Executive summary Turning a stack of steel sheets to change the pallet or reach the underside is risky with a crane and slings. Our C-type inverter in this video clamps a sheet stack between its jaws and turns it on its blue base, with the operator working from a remote control. Stack weight follows from the sheet size and thickness times the sheet count, and it sets the inverter rating.
Table of Contents
- What the video shows
- How the stack is turned
- Stack weight from the sheets
- Controls and safety
- Selection checklist for a steel sheet pallet inverter
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
What the video shows
A yellow C-shaped clamp frame stands on a blue base. The sheet stack is placed inside the C, and the upper and lower jaws close on it.
The frame then turns about the base axis, first through about 90 degrees, then on to about 180 degrees, carrying the stack with it. At the end the jaws open so the turned stack can be taken away. The operator stands back and runs the machine from a hand-held remote control; red and green buttons and lights are on the front of the base.
How the stack is turned
Times are read from the video timestamps.
| Step | What happens | Video time |
|---|---|---|
| Clamp | The stack is placed in the C and the jaws close | about 0–8 s |
| Turn to 90° | The frame turns the stack on its side | about 12–20 s |
| Turn to 180° | The frame carries on to turn the stack over | about 24–44 s |
| Release | The jaws open for unloading | about 48–56 s |
Stopping at 90° stands the stack on edge; going on to 180° turns it fully over.
Stack weight from the sheets
Illustrative example:
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Sheet size (illustrative) | 1,250 × 2,500 mm |
| Sheet thickness (illustrative) | 2 mm |
| Sheets in the stack (illustrative) | 50 |
| Steel volume, 1.25 × 2.5 × 0.002 × 50 | about 0.313 m³ |
| Weight at 7,850 kg/m³ | about 2,450 kg |
Add the pallet weight to get the load the clamp has to turn.
Controls and safety
The clamp frame turns a full stack through up to 180 degrees. Keep people well clear of the turning area while it moves, as the operator does in the video by working from the remote control, and load or unload only with the frame stopped.
The standards that apply depend on the destination market. For CE markets, ISO 12100 sets the risk-assessment method and EN 415-10 sets general requirements for packaging machines.
Selection checklist for a steel sheet pallet inverter
- Sheet size, thickness and stack height.
- Heaviest stack with pallet.
- Turn angle: 90 or 180 degrees.
- Remote control or fixed panel.
- Forklift or crane loading.
- Floor space for the turning circle.
Engineering FAQ
Q: What does the inverter do? A: It clamps a sheet stack and turns it through 90 or 180 degrees.
Q: How do you work out stack weight when sizing the inverter? A: Length × width × thickness × sheet count gives the steel volume; times 7,850 kg/m³ that is about 2,450 kg in our example, plus the pallet.
Q: Why stop at 90 degrees? A: At 90 degrees the stack stands on edge; 180 degrees turns it fully over.
Q: How is it controlled? A: From a hand-held remote control, with buttons and lights on the base.
Q: Can it take my sheet sizes? A: Send the sheet sizes and stack weights and we size the clamp.
Next step
We plan your steel sheet pallet inverter in three steps:
- Submit your layout drawing with sheet sizes and stack weights to info@fhopepack.com.
- Receive a proposal within 48 hours, with turn angle and control method.
- Book a site survey to check loading method and floor space.
Related reading
- Pallet inverter
- Video: C-type 180 degree pallet turnover and pallet inverter
- Video: steel sheet 180 degree turning and upending process
Sources
- Machine content: FHOPE engineering team, 2026-10-04
- Steel density: standard value for carbon steel, 7,850 kg/m³
- Weight example: our worked example, illustrative values
- Machine in action: our video on YouTube
- Standards scope: ISO 12100:2010, EN 415-10:2014
Last reviewed: 2026-10-04
