Principle of Scissor Lifts
What is a Scissor Lift ?
Scissor lifts are a type of manlift that is commonly used in construction and facility maintenance to raise employees and their tools to working heights.
A power system and a control system make up the scissor lift. These two systems have been combined in the scissor lift. The two have a symbiotic relationship. In truth, the control system is also powered by electricity, diesel or compressed air, and the same operating principle applies. Drive the pressure pump to continually increase the pressure to the hydraulic cylinder, pump the hydraulic oil into the sleeve cylinder, and support the support arm to achieve the aim of elevating with 220V or 380V phase change electricity.
A scissor lift is a piece of mechanical equipment that promotes or unloads items by using electric energy as a power source. It is mostly utilized in high-altitude homework-related sectors and disciplines, such as enterprises, the chemical industry, municipal administration, electric power, and transportation.
Scissor Lift Components
The key components or parts of a scissor lift include:
Scissor Lift Platform
A scissor lift mechanism's platform can be a variety of sizes, forms, and materials. The platform, also known as a lift table, is the working area that supports the load of workers or work objects being raised or lowered by the scissor lift. For fall protection, most units that transport personnel have a platform with guardrails around the perimeter. Lifting and lowering goods and inanimate things are common uses for platforms without rails.
Scissor Legs
The scissor legs are a crisscross array or pantograph design of manufactured metal struts that connect the platform to the base. The length of each scissor leg or the number of scissor legs will determine the scissor lift mechanism's maximum working height. The scissor legs raise and lower the platform as they constrict (pull closer together) and extend, and they can be powered by a variety of sources depending on the application.
Scissor Lift Cylinders
One to four compression or expansion cylinders are commonly attached to a scissor lift mechanism. Depending on the specification and operation conditions, these cylinders can be filled with hydraulic fluid (hydraulic scissor lift) or compressed air (pneumatic pump system). The scissor legs and platform are raised or lowered by increasing or decreasing pressure through these cylinders attached to the scissor legs.
Scissor Lift Base
A robust footing made up of strong, stiff brackets is the foundation of the scissor lift mechanism. Tracks guide the rollers at the bottom of the scissor legs in the base. In conjunction with substantial support from the base, these rollers guarantee that the unit is raised and lowered steadily and solidly. The model and application will determine the size and layout of the scissor lift base.
Scissor Lift Power Source
A variety of different power sources can power a scissor lift. These can include everything from self-contained motors that work on various fuels to remote power packs. The working environment of the scissor lift will determine which power source is most appropriate.
Scissor Lift Down Valve
The down valve is in charge of returning compressed air or hydraulic fluid to its reservoir. The speed of this flow determines the platform's descent speed. The down valve, which controls the descent pace, is connected to the power supply.
Scissor Lift Flow Control Valve
The flow control valve controls how quickly fluid or compressed air leaves or returns to the reservoir cylinder, regulating the ascent or descent rate of the scissor lift.
Applications and Benefits of Scissor Lifts
The applications of scissor lifts include:
• Building Maintenance: Changing lights, hanging banners, laying bricks, pouring concrete, changing signs, accessing utilities, and a variety of other chores all necessitate working high in the air. Inside structures, scissor lifts are a popular choice since they allow personnel to complete duties safely. Furthermore, they are transportable and can be moved from one building area to another on their own. Churches, Libraries, Schools, and Hospitals are often responsible for these applications.
• Building: Scissor lifts are a transportable, adaptable solution for construction projects with constantly changing conditions. As a result, scissor lifts are useful for: contracting for renovations and contracting in general.
• Delivery: The activities that scissor lifts excel in, such as reaching great heights and carrying big cargo that can't be lifted by hand, are common in busy shipping hubs.
• Signs in the Sky: The world is filled with signs that change frequently, from single companies to property managers with several locations. A scissor lift, whether rented or purchased, may reduce many of the concerns and problems that come with making those improvements. Some businesses that commonly change signage include workshops for mechanics, utilities for storage facilities, and maintenance of parking lots.
• Production: By swiftly and safely reaching great heights and lifting heavy items, an aerial platform can improve operating efficiencies. Scissor lifts are therefore useful for manufacturing, chemical transformations, processing of food, and brick-laying.
• Warehousing: When it comes to warehousing, every vertical and horizontal inch of space must be utilized effectively. Investing in a scissor lift for warehouses might expand the amount of space available for storage or speed up the recovery process. Similar applications can be found in the management of real estate, landscaping, and management of transportation.
Advantages of Scissor Lifts
The advantages of scissor lifts include:
Improve Productivity
Scissor lifts are advantageous in palletizing and loading activities. They also help in setting the work surface at the right height. They shorten cycle times while increasing loading efficiency.
Reduce Workplace Injuries
Back injuries related to heavy lifting commonly lead to time losses. A scissor lift is a way to raise goods to the required height. Offloading heavy goods, for example, necessitates repetitive, heavy lifting of the products from the pallet to the table. In this case, a lift table can place the pallet at table height, alleviating the worker's weight. This eliminates the strain of lifting in both the vertical and horizontal planes. If safety instructions are followed properly, scissor lifts can lessen the risk of acute injuries associated with heavy lifting.
Enhance Process Ergonomics
Scissor lifts are easily adjustable so each operator can use a preferred height. A scissor lift does not only enhance repetitious stacking and loading chores but also makes the process more ergonomic. A scissor lift decreases the requirement for bending and twisting to adapt to table height. Scissor lifts, also known as lift tables, are the best solution for vertical lifting and material and personnel. They increase work productivity at the same time lowering the risk of injury on the job. A scissor lift can be used as a pallet positioner, for lifting and positioning operations, or for transferring cargo, making the job faster and safer.
Access High Places and Difficult-to-Reach Areas
Because some lifts can reach heights of up to 32 feet, this is a tool that allows employees to reach areas that would otherwise be difficult to access. Height and carrying capacity, of course, go hand in hand with overall weight. As a result, the heavier the lift is, the higher the height it can reach and the more weight it can lift.
User-Friendly
These lifts are especially simple to use. The controls are straightforward and virtually foolproof, reducing operator fatigue. This also implies that operators may be taught the usage of this technology in just a few days, allowing it to work quickly.
Compact Dimensions
A scissor lift is the tiniest type of aerial work platform to ever come across. This is critical in confined places, such as event rooms or tightly packed warehouses, where stacked crates limit access to the ceiling.
Floor Area Requirement
Scissor lifts are among the most compact aerial work platforms, while other aerial work platforms require a lot of floor space to operate. These lifts are easy to store because the total area required is about equal to the area of the lift-able platform.
Customizable to Personal Liking
Depending on the industry, they may be needed to tailor the lift to meet the specific requirements. Scissor lifts can be customized to fit specific needs. Tilters can be added to reduce the chance of the operator falling. There may also be a need to add a turntable to it, which allows it to spin in addition to raising the platform.
Economic
Scissors are undoubtedly the most cost-effective and versatile option among all other options. A single vertical lift may service a full warehouse. Hydraulic lifts also require nearly no energy, enhancing their efficiency.
Disadvantages of Scissor Lifts
The disadvantages of scissor lifts include:
• Lower Lift Heights — most scissor lifts can only reach 20 to 50 feet in height. This is far less than the majority of boom lifts.
• Due to the fact that most scissor lifts can only move vertically, there is no way to navigate them up and around obstructions.
Considerations When Choosing Scissor Lifts
The considerations when selecting scissor lifts include:
• Lift and Lower Speeds - The speed at which the lift rises and falls significantly impacts production.
• Operator Controls - The lift's controls should be simple and precise. The easier the lift is to move, the less time the operator will spend situating it.
Conclusion
A scissor lift is a piece of mechanical equipment that promotes or unloads items by using electric energy as a source of power. It is mostly utilized in high-altitude homework-related sectors and disciplines, such as enterprises, the chemical industry, municipal administration, electric power, and transportation. Selecting the right scissor lift should consider the different types, applications, and benefits.