Tube Lifters

Vacuum tube lifters are an innovative type of vacuum lifter, suitable for lifting sacks, cardboard boxes, drums, plates, and other items up to 200kg. 


Utilising vacuum technology, tube lifters excel at driving productivity where repetitive tasks are involved. With their single-handed operation, tube lifters are a practical, simple, safe, cost-effective handling device that offer a smooth, fast, consistent lifting function for smaller items, removing the burden of manually handling those same goods - or over-engineering a lifting solution which is not required for such a load. 


Tube lifters provide enormous extra benefit through increased ergonomics, and vastly improve the output of material handling and industrial operations.

When should you use a tube lifter?


Often found in warehouse operations, assembly line production, or high-volume product handling needs, tube lifters handle raw materials, rounded cans, bagged goods, parcels, cardboard boxes, luggage, windows or doors, oriented strand board (OSB) and other wood products, and more.


One of the primary reasons to go with a tube lifter is the ability to lift or lower the device using just one hand, meaning that the operator can determine the handling process speed. This has a few benefits in itself, but chief among them is safety - and a safer workplace is a more effective workplace.


Another key consideration for using a tube lifter is the relatively low maintenance requirement and overall cost-effectiveness of the device. With no additional lifting aids (such as chain hoists or wire balancers) required, you can use the same medium for engagement and lifting - vacuum - improving operational efficiency and saving on investment costs.



How do tube lifters work?


Able to grip and lift various types of loads and consist of a vacuum pump connected by an air hose to a lifting tube. The suction head and suction foot at the end of the lifting tube utilise vacuum technology to hold the load in place during transit, with the load then being transported by the vacuum tube lifter’s arm to its desired location. 


To achieve this outcome, an integrated non-return valve is installed in the upper turning head. The required vacuum is built up by powerful, low-maintenance and robust vacuum generators like oilless vacuum pumps, belt-driven blowers or multi-stage ejectors that run on compressed air. The unique modular system enables tube lifters to be tailored to individual requirements in a simple, straightforward way. 


A multitude of suction feet is available to allow the transport of different goods. Extensions for the control handle, turning and swivel features and various adaptors are available to adjust the tube lifters to personal needs and requirements.


Please note: In the event of a power failure the loads are not just dropped off, but are lowered slowly to the ground, safeguarding people and property from potential harm or damage.



Let us do the heavy lifting for you


Vacuum tube lifters can play an important role in many material handling operations; but, as with all heavy machinery, care must be taken to ensure that the appropriate technical limitations of the equipment are respected and its use is as intended.


Our experienced team of engineers and technical staff can help you choose the tube lifter that meets your needs, improving the efficiency and safety of your building site or material handling operation by ensuring you have the ‘right tool for the job.’


Let us do the heavy lifting for you. Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation and quote.


Applications


VacuPowerlift

The application areas of the VacuPowerlift are almost limitless. It is being used in many industries and trade companies to simplify production processes and to increase the profitability.

 
  • Packing and logistics for cardboard boxes
  • Chemical and pharmaceutical industry for drums and containers
  • Window and solar industry for window panes and prefab parts
  • Wood, plastic and sheet metal industry for plate materials
  • Construction industry for stones and concrete parts
  • Loading of CNC machines
  • Handling of machines and machine parts
  • Electronical industry for electrical appliances
  • and many more.


VacuQuicklift

The VacuQuicklift is available in two basic designs. On the one hand for strictly horizontal lifting, on the other hand with manual swivelling which allows to manually tip over workpieces. In both cases the VacuQuicklift is controlled with only one control lever which makes the handling very easy and ergonomical.   With the free hand the loads can be maneuvred to the required place. The VacuQuicklift not only relieves the daily work strain on the operator, but also increases the profitability in many areas.

 
  • Commissioning, placing cardboard boxes in and out of storage
  • Handling canisters, containers and small drums
  • Handling baggage in airports
  • Handling sacks and packages
  • Handling plastic moulded parts


Accessories & Options

There is a multitude and variety of standard vacuum heads available for various tasks. These vacuum heads allow the VacuPowerlift and VacuQuiklift to be changed to individual applications easily.

Enquire about the multiplicity of these units and find the proper solution for your handling task.


















Our Process


On-Site Consultation

A Stratalign lifting specialist will respond to your enquiry promptly and arrange an on-site visit to assess your specific needs and obtain all technical data and dimensions etc. to suit your individual requirements.


Design

Based on your criteria design engineers will prepare a customised lifting system design or present a combination of product recommendations that will resolve your lifting & materials handling challenges while meeting all safety and operational requirements.


Production

Once you have approved the system design or product solution Stratalign coordinates production, assembly & procurement of all the components to ensure a seamless fulfilment of your valued order to meet your delivery or installation deadlines. This includes pre-delivery checking of all major mechanical or electrical items.


Installation

The Stratalign team’s service package doesn’t stop with delivery of your order. Experienced personnel will arrange to carry out the installation and set-up of your lifting solution and can even attend to foundation or structural modifications if necessary.


Commissioning

On completion of delivery & installation Stratalign representatives will commission the new machinery or equipment to ensure it is fully operational and that your team are familiar with all the features and capabilities that will take your productivity to new heights.


Tawa Door Company - Case Study


The Requirement


Tawa Door Company, one of Stratalign’s clients, had a logistics and manual handling challenge within their warehouse process. Our client needed to lift packages of all shapes and sizes, from 25kg to 80kg from an assembly/ packaging area to pallets ready for distribution. There was a chance, this repetitive process could cause health and safety issues with their staff.

The Challenge


Although a vacuum lifting system was the obvious choice for this application, the challenge lay with building a support structure to hang a tube lifter off.

Solution to a long-standing challenge


As a solution to a long standing challenge, Cabtec Ltd purchased a Fezer vacuum lifter from Stratalign Limited, for processing product through a processing line. Prior to the purchase, the process had required manual handling, which in today's environment, is not a sustainable option.

More than one option for this solution was investigated by Cabtec with the decision being a vacuum lifter as the winning choice. Cabtec's spokesman recalls, Cabtec selected Stratalign as the winning supplier, based on their ability to provide the technical and professional advice, along with what Cabec considered a top quality product for a competitive price.

The ease of operation is facilitated by the very smooth running bearings and movement points, integral to this structurally sound piece of kit. He continues, From the day the order was placed, the Stratalign team kept us updated with progress, to the day the machine was installed.

The installation process was organized in such a way, by Stratalign, that it caused absolute minimal disruption to a very busy working environment during normal working hours.

CABTEC LTD

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