Vacuum Lifters & Vacuum Lifting Systems

Vacuum lifters use suction through vacuum pads or lifting heads to grip, lift, move, rotate, and place loads without mechanical clamping or manual handling. This makes heavy, awkward or delicate items safer and quicker to handle.

• • Improves Workplace Safety
    Reduces the risk of manual handling injuries by letting operators lift heavy or awkward items with minimal effort.
  • Boosts Productivity
    Speeds up lifting, moving and positioning, so tasks are completed faster.
  • Handles a Wide Range of Loads
    Boxes, sacks, panels, sheet materials, barrels and more, with lifting heads to suit each load.
  • Suitable for Hygienic Environments
    Stainless steel options for food, pharmaceutical and medical applications.
  • Reduces Product Damage
    Vacuum lifting avoids crushing, tearing or marking delicate or high-value goods.
  • Ergonomic Operation
    Reduces operator fatigue during repetitive lifting tasks.

When thinking of acquiring (or upgrading) a vacuum lifting system, keep the following factors in mind:

1. Load Type, Material & Surface
   • The shape, weight, surface finish and rigidity of what you’re lifting affect suction pad design (size, material, flexibility).
   • Smooth, non-porous surfaces work best for vacuum; porous or irregular surfaces might require special pad materials or seal designs.
2. Capacity & Reach
   • What is the maximum weight you will lift? Packline start with 25-100 kg standard for many units; with higher capacities when needed.
   • How far must the lifting arm or reach extend? Floor, wall, ceiling or crane/hoist mounted all have different constraints.
3. Mounting & Mobility
   • Is it fixed (floor/wall), overhead, crane-mounted, or portable (on counterbalance base, forklift mount etc.)?
   • Mobility can be important if you need to move the equipment to different locations.
4. Power & Controls
   • What vacuum pump/power supply is needed? Some need electricity, DC, single-phase, etc.; some need compressed air for rotation or tilting.
   • Control systems (on/off, rotation/tilt control, safety interlocks) and safety standards (CE, UKCA) are essential.
5. Hygiene & Clean Room Considerations
   • If used in food, pharma or medical settings, stainless steel, hygienic design, surfaces that are easy to clean, minimal nooks are very important. Packline provides stainless steel construction options.
6. Safety, Maintenance & Regulations
   • Vacuum systems must have fail-safe features to prevent accidental drop (loss of vacuum).
   • Regular maintenance of suction pads, seals, vacuum pump.
   • Documentation, risk assessments, staff training must accompany installation.

• Trial & Demo: Whenever possible, get a demonstration or trial using your actual load. That helps ensure suction pads grip well, reach is sufficient, and layout works.
• Specify for Peak Loads, Not Just Average: Design for the heaviest use case plus margin.
• Consider Multiple Heads / Pads: For large or irregular items, using multiple suction heads or a modular pad array helps distribute load and get reliable lift.
• Rotation & Tilt: If your process requires flipping, rotating or tilting materials, specify these capabilities up front—some models provide 180° or full 360° rotation.
• Ease of Cleaning: In hygienic environments, ability to wash down, smooth surfaces, and use of stainless steel will reduce contamination risk.
• Spare Parts & Support: Pads, seals wear; make sure replacements are available, that the supplier offers maintenance and service. Packline handles design, manufacture and support in the UK.

• UK Designed and Manufactured
  All Packline vacuum lifters are designed and manufactured at our UK premises.
• Bespoke Solutions for Your Application
  From food and pharmaceutical to manufacturing and packaging, we build vacuum lifters with the lifting heads, reach and mounting to suit your loads.
• Over 30 Years’ Experience
  Packline has designed and manufactured lifting and handling equipment since 1993.
• UK Service and Support
  We provide servicing, maintenance and replacement parts for our vacuum lifting systems from our UK base.