Aerospace Vacuum Lifting Tools

1 - Small Wing Vacuum Manipulator
This aircraft foreplane and its opposite can be lifted from any position and placed in a number of jigs during final assembly and inspection.
2 - Small Wing Vacuum Manipulator
By gripping the forplane at a known position determined by datum markers, the foreplane can by automatically aligned so that the mounting spigot is vertical within 1° . This repeatable operation allows placement of the spigot in a close tolerance bearing mounting.
3 - Small Wing Vacuum Manipulator
The vacuum lifter has a safe working load of 70Kgs and is a self contained battery powered unit. The unit eliminates manual handling and the need for various lifting jigs as the load can be manipulated into all desired positions.
4 - Composite Wing Vacuum Lifter - 800Kg SWL.
Wing skins and co-bonded assemblies for the Eurofighter were handled in various stages of build by this equipment. The vacuum pad array was designed to pass in between spars and pylons to lift from the inner wing surface as well as from the outer top surface of the wing assembly, a geared motor unit facilitates 320° rotation and a heavy duty actuator provides 110° of tilt. Each vacuum pad is controlled independently and can automatically isolate if a leak is detected.
5 - Wing Skin Vacuum Lifter - 90Kgs SWL
Carbon fibre wing skins for the Saab Grippen are lifted using this versatile lifter, horizontal to vertical tilt and 300° rotation enable one man to lift and orientate this high value load.
6 - Wing Assembly Vacuum Lifter - 1100Kgs SWL
The Eurofighter wing assembly was built in the vertical plane. As with other equipment powered rotation & tilting facilitate manipulation of the wing into the desired position. Seen here lifting a test load at mid rotation point with 'Root Rib' vertical.
7 - Wing Assembly Vacuum Lifter - 1100Kgs SWL
Designed for lifting the complete wing assembly, this tool was complemented by a similar version designed to lift the skins & co-bonded lower skin assembly.
8 - Canopy Vacuum Lifter
Typhoon cockpit canopies requiring carefull handling and fitting are handled by this vacuum lifter. Adjustable pad arms allow two types of canopy to be handled. In addition operators can adjust the gape of the canopy edges to fit perfectly with the fastening rebate, thus preventing damage to the edges of the acrylic plastic and eliminating the risk of finger trapping.
9 - Curved Profile Vacuum Lifter
Seen here lifting flat material, profiled aircraft panels with acute concave & convex contours are handled by this vacuum lifter. Skins scan be lifted from either side and almost any orientation.
10 - Curved Profile Vacuum Lifter
An electric actuator provides horizontal to vertical tilting and landscape to portrait rotation is by manual swivel.
Aircraft Component Vacuum Lifters
Over the last 20 plus years Kilner Vacuumation have designed and manufactured a range of vacuum lifters for aircraft wing, door and canopy applications. We have worked closely with a number of aircraft manufacturers, lifting contoured composites and titanium components.

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