WOLIFT Pneumatic Vacuum Lifting Device for Sheet Loading on 3015/4020 Laser Cutting Machines
In production environments using 3015 and 4020 laser cutting machines, loading carbon steel and stainless steel sheets is a frequent and physically demanding task. WOLIFT provided a 500 kg pneumatic vacuum lifting device with a column mounted jib crane to help operators move sheets from pallets to the cutting table more safely and efficiently.
Table size
3015 / 4020
Load capacity
500 kg
Power source
Compressed air
Jib arm
4 m customized arm
The challenge: heavy sheet loading before laser cutting
As sheet thickness increases, individual metal sheets can weigh several hundred kilograms. Manual handling is slow, physically demanding and can create risks such as surface scratches, operator back injuries and collisions with the cutting table. For workshops with repeated loading and unloading cycles, the goal is not only to lift the sheet, but also to control it smoothly during positioning near the machine.The solution: compressed-air vacuum lifting with jib crane support
WOLIFT configured a pneumatic vacuum lifting device together with a column mounted jib crane. The system uses the compressed air supply that is commonly available near laser cutting machines. Compressed air enters the integrated vacuum generator and is converted into negative pressure at the suction cups. The lifting movement is driven by pneumatic cylinders, so no mains electrical power or additional on-site wiring is required for the lifter itself.The whole system is designed for simple daily use: suction, lift, move, position and release.
Why the rigid connection makes operation easier
The lifting cylinder and the column mounted jib are connected through a rigid linkage. Compared with flexible wire rope or chain suspension, the rigid connection helps reduce sheet swing during movement. The jib slewing section uses rolling-element bearings, which reduces resistance when the operator pushes the load. Even with a 500 kg sheet, the operator can guide the movement at low speed without constantly correcting load sway.
Suction cup configuration and safety margin
The device is equipped with six vacuum suction cups with a diameter of 230 mm. Each cup has a nominal suction force of 100 kg under a safety factor of 2, giving a total rated suction force of 600 kg for the six cups. The device rated load is 500 kg, leaving a practical margin. This redundancy helps improve handling stability, but continuous full-load lifting with one cup inactive is not recommended.The result: safer and more efficient sheet loading
For laser cutting workshops that already have compressed air, this WOLIFT pneumatic vacuum lifting system provides a straightforward sheet loading solution. It reduces heavy manual lifting, helps protect sheet surfaces and improves control during movement from pallet to cutting table. The 4-meter jib arm can cover common loading paths for 3015 and 4020 laser cutting machines while keeping a small floor footprint and avoiding interference with the machine gantry.Case video
The video shows how the WOLIFT pneumatic vacuum lifting device supports sheet loading in a laser cutting workshop. Operators can pick up the sheet by vacuum suction, lift it with compressed-air cylinder power, and move it smoothly to the cutting table with the column mounted jib crane.RFQ questions for a similar sheet loading solution
Before selecting a pneumatic vacuum lifting device for laser cutting sheet loading, customers usually need to confirm the following points.Can the lifter work with our existing compressed air supply?
Yes, the system is designed to use compressed air as the power source. Air pressure, air volume and connection distance should be checked before quotation.Is 500 kg enough for our sheet size and thickness?
The rated capacity should be selected according to the maximum sheet weight. For 3015 and 4020 laser cutting tables, sheet material, thickness and size are the key RFQ details.How many suction cups are needed for safe sheet handling?
This case uses six 230 mm suction cups. The final suction cup quantity and layout should match the sheet size, surface condition and required safety margin.Can the jib crane cover our loading path?
The jib arm length, column height and rotation range can be customized according to the pallet position, cutting table location and workshop layout.ENGINEERING SUPPORT
Contact WOLIFTDiscuss a similar handling requirement
Share the workpiece data and site conditions for an initial engineering review.