Model 222 Vacuum Lifting Beam

Model 222 Vacuum Lifting Beam — Custom-Engineered Sheet and Plate Handling for Primary Metal Industries

The Model 222 Vacuum Lifting Beam is a custom-designed material handling solution built for lifting large sheets and plates of metal in primary metal industry operations and related industrial environments. Engineered to your specific material weight and size requirements, this lifting beam accommodates both ferrous and non-ferrous materials and can handle loads at temperatures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Units are operated via pendant, crane-mounted controls, or radio controls, and every beam is custom designed per application to meet the demands of your specific operation. This product is available through direct order and requires a consultation to configure correctly for your application.

Technical Specifications

Unlike standard off-the-shelf lifting devices, the Model 222 is engineered specifically around your material dimensions, weight, and operating conditions — including hot material handling capability that most vacuum lifters cannot accommodate. The trolley-mounted crossarm design and adjustable vacuum pads allow a single unit to handle a wide range of sheet and plate sizes, reducing the need for multiple dedicated tools on the floor.

Key Features & Benefits

Trolley-Mounted Adjustable Crossarms

Crossarms are trolley mounted, allowing operators to reposition them quickly and easily to accommodate varying material sizes. Vacuum pads and crossarms are both adjustable, giving a single lifting beam the flexibility to handle a wide range of sheet and plate dimensions without reconfiguration downtime.

Hot Material Handling Up to 600°F

The Model 222 is rated to handle material at temperatures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for use directly in mill and heat-processing environments. This capability eliminates the need to wait for material to cool before moving it, improving throughput in high-temperature operations.

Vacuum Reserve System

A built-in vacuum reserve system maintains hold on the load during a temporary power failure, providing a critical safety buffer in the event of an unexpected interruption. This feature is essential in mill-duty environments where a dropped load could result in serious injury or significant material damage.

Single Sheet/Plate Handling Assurance

The system is designed to assure single sheet or plate handling, preventing the accidental pickup of multiple sheets simultaneously. This reduces the risk of product damage and improves accuracy in material staging and processing operations.

Safety Indicator Lights

Integrated safety indicator lights provide operators with a clear visual confirmation of vacuum status during lifts. This real-time feedback helps prevent premature release and supports safe operation in busy, high-noise industrial environments.

Quick Attachment and Release Design

The design of the Model 222 assures quick attachment and release, minimizing cycle times between lifts. Faster attachment and release directly translates to higher throughput in sheet and plate handling workflows.

Common Applications

Primary Metal Industry Sheet and Plate Handling

The Model 222 is purpose-built for moving large metal sheets and plates in steel mills, aluminum processing facilities, and other primary metal production environments, including handling of hot material directly off processing lines.

Hot Material Transfer

With a rated maximum material temperature of 600°F, the beam is suited for transferring freshly processed or heat-treated plates without requiring a cool-down period before lifting.

Wide-Range Sheet Size Handling

The adjustable vacuum pads and trolley-mounted crossarms allow the unit to handle a broad range of sheet and plate sizes within a single operation, making it effective in facilities that process multiple product dimensions.

Crane-Integrated Material Positioning

With crane-mounted control options and optional powered rotation for horizontal location, the Model 222 integrates directly into overhead crane systems for precise material positioning on the shop floor.

Compatible Materials

• Ferrous metals (steel, iron-based alloys)
• Non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper, and other non-magnetic metals)
• Hot material up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit
• Dry, oily, banded, or loose sheet/plate stock
• Palletized and non-palletized loads

Product Options

Product Documents

• Download Catalog
• Download Eval Application Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Model 222 available as a standard off-the-shelf product?
A: No. The Model 222 is custom designed per application based on your specific material weight, size, temperature, and operational requirements. Contact DTS at 800.628.4263 to begin the configuration process.

Q: Can the Model 222 handle non-magnetic materials like aluminum?
A: Yes. The vacuum-based lifting system handles both ferrous and non-ferrous materials, making it suitable for aluminum, copper, and other non-magnetic metals that cannot be handled by magnetic lifters.

Q: What happens if power is lost during a lift?
A: The Model 222 includes a vacuum reserve system specifically designed to hold the load during a temporary power failure, providing a safety buffer until power is restored or the load can be safely set down.

Q: What control configurations are available?
A: The unit can be operated via pendant controls, crane-mounted controls, or radio controls. The appropriate configuration is specified at the time of order based on your crane setup and operational preferences.

Q: What service class ratings are available for the Model 222?
A: The Model 222 is available in Service Class 3 (500,001 to 2,000,000 load cycles) and Service Class 4 (over 2,000,000 load cycles), selectable based on your required fatigue life. CMAA Crane Duty Classes A through F are also specifiable per application.