Vacuum hose lifters and lifting beams make life easier for staff involved in the manufacture of air-conditioning and ventilation systems |
08.07.26 | Reading time: 5 Minuten
Large-format sheet metal parts, delicate surfaces and heavy loads are part and parcel of the day-to-day production of heating, cooling and ventilation systems. Kampmann GmbH & Co. KG, based in Lingen, meets these challenges with a clear focus on ergonomics, health and safety, and reliable handling processes.
Our lifting systems play a key role in this. Having started with a lifting system for the ergonomic palletising of bulky and heavy fan coil units, Kampmann now has three customised vacuum hose lifters and a vacuum lifting and swivelling crossbeam developed specifically for this application. These lifting solutions ensure that lifting processes in production, final assembly and dispatch preparation are carried out in a way that protects workers’ health and minimises damage to materials.
| Challenges | Achievements |
| Heavy and bulky components | Ergonomic handling using vacuum lifting technology |
| High physical strain | Reducing the workload on staff |
| Manual lifting operations carried out by two people | Can be operated by one person |
| Delicate surfaces | Fewer scratches and less damage to materials |
| Precise positioning of large components | Safe and controlled handling |
| Different component geometries | Customised solutions for every application |
What does Kampmann GmbH & Co. KG do??
For over 50 years, we have been developing and manufacturing Kampmann Heating, cooling and ventilation systems for non-residential buildings. The family-run company’s approximately 1,100 employees, based at 16 sites worldwide, develop large-scale, project-specific solutions for office buildings, retail spaces and industrial and logistics facilities, all tailored precisely to the specific requirements of each client.
At a glance: Kampmann GmbH & Co. KG
- 1972 founded
- around 1,100 staff members
- 16 locations worldwide
- Head office in Lingen (Ems)
- Specialist in high-quality heating, air-conditioning and ventilation systems
Compared with residential premises, non-residential buildings require significantly higher air flow rates and equipment sized accordingly. This places high demands on manufacturing and installation: large-format sheet metal and heavy assemblies must be handled safely, precisely and in a way that minimises damage to the material.
Vacuum hose lifters for ergonomics and health and safety in manufacturing
At Kampmann, ergonomic conditions in the production department are regularly reviewed in consultation with the company doctor and the health and safety officers.
“We place great importance on keeping our staff healthy. Our aim is therefore to identify ergonomic risks at an early stage and to design workstations in a way that promotes long-term health.” – Alexander Grünloh, Project Manager in Production Engineering at Kampmann GmbH & Co. KG
Against a backdrop of increasing demands regarding ergonomics, health and safety at work, and efficient material flows, Kampmann decided to systematically integrate modern vacuum lifting technology into its intralogistics processes. Compared with traditional crane solutions, vacuum hose lifters offer ergonomic advantages:
“The operation is intuitive and follows natural movements. We are also particularly pleased that the delicate components can now be handled in a way that is especially gentle on the material.” – Alexander Grünloh, Project Manager for Manufacturing Technology at Kampmann GmbH & Co. KG
As the manufacturing processes at Kampmann require bespoke lifting solutions that are precisely tailored to components, processes and spatial conditions, the company turned to us. Today, our bespoke vacuum lifting solutions are in use at four workstations:
| Application | Solution | Advantage |
| Preparing fan coil units for dispatch | heavyLIFT 80 kg | Ergonomic single-person handling |
| Insert the metal discs | lightLIFT 30 kg | Precise handling that protects the material |
| Handling long sheets of metal | lightLIFT 45 kg | Fewer dents and scratches |
| Fitting an air curtain | Lifting and swivelling crossbeam | Safe lifting and rotation of loads up to 270 kg |
How does vacuum lifting technology support the ergonomic palletising of fan coil units?
A heavyLIFT 80 kg vacuum hose lifter is used for the final assembly and preparation for dispatch of fan coil units from the “Venkon” series. Following quality control, the fan coil units are safely lifted from the test bench using the lifting solution and transferred either to a roller conveyor for packaging or directly onto pallets.
A particular challenge was the space-saving vertical palletising of the bulky fan coil units. To address this, we developed a special crossbeam with suction plates fitted to the sides. Only one person is now required for the lifting operation, which simplifies the flow of materials.
How can round sheet metal components be loaded safely into a circular cutter?
In another production hall, large-format sheet metal discs are processed for the ‘KaDius’ fan coil unit. This circular ventilation unit is subsequently installed as a ceiling-suspended system and distributes air around the room via an annular gap. For production, sheet metal discs with a diameter of around 1,300 millimetres are fed into a circular cutter, where an outer ring is cut out of the solid disc.
A particular challenge was posed by the machine contour of the circular cutter: the large-format sheets must be positioned precisely beneath a cantilevered machine arm. To ensure the safe handling of these sensitive components, the lightLIFT 30 kg has been in use since 2024.
In collaboration with Kampmann, we developed a special crossbeam for this application: a generously sized bracket enables the sheet metal discs to be picked up in, precisely positioned and fed into the circular cutter in a controlled manner.
“The traverse allows large-format components to be handled ergonomically and without damaging the material, despite their complex geometry. This makes the work process much easier.” – Niklas Vernim, Sales Engineer at Timmer GmbH
How can large-format sheets be handled in a way that minimises damage to the material?
Kampmann has also been using a vacuum hose lifter to load press brakes since the start of 2025. With the lightLIFT 45 kg, staff can lift large-format sheets with a length of up to 3.20 metres across their entire surface without the components becoming deformed.
“Previously, because of their low inherent strength, the long metal sheets had to be moved manually by two people. This repeatedly resulted in scratches on the delicate surfaces.” – Alexander Grünloh, Project Manager in Production Engineering at Kampmann GmbH & Co. KG
Today, a single member of staff is responsible for the safe handling of the sheet metal using the lightLIFT 45 kg and a specially developed crossbeam for long components. The vacuum hose lifter is mounted on the timLIFT crane system and, thanks to a swivel range of 270 degrees, enables two identical press brakes to be operated using just one lifting system.
How do vacuum lifting systems make it easier to assemble air curtains?
Since December 2025, Kampmann has been using a vacuum lifting and swivelling crossbeam for handling heavy air curtains. These large-scale ventilation units, designed for the entrances of shopping centres, office buildings or industrial halls, place high demands on ergonomics and process safety when being handled, due to their size and weight of up to 250 kilograms. The lifting solution is attached to an existing overhead crane, with the vacuum generation system integrated directly into the lifting and swivelling crossbeam. Adjustable suction plates enable the safe handling of units of various sizes.
“The new lifting solution has been deliberately designed for loads of up to 270 kilograms in order to be able to reliably accommodate future sizes as well” – Alexander Grünloh, Project Manager for Manufacturing Technology at Kampmann GmbH & Co. KG
A key requirement was not only to lift the air curtains during installation, but also to rotate and position them in a controlled manner. To achieve this, we developed an integrated swivel function, which is operated by an electric cylinder.
“The new solution therefore not only replaces the previous process of transferring parts from the assembly table to the roller conveyor, but also enhances the process by providing ergonomic support during the upstream assembly stages” – Niklas Vernim, Sales Engineer at Timmer GmbH
Frequently asked questions about vacuum lifting technology:
CONCLUSION:
The right partner for bespoke solutions
Thanks to the lifting solutions developed jointly, Kampmann has been able to make lasting improvements to ergonomic workflows, health and safety, and process reliability in its manufacturing operations. What the customer particularly values about its collaboration with Timmer is the rapid coordination, the flexible adjustments made during the project phase, and the opportunity to test prototypes in advance.
“For us, one thing is clear: when it comes to challenging handling tasks with special requirements, Timmer is a reliable partner” – Alexander Grünloh, Project Manager for Production Engineering at Kampmann GmbH & Co. KG
For an overview of our tube lifters: Click here.
