As process optimisers with high safety standards, vacuum lifting devices from AERO-LIFT have long since become indispensable in the sheet metal and timber industry. The successful example of ezee Energy shows that the vacuum lifting technology specialist from Baden-Württemberg also offers smart solutions for handling PV modules.

The company from Geislingen-Binsdorf in the Zollernalb district specialises in renewable energies. It offers sophisticated concepts for its partner companies from the solar installer, plumber and heating engineer trades, which it also supplies with the necessary products. The need for supporting solutions is increasing, particularly when it comes to separating photovoltaic modules for the respective customers and installation teams, as several deliveries have to be picked every day. The manual handling process requires at least two people due to the weight of the individual modules and to protect the material. There is a risk that one of the unwieldy modules could fall down and break. There is also the aspect of ergonomics. Reasons enough to think about optimising this work process. Due to the neighbouring company locations, the obvious solution was to knock on the door of the vacuum technology professionals next door.

After analysing the existing work process, the engineers at AERO-LIFT developed a special solution for the PV industry. Using the AERO 135/12M-SK, several photovoltaic modules can be sucked in from above at the same time, allowing them to be removed from or inserted into cardboard boxes with pinpoint accuracy, for example. The soft, flexible seals of the suction plates ensure that the modules are sucked in safely and can be transported from A to B without damaging the material. The distance between the individual suction plates can be variably adjusted. Conversion to solar modules of different widths is therefore a breeze. Special positioning aids are also available for common sizes, making the changeover even more convenient. Each row of suction plates can be individually shut off manually using a manual slide valve. This means that 1-6 modules can be handled with the same setup. The devices are designed and manufactured in accordance with the current safety standards EN 13155 and ASME B30, and are tested and documented in accordance with the applicable accident prevention regulations BGR 500 and Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC/Appendix IIA. The final acceptance test is carried out in accordance with VDE 0113 and EN 60204.

AERO-LIFT also has a solution for swivelling modules: using the AERO 125/4R 90°/1800, the solar panels can be rotated by 90° and transported both horizontally and vertically. This means that individual modules can also be handled efficiently.

Thanks to a mobile light gantry crane, the picking stations at ezee Energy can be flexibly relocated in the halls without the need for structural measures. The previously tedious and unpopular picking work can now be carried out comfortably, faster and more efficiently, especially by just one employee. The Managing Director of ezee Energy agrees: "The vacuum lifting technology has significantly improved our processes and the risk of back pain is fortunately a thing of the past for us," says Reiner Stauss. "It is now unthinkable for all of us to carry out this work without the support of vacuum lifting technology."

Gerd Edelmann, contact person and project manager at AERO-LIFT Vakuumhebetechnik, is also satisfied: "We are always pleased when we can make our customers' work easier and safer with the help of our solutions. Many companies in the PV industry have already been able to make their work much more comfortable and ergonomic thanks to our vacuum lifting devices. We are constantly working on new concepts for this purpose, which can of course be customised to meet specific customer requirements." Due to the geopolitical situation, the energy sector is currently experiencing a real boom in the areas of photovoltaics, batteries, inverters and charging stations. The specialists at AERO-LIFT are confident that their ergonomic helpers are the ideal solution to these increasing production volumes and the associated challenges faced by PV manufacturers.