Lifting Aids & Manipulators for the Recycling Industry

Recycling and metal recovery are among the toughest environments for material handling: heavy, irregular and often abrasive loads must be moved safely, repeatedly and without straining operators. Zeilhofer lifting aids and manipulators bring pendulum-free precision to these demanding processes.

Where recycling pushes handling to its limits

Unlike clean assembly lines, recovery processes rarely deal with uniform parts. The challenges are specific:

• Heavy, dense loads, scrap packages, ingots and forged blanks that approach the limits of safe manual handling.

• Irregular shapes that shift their center of gravity and make free-hanging hoists unpredictable.

• Harsh surroundings with heat, dust and sharp edges that demand robust, well-protected equipment.

Typical recycling and metal-recovery applications

• Scrap packages and bales, moving compacted metal safely between press, conveyor and transport.

• Ingots and cast blocks, positioning dense, heavy units precisely at furnaces and machining stations.

• Forged and cast parts, guiding hot or heavy components through recovery and finishing steps.

• Batteries and e-mobility scrap, handling high-voltage modules under controlled, pendulum-free conditions.

How a Zeilhofer manipulator solves it

Every Zeilhofer system is engineered for the task, not adapted from a catalogue. Loads up to 1,200 kg are guided pendulum-free on the ZH90 lift axis, while manipulators handle up to 800 kg in a fixed, controlled motion. Grippers and fixtures are designed around the specific part, so even irregular scrap is held securely. Engineering, build, commissioning and service come from one source in Holzkirchen, Germany. Zeilhofer Handhabungstechnik is ISO 9001 certified and works to TISAX Level 2 with prototype protection, serving 18 industries in over 50 countries.

Manipulator, crane or robot for recycling?

A crane lifts but does not guide; a robot automates fixed sequences but struggles with the variability of scrap. A manipulator combines human judgement with guided, pendulum-free precision, ideal where parts differ from one cycle to the next.

Frequently asked questions

What load weights can a recycling manipulator handle?

Zeilhofer manipulators and the ZH lift axis cover loads up to 1,200 kg, depending on the system. Manipulators handle up to 800 kg, the ZH90 lift axis up to 1,200 kg.

Can one manipulator handle different scrap shapes?

Yes. We design quick-change or multi-function grippers so a single system can safely hold packages, ingots or irregular parts.

Is it suitable for hot or dusty recovery areas?

Components are selected for harsh environments, heat-resistant materials, sealed elements and protected guides keep the system reliable in recovery areas.

How much does such a system cost?

Cost depends on load, reach and gripper complexity. We analyse your process and quote a tailored solution. Contact us for an assessment.

New to the terminology? Our handling-technology glossary explains the key terms.