Wednesday, 8 July 2015

Vacuum Lifting for Glass Lifting Projects



Glass is a material which has been used for many years in architecture and with the rise of more courageous designs, glass as a preference for building material is growing.
One problem with this is the need to lift and move the vast sheets of glass during construction. To overcome this, vacuum lifting systems have been used to transport and install glass panels over the last 50 years. When it comes to a smooth, non-porous glass surface, a vacuum lifting system is best suited for the job.
Furthermore, there is the possibility of using other elevator systems purely for load design.
In addition to the "normal" requirements for manual vacuum lifting, there is equipment that can rotate 360°, 180° and 90° with a load capacity of 300 kg and 800 kg. Heavier loads require motorised operations for these movements. However, the vacuum lifting system with a capacity up to 600 kg is the most widely used.
Nowadays vacuum systems like this are required more often because of the increase in complex contours of buildings, increasing demands for thermal insulation, higher buildings and the growing size of the glass panels installed.
Self-closing mechanisms for turning movements and rotation allow controlled positioning of the glass load, in a safe and economical manner. With detachable arm extensions, one can set the system to move pieces of different sizes, making it a very versatile way to operate.


The vacuum lifting equipment of larger capacities is often used in conjunction with hydraulic or electrical systems when heavy loads are handled. These systems can be manoeuvred by cable or radio remote control.
The hydraulic system performs the rotation of the load. This piece of equipment does not depend on any external power source.
Positioning systems with a hydraulic drive can also be combined with special suction tools, for installing convex or concave panels. In some cases, three hydraulic cylinders are accurately positioned, easily allowing the suctioned panels to be applied. The rotating suction cups, which are adjustable, make this system able to handle different formats of glass panels.
Installing glass facades using lifting equipment mounted on scaffolding vacuum is a challenge. Normally there are only 30 cm of separation between the scaffold and the façade, insufficient to operate the lift system with built-away glass panels. This is especially true when the panel must be rotated to fit in the place of installation. The necessary pivot joint and binding crane arm require that the depth of the system is at least 18 to 20 cm. In these conditions it is not possible to secure installation of the glass panel.
One such system that is very popular amongst contractors is the Glassboy – a state of the art piece of Vacuum Glass Lifting Equipment.
The key benefits of this is that it is both compact and reliable, being powered by an internal, re-chargeable battery. The GlassBoy glass lifter has a 360° rotation with locking facility every 90°, alongside a lifting capacity of 500kg. Being compact, it is also easy to transport and install in many locations, making it an ideal choice for lots of different kinds of glass lifting projects.


If you need any more advice or to book our glassboy for glass installation, call 0845 603 7180 or fill in our inquiry form


1 comment:

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