Steel
Inversion, Flotation, Conveyance, and Lifting
Steel production demands capacity, reliability, and longevity - and that's exactly what Thomas Manufacturing delivers. From manufacturing machines for bunk, blank, and component part inversion, to overhead sheet stack crane lifts, our equipment is designed to meet the rigorous demands of the steel industry. ​​
Packman is an all-electric inversion system designed for quick, efficient handling of steel blanks, steel bunks, aluminum slabs, castings, corrugated curved steel, hydro electric component parts, and more. With a 50-75 second cycle time and up to 8,000 lb capacity. Inverting materials in a synced, two axis motion. Custom arms accommodate various product sizes with a max opening of 60". Features include a 5,000 lb standard load rating, PLC with 7” HMI operator interface, ball screw clamping, and adjustable clamping pressure. Ships fully assembled and runs on 208–480V, 3-phase power.
"Hulk" was designed to increase our standard Packman capacity, handling up to 15,000 lbs. and bunk heights up to 79". Ideal for inverting steel sheets and forgings, it has a 75–90 second cycle with a synced two-axis motion. Custom arms are available to accommodate for various products. It features an all-electric operation, PLC control with 7” HMI, ball screw-actuated arms, and adjustable clamping pressure. Operated via a 20-ft tethered whip; on-site assembly required. Runs on 208–480V, 3-phase power.
One of our customers in the automotive industry uses the Hulk to flip stacked steel body panels - weighing up to 7,000lbs - in quantities of 200-400. This enables the production of both driver and passenger side blanks for OEM's. As stated by the company's Processing Manager:
"Our Hulk bundle turner is a robust machine designed with safety first, while eliminating our processing bottleneck and increasing our efficiency."​ - Eric, Samuel Automotive Group
Our Air Tables are designed to support the smooth and efficient handling of products across a variety of industries, including textile, steel, wood, packaging, and paper. Featuring a machined phenolic top and acetal diffuser coins, these tables create a low-friction surface ideal for omni directional movement. Built on a durable 2" x 11 gauge laser cut steel frame, they offer long-lasting stability and performance. Standard models provide a 13–15 lb capacity lift per square foot, with higher lift capacities available. Customizable with options like scissor lifts, pneumatic lifts, hand crank lift, and lateral sliding tops. Air Tables can be tailored to meet your exact application needs. Available in multiple voltage configurations and built for seamless integration into your existing workflow.
Heavy Duty Rollcases are designed to support the most demanding loads with the lowest cost of operation, Thomas HD Rollcases are manufactured completely inhouse down to the rollers. Standard conveyors come with daisy chain sprocket driven dome tubing rollers. Rollers supported with hex bore bearings and bolt on hex support pins are accessible from outside the frame. Interior mounted adjustable 3 phase motor and inline helical gearbox drive are easily adjustable from the top. Fully enclosed chains with bolt on steel shields. Built to handle our customer's specific needs with longevity, maintenance ease, and uptime in mind.
We understand that no two operations are the same. That’s why we work closely with your team to develop custom solutions that match your specific challenges and goals
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Our Steel Industry Solutions Include:
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Packman and Hulk machines for heavy-duty forming and part handling
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Custom automation for part handling and assembly
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Integration with safety and structural component production lines
​Have a similar challenge? Click here to talk about how we can streamline your steel processing too!​​​