Pannkoke moves art

In order to move the individual objects of the "Schattenlabyrinth" by artist Vera Röhm from Darmstadt (Germany - www.veraroehm.com), Pannkoke Flachglastechnik from Lübeck was allowed to develop and produce a very special kind of vacuum lifting device.

This device was first used during installation of the art fair "art" in Karlsruhe during March 2012.

( www.art-karlsruhe.de/messe-karlsruhe-art/de/mess_ka/presse_service/pressedetail_896.jsp )

A 2-circle vacuum lifting device with which the art objects could be moved horizontally was developed for use with a fork stacker. The different forms with a center-to-center spacing of 340 mm resulted in 25 positions for the suction cups at the maximum outer dimension of 1700 mm. With the eight suction cups used, maximum transport weight was 400 kg. Special suction cups were employed to prevent any marks remaining on the art objects after transport. A stop rail and the fixed grid spacing of the individual suction cups made it easier to position the device. For easier handling, the vacuum lifting device was equipped with radio remote control for the functions SUCTION / RELEASE.

Our follow-up enquiry as to how well we had solved this problem received the following lines:

"Dear Mr. Pannkoke,

On Tuesday we used the device at the art fair for the first time and took some photos; next Monday we are taking down the fair. Photos will be available next week.

Report on first use:

Summary: Perfect!

Details:

The device makes a very well-fabricated and sophisticated impression; it is very easy to handle and adapting it to the different forms. Transporting the objects was completely smooth and fast. And especially at an art fair, where many gallery owners and artists work in a rather improvised fashion, the construction garnered "envious glances".

Until now sculptures have been moved with muscle power; the colleagues (and especially their spinal disks) were most content.

Some minor details could still be improved:

We are going to number the suction cups and quick release couplings; previously in order to shut down one suction cup, one had to follow the hose through the construction.

The idea with the stop rail was a great relief for the fork stacker driver. We masked off the rail with a foam pad and will permanently attach soft foam here, to prevent slight scratching to the painted surface of the objects during fine positioning with the side lift.

One idea from our master carpenter was to make this stop rail removable; then he could also use the lifting device for his sheets of 40 mm MDF and other materials (these parts also weigh more than is healthy to lift). We have also covered pedastals with 250x200x40 cm 100 kg particle board; they can be moved. This is how ever-new tasks come to mind.

To the removable stop rail:

Can our metalworker make this rail removable, or would we run into difficulties with the guarantee, UVV or the like?

I have also found something in the very good operating instructions (finally, not computer-translated Chinese instructions) which I would like to hereby order:

8 pieces 388-SCHUTZ

That's all for today; as said, photos next week.

Kind Regards,

Peter Linak"

By the way, the next exhibition of "Schattenlabyrinth" is in Bad Ragaz in Switzerland. The lifting device will also be used again here.

Over 55 years' experience in developing vacuum lifting devices at Pannkoke Flachglastechnik GmbH makes itself apparent, particularly in special task descriptions.