Abstract: A vacuum plate which may be used in a system in which sheet material articles are handled by a vacuum plate. The vacuum plate comprises a first wall, a plurality of bores in the first wall, and at least one air outlet for connection to a source of vacuum pressure for applying a vacuum pressure to the bores. The first wall provides, in use, a vacuum lifting surface for pulling and holding the sheet material article to the vacuum surface when vacuum pressure is applied to the bores. Each bore comprises a flared opening terminating at the vacuum surface for admitting air pulled through the bore by the applied vacuum pressure, and opposite this opening, an exit for the air pulled through the bore, this exit being surrounded by a rim that extends above a surrounding surface of the second side of the first wall.

Abstract: An automated sheet material cutting and handling system for producing sheet material articles having a planar shape comprises a cutting surface with a suction hold-down, a suction lifting apparatus, a robotic actuation system for moving the suction lifting apparatus, and a control system for controlling the operation of the cutting device and the suction lifting apparatus. The suction lifting apparatus comprises a suction lifting head including a suction lifting portion comprising a suction lifting plate for applying suction through a plurality of holes in the plate. The control system is configured to operate the cutting device to make at least one cut through the planiform blanks. A resiliently compressible template is adhered to the suction lifting plate. Also, methods.

Abstract: A vacuum lifter apparatus for lifting sheet material articles comprises an upper chassis, a modular lower suction plate supported beneath the chassis, a controller and a source of vacuum air pressure, the suction plate comprising a suction lifting surface for providing vacuum lifting pressure to said articles. The modular suction plate has plural side-by-side modules, each module providing a different portion of the suction lifting surface and having one or more air outlets, outlets of one module separate from outlets of other modules and in fluid communication with the corresponding portion of the suction lifting surface and not with different portions of the suction lifting surface. The chassis comprises at least one air outlet connected to said source of vacuum air pressure, and a plurality of separate air flow channels through the chassis. Each air flow channel has an associated air flow valve and a valve actuator.

Abstract: A vacuum lifter apparatus for lifting sheet material articles, comprises an upper chassis joined to a substantially planar lower suction plate and an airflow suction system for conveying vacuum air pressure to the suction plate. The suction plate comprises a plurality of suction plate modules, each comprising a housing with a substantially hollow interior and each of the housings being located laterally adjacent at least one other of the housings. Each of the housings comprises a lower plate, an upper plate and at least one side plate, each housing being affixed to the laterally adjacent housing along a seam between adjoining pairs of side plates. The upper plates each comprise at least one opening and the lower plates are each perforated with a plurality of orifices through which, in use, air is drawn along airflow paths through the interior and out of the opening by the airflow suction system.

Abstract: A vacuum plate lifting system for lifting sheet material articles, comprises a vacuum lifter apparatus for lifting sheet material articles, a lifter actuation system configured to lift and/or move the vacuum lifter apparatus during use and a control system, the control system being configured to control the lifter actuation system during said movement. The vacuum lifter apparatus comprises: a substantially horizontal suction plate; an airflow suction system for conveying vacuum air pressure to said perforated suction lifting surface; at least one mount for connection of the suction plate to at least one actuator of the lifter actuation system for lifting and/or moving the suction plate during use. At least one elongate bar is movably mounted along an edge of the suction plate. A bar actuation system is configured to drive movement of said bar between a raised orientation and a lowered orientation.

Abstract: A vacuum lifter apparatus for lifting sheet material articles, comprises an upper chassis joined to a substantially planar lower suction plate and an airflow suction system for conveying vacuum air pressure to the suction plate. The suction plate comprises a lower side and an upper side, the upper side of the suction plate being affixed to the chassis, and the suction plate lower side providing a downwardly oriented and substantially planar suction lifting surface for making contact with the upper surface of said articles, said suction lifting surface comprising a plurality of laterally adjacent portions, each of said portions comprising a plurality of orifices through which, in use, air is drawn along airflow paths by the airflow suction system to provide a suction lifting pressure.