PRODUCT REVIEWS
Outdoor vacuum lifting
Handling solutions from AERO-LIFT Vakuumtechnik GmbH were displayed at DACH + HOLZ International, a trade show for the roofing and timber construction industry. Held from 24-27 February 2026, the event in Cologne( Germany) focused on practical solutions for efficient construction.
On crane manufacturer KLAAS’ s stand, the CLAD-BOY ® outdoor vacuum lifter from AERO- LIFT Vakuumtechnik GmbH was used live for handling sandwich panels. The STORE-BOY XL mobile storage unit was also on display.
“ The demonstrations focused on the safe and time-saving installation of large-format roof and façade elements. The CLAD-BOY ® is operated by crane and enables the precise lifting and positioning of sandwich panels, both horizontally and vertically,” the manufacturer told ISMR.
“ The CLAD-BOY ® is a mains-independent vacuum lifter for outdoor use. Robust, weatherresistant components, powerful battery technology and modular crossbars make it
a reliable and particularly safe solution for handling sandwich and trapezoidal sheet metal elements during roof and façade installation. Its intuitive operation supports ergonomic and economical installation,” it continued.
Safety elements include an audible and visual warning signal when the battery is low and / or the vacuum level drops. Intelligent vacuum generator control means long running and short charging times.
“ Versatile and robust, the CLAD-BOY ® is suitable for both roof and wall mounting. It offers up to 70 % longer battery life, thanks to
the Ecomatic pump control module included as standard, which ensures intelligent activity control measured by the vacuum level,” added AERO-LIFT Vakuumtechnik GmbH.
The STORE-BOY XL, also displayed at the trade show, is the company’ s solution for transporting and storing vacuum technology. The compact storage unit is designed for tidiness, short set-up times and efficient processes on the construction site. The storage unit also includes an equipment box for stowing all tube or suction plate components. n
www. aero-lift. de / en
Production lines for heat exchanger plates
Interest in heat pumps is rising in several parts of the world and there is a growing demand for heat exchanger plates— the thin, corrugated sheets that are the heart of heat exchangers. There are major market shares to capture for those who act now, said Lennart Johansson, Business Manager, Line Solutions, AP & T.
With over 60 years of experience in sheet metal forming, AP & T has developed a complete solution that combines press, tooling, automation and line control in an integrated system. This has made it one of Europe’ s leading suppliers of complete production lines for heat exchanger plates. The core of the line is AP & T’ s proprietary servo press, designed to significantly reduce energy consumption and operating costs.
“ Thanks to our servo technology, energy use can be radically reduced compared to conventional hydraulic presses, while precision increases and surface quality improves. This is a technological leap that we know has a major positive impact on both production capacity and cost per plate,” said Lennart Johansson.
Higher capacity, lower TCO
A production line from AP & T can manufacture up to approx. 3,000 plates per hour, depending upon plate geometry
Lennart Johansson, AP & T.
and process layout. But, according to Lennart Johansson, speed is only part of competitiveness.
“ Reliability is just as important. Our lines are built to run steadily— around the clock, if desired, with high availability. This is a crucial part of Total Cost of Ownership( TCO), where energy efficiency, uptime and service needs are combined to provide a long-term low cost,” he continued.
AP & T’ s lines often have a lifespan of over 20 years. The company offers service, upgrades and technical support throughout the period.
For companies looking to start their own production of heat exchanger plates, AP & T offers fully tested and production-ready lines that can be up and running quickly.
Production line for heat exchangers.
“ Our lines are designed to be operational from day one. Many of our customers find that the line has paid for itself within one to two years. We achieve this thanks to high, stable output and low energy consumption,” added Lennart Johansson.
For more established players, AP & T can also offer fully customised solutions that can be adapted and modularised as needed.
For more information on AP & T’ s complete production solutions for heat exchanger plates, see https:// aptgroup. com / solutions / climate-energy / heat-exchangerplates n https:// aptgroup. com
ISMR March 2026 | ismr. net | 51