What Causes The Need for Glass-Lifting Suction Cups?

Glass lifting suction cups are typically used as lifting aids in the context of glazing, but they can also be used to hold objects such as cameras. They are designed as lifting aids to form a strong vacuum on smooth, non-porous surfaces so that the cup does not come away when pulled or lifted. Suction cups can be used to provide a graspable handle for easy maneuverability because glass can be dangerous and awkward to handle.

1. The Advantages of Using Glass Lifting Suction Cups

While glass suction cups have many applications, there are a few that are particularly important in glazing. When choosing suction cups, consider the benefits they will provide to your project as well as the type you may require.

1.1 Easier Glass Movement

Nobler Glass glass lifting suction cups have a particularly strong hold for their size and come with ergonomic handles for ease of movement. The cups are easily applied and removed using either a slap-on cup or a lever-operated cup, with the former lifting up to 6.8kg and the latter up to 80kg. The Grifter is a simple and inexpensive slap-on cup with a knob-style handle that allows the glass to be rotated with a turn of the wrist.

1.2 There will be no pesky fingerprints on your glass.

The worst part of finishing a glazing job is realizing there are marks covering your glazing that you have to try to clean up - using suction cups prevents this because you don't need to make any contact with the glass from beginning to end.

The D-Cup Lifter 34kg glass suction cup is ideal for this because it has a strong handle with an attached fingertip-operated release bar that allows you to press the cup on to secure it to the glass and then pull the lever to release the vacuum.

1.3 Break less to save money

Glazing is often difficult to grip and has sharp edges, making it far more likely that you will drop it and smash it. Glass breakages can also cause injuries, requiring workers to take time off work, which adds to the cost of replacing the glass. This is why glass suction cups are used; they allow the user to form a secure grip on the glazing while also allowing for easier positioning.

Our most powerful suction cup is the Nobler3 Suction Cup Triple Pad, which has an 80kg maximum capacity and a trio of cups with a flip switch-activated vacuum.

1.4 Easy to Use

One of the most intimidating aspects of professional glass tools is that they appear to be difficult to use and possibly too expensive to risk purchasing if you can't figure out how to use them. Nobler Group's glass suction cups, on the other hand, are incredibly simple to use, with cups as simple as pressing it against a flat surface to the slightly more complicated lever-activated suction application.

Nobler Suction Cups, for example, are simple to use but also come with butterfly handles that you can easily press to apply suction to your glazing.

2. Suction Cups in Miniature

Mini suction cups are small suction cups designed to adhere to a surface. They suction onto lighter loads and have a much lower lifting capacity than larger suction cups. Before attempting to move a load, always check the lifting capacity of the suction cup. This keeps you from overloading it, which could lead to a disastrous accident.

2.1 What Is the Function of Mini Glass Suction Cups?

Do not be deceived by the small or mini size of glass suction cups. They function in the same way as standard and large suction cups. When you apply a mini glass suction cup to a surface, it forces the air and negative pressure out. This is what causes the vacuum hold and the stickiness to the surface. Each suction cup device will have its capacity for lifting. The capacity of mini suction cups will be limited because lifting heavy weights is not their intended use.

The air pressure on both sides of the suction cup will always attempt to equalize. It is critical to have the tightest seal possible and not allow any air bubbles into the cup because this can cause the suction to weaken and the suction to last significantly less time, which could be dangerous.

2.2 Suction Cup Sticking Factors

When suction cups stick properly, everything is fine, but some contributing factors will affect the strength level of the suction, as well as how well the suction will take and how long the suction will last.

First and foremost, your surface must be clean and dry. The suction cup's hold will be affected by any dirt or grime on the surface of your object or material. It is always best to clean or wipe the surface of your material before suctioning it. This will prevent any interference with your suction. When cleaning, make sure to dry your surface thoroughly because moisture or dampness can also affect suction hold. The surface level comes next; most suction cups will only stick to a completely flat surface. You'll need to find a cup that can handle different surface textures or shapes if you have a round, beveled, or uneven surface.

We also stock these types of suction cups at Nobler Glass, so if you're looking for one to handle curved or textured surfaces, check out our website. In addition to being flat, most suction cups can only grip non-porous surfaces, so keep this in mind when lifting an item or material. The ability of your suction cup to create a strong suction to the surface will be hampered if it is porous.

2.3 What are the best materials for suction cups?

Suction cups, as you might expect, are commonly used in the glazing industry for adhering to glass. This is why Nobler Glass has such a diverse selection.

Suction cups can stick to metal, hard plastics, and fiberglass in addition to glass. They can also be extremely useful for lifting tiles and kitchen countertops, as these items, like glass, must be handled with extreme caution in order not to damage them in any way.

Finally, suction cups can be used to lift kitchen appliances and furniture units, but you will need to use some of the larger suction cups with greater lifting capacities for this. The rule for most glass suction cups is that the surfaces must be non-porous. This ensures a strong bond and your surfaces should be free of dirt, oil, and soap.