How do I choose the right vacuum lifter?
A vacuum lifter holds a load purely through the negative pressure between cup and workpiece. This guide shows how to size holding force, cup count and safety reserve by material, surface, weight and tightness, and how to protect against vacuum loss.
View vacuum liftersHow does a vacuum lifter work and what matters first?
A vacuum lifter creates negative pressure between an elastic cup and the workpiece surface. The surrounding atmospheric pressure then presses the load against the cup and holds it. The usable holding force depends on the effective cup area and the vacuum reached, not on the weight of the device itself.
Before selecting a unit, define four values: the material, the surface (smooth or porous), the weight of the load and the tightness between cup and material. Only these figures determine cup count, cup diameter and the required pump capacity.
How do you match cups to material and surface?
Smooth, tight surfaces such as glass, painted sheet metal or polished stone suit flat standard cups. Porous or textured materials such as raw concrete, wood or cardboard let air flow in and need either special cups with a foam sealing lip or a stronger pump that compensates the leakage flow.
- Clean oily or dusty surfaces first, otherwise the sealing lip breaks contact.
- Support warm or flexible plastic sheets at several points to avoid sagging.
- For rough materials increase the number of cups rather than only the diameter.
Which safety reserve protects against vacuum loss?
Under EN 13155 a vacuum-operated lifting device must hold the rated load with at least twice the value. A safety factor of 2 therefore applies to tight surfaces, while porous or hard-to-seal materials are often calculated with factor 2.5. The theoretical holding force is divided by this factor to obtain the permissible load.
Against sudden vacuum loss you rely on a check valve, a vacuum reservoir and a visual or audible warning that triggers when pressure drops. On power-driven lifters the load must be held for a defined time in the event of a power failure.
- Gauge or vacuum switch with a clearly marked target range.
- Vacuum reservoir bridges short pressure drops when the pump stops.
- Check valve prevents backflow into the cups.
- Warning signal when the vacuum falls below the permitted level.
- Regular visual and functional inspection of the sealing lips.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the required holding force?
Multiply the effective cup area by the working vacuum and divide the result by the safety factor. If one cup is not enough, spread the load across several cups.
Which safety factor applies to vacuum lifters?
Under EN 13155 at least factor 2 on tight surfaces. For porous or hard-to-seal materials factor 2.5 is usually applied.
What happens during a power failure?
A vacuum reservoir and a check valve hold the pressure for a defined time. A warning signal prompts you to set the load down safely at once.
Can I lift porous materials such as concrete?
Yes, but only with special cups and a pump that compensates the leakage flow. The permissible load is clearly lower than on smooth surfaces.
Looking for the right vacuum lifter?
We supply vacuum lifters for glass, sheet metal, wood and porous materials - with a proven safety reserve to EN 13155 and protection against vacuum loss.
Standard tested
Devices comply with EN 13155 for lifting equipment.
Reserve included
Sized with a safety factor of 2 to 2.5.
Fail-safe
Vacuum reservoir, check valve and warning signal.
Expert advice
We match cup and pump to your material.