Metal Sheet Loading onto CNC, Battery Vacuum Lifter

FullSharp installed a 500 kg jib crane with an electric hoist and a battery-powered vacuum lifter for moving steel, stainless and aluminum sheets from pallets onto a CNC cutting table. One operator grips, lifts and swings each sheet into place, avoiding cuts, bent sheets and scratches, with no power cable or air hose following the lifter.

In a metal fabrication workshop, steel, stainless and aluminum sheets are moved from racks or pallets onto the CNC cutting table many times per shift. The sheets are thin, sharp-edged and large, so lifting by hand is heavy, risks cuts, bends the sheets and scratches the surface, while a forklift cannot place a sheet precisely on the machine table.

FullSharp installed a 500 kg jib crane next to the machine, with an electric hoist on the boom and a battery-powered vacuum lifter with several pads on a beam frame below. The operator places the lifter on the sheet, switches on the vacuum, lifts it, swings the boom to the right spot on the CNC cutting table, lowers it and releases.

Lifting metal sheets onto a CNC cutter with a battery-powered vacuum lifter

A 500 kg jib crane with an electric hoist and a battery-powered vacuum lifter loading metal sheets onto a CNC cutter.

Installed equipment

500 kg jib crane: floor-mounted column with a boom rotating around it, covering the sheet pallet area and the CNC cutting table.
Electric hoist: mounted on the boom, lifts and lowers sheets smoothly with push-button control.
Battery-powered vacuum lifter: a beam frame with several adjustable pads for different sheet sizes; the vacuum pump runs on a rechargeable battery, so no power cable or air hose follows the lifter.
Control handles: handles on both sides to push and rotate the sheet and to switch vacuum on and off right at the lifter.

Key specifications

EquipmentJib crane + electric hoist + battery-powered vacuum lifter
Crane capacity500 kg
LoadsSteel, stainless and aluminum sheets
Lifter powerRechargeable battery, no cable or compressed air
ApplicationLoading sheets onto a CNC cutter, unloading from pallets

Benefits for the workshop

One operator

No need for two or three workers to carry sheets, fewer back strains and cut injuries.

Precise placement

The swinging boom and smooth hoist place sheets exactly on the CNC cutting table.

No trailing cables

The battery-powered lifter moves freely around the crane without air hoses or power cables.

See more metal sheet lifting equipment and FullSharp vacuum lifting pads. Send FullSharp your sheet size, thickness, weight and a photo of the machine area for a free survey.

Frequently asked questions

How does a battery vacuum lifter work?

The vacuum pump runs on a rechargeable battery, so no power cable or air hose follows the lifter. Several adjustable pads on a beam frame suit different sheet sizes.

Why not use a forklift to load sheets?

A forklift cannot place a thin sheet precisely on the cutting table. The swinging jib and hoist let the operator set it exactly.

How many workers are needed?

One. Handles on both sides push and rotate the sheet and switch vacuum on and off. FullSharp checks sheet sizes before setup.

500 kg Jib Crane with Electric Hoist and Battery Vacuum Lifter for Loading Sheets onto a CNC Cutter