Vacuum Lifters and Vacuum Handling Solutions

Explore euroTECH’s comprehensive range of Vacuum Lifters and Vacuum Handling Solutions, engineered to elevate industrial productivity and workplace safety. From lightweight materials like glass and plastic to heavy sheet metal and timber, our vacuum handling systems offer modular flexibility, ergonomic operation, and seamless integration into your workflow. Each device is crafted to meet rigorous safety standards, featuring customizable suction plates and intuitive controls. Whether you’re in construction, manufacturing, or logistics, our solutions deliver reliable, time-saving performance, empowering your team to handle materials precisely, confidently, and efficiently.

What is a Vacuum Lifter?

A vacuum lifter is a type of ergonomic lifting aid that empowers a single operator to safely lift and manipulate loads weighing hundreds of kilograms—sometimes up to 600 lb (≈270 kg)—without physical strain or maneuvering bulky straps and hooks. Its core components include suction pads, a vacuum pump, a control handle, and safety mechanisms designed to support precise material handling.

How It Works

1. Suction pads and sealing gasket: Made of flexible materials like rubber or silicone, suction cups conform to a surface and create an airtight seal. Gaskets and ergonomic cup shapes further reinforce that seal for irregular surfaces.

    

2. Vacuum pump and pressure control: The vacuum pump, either electric or pneumatic, evacuates air from the pad area via tubing and channels, producing negative pressure. Once the desired vacuum level is reached, the load is firmly held in place. The operator can adjust lifting height and suction strength using the control handle.

    

3. Attachment and lifting: The lifter presses the suction pad(s) against the load, air is evacuated, and atmospheric pressure locks the load in place. Lifting mechanisms, whether manual or motor-driven, enable effortless transport of the secured item.
4. Release mechanism: A quick-release valve or vent allows air back into the suction chamber, breaking the seal and depositing the load safely.

Applications and Benefits

Vacuum lifters are widely used for handling materials such as glass, sheet metal, plastics, timber, and even porous goods such as bags and stone slabs in construction, manufacturing, logistics, and packaging. They offer several key advantages:

• Safety: Reduces manual lifting and minimizes the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.

   

• Efficiency: Operators maintain consistent speed and strength throughout their shifts without fatigue.

   

• Versatility: Adapts to various load shapes and materials thanks to customizable suction plate geometries.

   

• Precision: Enables fine placement and control, ideal for delicate tasks in industries like glass installation and CNC machining.

Vacuum Lifters and Vacuum Handling Solutions for Industrial Applications 

Vacuum lifters are indispensable across a wide spectrum of industrial applications, offering ergonomic, precise, and reliable material handling:

Construction and Woodworking

In construction, vacuum systems enable the safe positioning of glass panels, stone slabs, and heavy wooden boards without the need for manual force or cumbersome slings. In woodworking, they streamline loading and aligning of MDF, plywood, and OSB boards on CNC machines, reducing downtime and repeatability errors.

Glass and Window Manufacturing

Glass handling requires exact placement and gentle handling to avoid damage. Vacuum lifters with specialized suction cups are ideal for gripping smooth or-coated glass surfaces, supporting processes like cutting, tempering, or installation.

Metal and Sheet Handling

Sheet metal, steel, or aluminum plates can be efficiently lifted, rotated, and transferred using vacuum lifters. These systems are commonly integrated on laser-cutting lines, fabrication workstations, warehouses, and shipyards.

Packaging and Logistics Centers

In logistics, vacuum lifters enhance picking, packing, loading, and unloading workflows. They can manage boxes, bags, drums, pallets, and other variable goods, helping to reduce physical strain and boost processing speeds.

By integrating vacuum lifters in these sectors, companies benefit from increased throughput, reduced risk of workplace injuries, and superior handling precision, ultimately driving efficiency and safety in high-volume operations.

Our Modern Handling Solutions for Professional Use

euroTECH’s vacuum lifters are organized into tailored models, each engineered to address specific industrial material-handling needs. With modular design and advanced safety features, these systems offer top-tier performance across diverse applications.

eT-Hover-panel

Designed for horizontal lifting of vacuum-tight materials such as glass panes, plastic sheets, or dense wooden panels. This model supports loads up to 4,000 kg and aligns seamlessly with crane systems.

eT-Hover-univac

A versatile, compact vacuum lifter capable of horizontal and vertical handling. The standard configuration handles 360 kg vertically and 500 kg horizontally, expandable to 700 kg with extension arms and extra suction plates. It supports 360° rotation and 90° pivoting (manually or electrically), integrated control—with options for wired or radio remote control, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.

eT-Gripper

A specialized vacuum area gripper suitable for handling materials with varying porosity and airtightness, including wood, metal, stone, or composite panels by adapting to diverse surface characteristics.

eT-Hover-element

This model supports both horizontal and vertical handling and manual pivoting, with a maximum load capacity of 1,000 kg, ideal for heavy or larger-format materials.

eT-Hover-allround

The modular all-rounder, capable of horizontal/vertical lifting, 360° rotation, and 90° pivoting. Lightweight (≈85 kg) yet robust, it accommodates loads up to 500 kg, and its intuitive control panel includes suction, ventilation, crane, swivel, and rotation functions.

eT-Hover-univac-line

A compact variant of the Hover‑univac, the univac‑line offers the same handling flexibility, horizontal/vertical lifting, pivoting, and manual rotation, while maintaining a lightweight profile and standard load capabilities.

Features of euroTECH’s Vacuum Lifters and Vacuum Handling Solutions

euroTECH’s vacuum lifters are packed with practical design features that drive performance, safety, and user comfort:

• Compliance with modern safety standards: Every model meets current regulations, featuring dual-circuit systems, vacuum gauges with green/red zones, audible and visual alarms, and two-handed quick-release venting.
• Expandable crossbars and suction plates: Customizable layouts with adjustable crossbars support diverse load geometries and can be scaled for different weight and surface area requirements.
• Ergonomic integrated controls: Centralized handle units manage suction, ventilation, lifting, rotation, and pivoting, streamlining operation and reducing physical strain.
• Quick-release ventilation: Ensures rapid unloading of materials, boosting workflow efficiency.
• Wide range of seal geometries and materials: Various suction cup shapes and seal materials accommodate different surfaces, porous or airtight, for maximum grip and versatility.

Why Choose euroTECH?

When choosing a vacuum lifter provider, euroTECH stands out for several compelling reasons:

• Decades of expertise: Established in 1996, euroTECH has become a trusted name in vacuum handling technology, initially in components and now offering full handling systems with deep domain experience.

   

• End-to-end solutions: From initial design to implementation and handover, euroTECH supports clients through every stage, covering component selection, custom system development, and installation.

   

• Tailored handling systems: Solutions are customized for loading, stacking, and order-picking tasks, optimizing operations in sectors like glass, wood, logistics, and automotive.

   

• Robust engineering support: Their modular systems, including vacuum tanks/reservoirs, ensure consistent lifting performance, safety, and durability during power fluctuations or peak operations.

   

Ready to streamline your material handling? Download the full product catalog here: euroTECH Vacuum Lifters Catalog (PDF)