Space limitations, lack of accessibility and delicate flooring mean that not all glazing robots are suitable for use indoors. This is specifically why Smartlift designed the SL 208 Indoor – an entry level glazing robot and the smallest in the Smartlift range.
Compared to other vacuum lifting robots which focus on larger capacities and mixed indoor/outdoor use, the SL 208 offers numerous benefits when it comes to manoeuvrability and the overall practicality of installing glass in an indoor environment.
Space Limitations Solved by a Compact Design
One of the main issues of indoor glazing projects is access. Doorways, corridors, lifts and other obstacles can make it impossible, or at best, very difficult to operate glass lifting equipment.
As the smallest robot in the Smartlift range, the SL 208 makes it ideal for installing internal partitions, shop fronts, atrium glass, glass staircases and for many other internal glazing applications where access is restricted, but power and precision are still required.
With its small size of just 1600mm in length by 720mm wide (1300mm with outriggers), there is usually no need to move the machine across long distances (e.g. around a building). Instead, the operator can usually manoeuvre the SL 208 through the corridors of a building to reach the installation point.
The joystick drive control with speed regulator is the perfect companion to help achieve steady movements in tight spaces, and the 88cm turning radius is a life saver for narrow work areas. Factor in the 360° front castors that come as standard on this model, and you’ve got yourself a compact machine capable of tackling the most awkward routes.
The SL 208 also boasts a curb weight of just 480kg, meaning it can be safely elevated in a personnel lift, making it perfect for high rise buildings either under construction or going through a refurbishment.
Precision Controls for More Accurate Glazing
The smooth and controlled arm/boom movements of the SL 208 allow for the precise placement of individual pieces of glass or fully glazed units. This allows installers to align them perfectly, with much less effort and manual interaction than before.
The SL 208 has a maximum lifting height of 2.65m and a maximum lifting capacity of 200kg, giving it plenty of power for small to medium sized units. A tilt angle of 54° backwards and 100° forwards gives the operator plenty of options when it comes to lifting and positioning glass.
Safer Indoor Installations
Lifting, positioning and maintaining the stability of elevated glazing units by hand is a laborious process, let alone having to carry the units through a building to reach the installation point. That’s where the SL 208 comes into its own, removing the requirement for any manual handling whatsoever.
With minimal effort required by the operator, the SL 208 can lift a piece of glass off the side of a van (or off a pallet) and then carry it through the building and position it with millimetre precision, ready for final installation.
The SL 208 Indoor comes with a handy remote control, allowing the operator to control the boom from a distance, whilst maintaining good visibility of the load. It offers millimetre precision and is an invaluable tool for safer installations.
In addition, a two-handed vacuum release mechanism ensures the load can never be dropped accidentally by an operator simply pressing the wrong button. There are also dual vacuum circuits for added safety.
All of this helps to reduce the risk of injury and damage to the glass.
Other Indoor Friendly Features
All Smartlift models are battery powered. This offers a quiet and emission-free working environment – a feature that’s especially beneficial when working in finished buildings with little ventilation. The SL 208 has an operating time of up to 10 hours (usually a full working day), and a charge time of up to 8 hours (easily charged overnight).
White, non-marking tyres also minimise the chance of damaging finished or delicate flooring when compared to larger, bulkier machinery.
Conclusion
As you can see from the above, the Smartlift SL 208 Indoor is a practical example of how you can lift and install glass in an indoor glazing environment more easily, more precisely and more safely when compared with manual handling or larger outdoor glazing robots.
If you have any questions on the SL 208, why not get in touch with a member of our team? We’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have, and we can even book you one of our free onsite demonstrations where you’ll see Smartlift glass lifting equipment in action before your very own eyes.
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