type rubber pads or pads shaped to the corrugation profile.
Will the sheet drop if power fails during lifting?
No. The system has a non-return valve and a backup vacuum reservoir, giving enough time to lower the sheet to a safe position.
What are the warranty and lead time?
Standard models are in stock; custom units typically take 15 – 30 days. Warranty is 12 months, with on-site technical support.
Contact FULL SHARP for advice on the right configuration and a quotation for a vacuum sheet lifter suited to your plant.