Imagine a vacuum tube lifter holding a carton or bag in mid-air when the power suddenly goes out. Will the load drop immediately?
With an Aardwolf Vacuum Tube Lifter, the system is designed so that the load is not suddenly released during a power failure. Instead, the load lowers gradually and in a controlled manner.
For the operator, this provides valuable time to respond and bring the load to a safe position, helping reduce the risk of an unexpected drop and potential damage to the goods being handled.
Controlled lowering during a power failure also reflects how Aardwolf considers safety throughout the design and selection of the complete vacuum tube lifting system.
A Power Failure Does Not Mean an Immediate Load Release
During normal operation, the vacuum source, lifting tube, suction head and suction pad work together to lift and hold the load. The suction pad is fitted to the suction head and makes direct contact with the surface of the material being handled.
If the power supply is interrupted, the vacuum source stops operating, but the holding force does not disappear immediately.
The Aardwolf Vacuum Tube Lifter is designed so that the vacuum decreases gradually, allowing the load to lower in a controlled manner rather than being suddenly released.
The practical benefit is additional time for the operator to control the load and bring it to a safe position. In warehouses, packing areas and production lines where people and equipment often work within the same environment, this controlled response can help reduce risks to operators, products and the surrounding work area.
Lifting the Load Is Not Enough – A Safety Margin Matters
Being able to lift a particular weight is not the only consideration when selecting a vacuum tube lifter.
Aardwolf incorporates a safety factor into the design and selection of the Vacuum Tube Lifter, providing an appropriate safety margin rather than sizing the system only to the nominal weight of the load.
This matters because two loads with the same weight may behave very differently when handled by vacuum.
A rigid carton with a relatively airtight surface, for example, presents different handling conditions from a flexible bag or an air-permeable material.
Weight is therefore important, but it is not the only factor that determines the appropriate vacuum tube lifting configuration.
For the customer, this means the system is evaluated around the actual lifting application, rather than simply matching a lifting capacity to a number on the load.
Safer Handling Can Also Make the Job Easier
The benefits of a Vacuum Tube Lifter extend beyond its response to an unexpected power failure.
When handling cartons and bags or performing repetitive palletising and depalletising tasks, operators may lift, bend, reach and twist repeatedly throughout a shift.
With an Aardwolf Vacuum Tube Lifter, the system provides most of the lifting effort while the operator primarily guides, moves and positions the load.
This can make repetitive handling tasks easier, reduce reliance on manual lifting and support better workplace ergonomics. With less physical effort required for each lift, operators can focus more on controlling and positioning the load accurately.
The Right Configuration Starts With the Material Being Lifted
Selecting the appropriate Vacuum Tube Lifter requires an understanding of the actual application, not just the load weight.
The Aardwolf team evaluates factors such as:
material type;
weight and dimensions;
load shape;
surface characteristics and air permeability;
lifting frequency;
pick-up and placement positions; and
the required movement of the load.
Based on this information, Aardwolf can recommend the appropriate suction head, suction pad and overall Vacuum Tube Lifter configuration for the material and handling process.
The suction pad is particularly important because it is the component that makes direct contact with the load. A pad suitable for a flat, relatively airtight carton may not be suitable for a flexible bag or an air-permeable surface.
Selecting the system around the actual application allows the suction head, suction pad and other components to work together as a complete lifting solution while providing the required level of load control and safety margin.
Handling cartons, bags or another type of material? Share your load details and handling process with our team. Aardwolf can evaluate your application and recommend the right Vacuum Tube Lifter configuration – from the suction head and suction pad to the complete system. Contact Aardwolf to discuss the right lifting solution for your application.
