ACIMEX - Manutention industrielle de charges lourdes

How does vacuum handling work? Vacuum handling using suction cups is simple. A pump sucks in the vacuum between the suction cup and the part to be lifted, and stores this vacuum in a chamber dedicated for this purpose. By creating a vacuum, the atmospheric pressure is eliminated in the suction cup enclosure. The product is then pressed against the suction cup by this same atmospheric pressure of 1 kg/cm² (which varies from 950 to 1030 hectopascals); consequently, on a suction cup of 1 m² there is a pressure of 10,000 kg, making it capable of raising this same load. This physical phenomenon makes handling by suction cups an extremely efficient and reliable technique, capable of performing a very large number of handling operations.

The manufacture of segments is a significant operation which requires the creation of a large manufacturing plant and very significant handling means, given the weight and size of these bulky loads. Indeed, the weight of a single segment can vary from 3 to 17 tonnes. On site, ACIMEX lifters have many uses in the plant and in storage areas: standalone vacuum lifters and storage grabs are frequently used by our customers as well as stripping lifters, turners, triple clamps or tables.

The vacuum lifters designed by ACIMEX guarantee enhanced safety on construction sites because only one worker is needed to operate the vacuum lifter. Consequently, the movements are performed remotely, which enables the technician not to be in contact with the part.

ACIMEX vacuum lifters are fitted with high temperature (350°) silicon suction cups, which allow steel plates of up to 30 tonnes maximum to be gripped. Between the furnace outlet and the next operation in the manufacturing process, they reduce waiting time and increase productivity. This leading-edge versatile equipment scans the length and width of the steel plates and so determines which suction cups will be appropriate to grip the plate in order to optimize the safety of their grip; and this takes place regardless of the type of material (steel, aluminium, stainless steel, copper, brass, bronze, lead, etc.).

Thanks to ACIMEX equipment, a single person is enough to handle the lifting and depositing of the tubes, up to a maximum weight of 30 tonnes. The machines can also be used to ensure vertical and horizontal handling or rotation of the loads. Finally, their nesting is performed without any human intervention. This represents a significant asset for companies in the energy sector who also see their productivity increase significantly thanks to the various vacuum lifters:

Fitted with rubber suction cups with various shapes and dimensions, ACIMEX aircraft lifters guarantee full respect for the integrity of the parts. An advantage for businesses in the aircraft sector who work daily with parts machined from expensive and noble materials with high added value, such as the carbon. These automatic handling devices can lift up to five tonnes, and guarantee that the aeronautical parts are not damaged or deformed. In addition, these machines with their two separate vacuum circuits provide optimum safety for the operator. The handling equipment that ACIMEX designs thus provides safety and reliability in aircraft sector factories.

Breakwater grabs custom designed by ACIMEX ensure accurate positioning of breakwaters by means of their various inclination and rotation functions. They also serve for gripping blocks when moving them by overhead travelling crane, crane, stacker or forklift truck from the production building to the storage area. The breakwater grab meets all the technical specifications necessary for the precise positioning of breakwaters according to a pre-established layout. Evidence of this is provided by VINCI and CLI, who work in the construction and consolidation of dykes in port areas using ACIMEX machines.

Bespoke machines are pieces of equipment installed on production lines (handling line, output line, etc.) and which are used to move different types of heavy loads from point A to point B (storage area). ACIMEX is specialized in the manufacture of equipment fitted with suction cups which detect the weight, the diameter and the size of heavy loads in order to grip them in complete safety and so facilitate the production process. Using its know-how in custom design and manufacture, ACIMEX innovates constantly to create bespoke machines that meet the needs of each of its customers. Two types of bespoke machines have been developped at the beginning of 2017 in ACIMEX factories, one to grip sandwich panels of 160 kg safely, and the other to move and store graphite electrodes. Evidence, once again, that ACIMEX offers turnkey solutions to its customers, and this regardless of the type of handling performed.