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Introduction
This article takes an in depth look at lift tables.
You will learn more about topics such as:
What is a lift table?
Types of lift tables
How lift tables work
The benefits of lift tables
And much more…
Chapter One – What is a Lift Table?
A lift table is a platform capable of holding materials and raising, lowering, and adjusting them to any height to meet the needs of an application and the user’s requirements. Lift tables are supported by a strong, rigid, and stable base frame placed flat on the floor, in a pit, or equipped with casters or wheels. The majority of lift tables have hydraulically driven scissor legs that provide a straight and steady vertical motion for smooth operation and positioning.
Lift tables are an easily accessible work surface that can be adjusted to meet the needs of various industrial applications such as sorting parts, doing repairs, holding tools, or providing a flexible workspace in a limited or enclosed area. As an ergonomically designed tool, lift tables provide a low stress, comfortable, and convenient workspace.
Chapter Two – Types of Lift Tables by Power and Lifting Mechanism
Lift tables are a practical industrial solution for moving, lifting, positioning, and transferring loads. They are a cost effective, safe solution for assisting workers as well as keeping them healthy. Lift tables are an excellent solution for improving productivity while providing an increased work area.
There are many types of lift tables, some of which are specifically designed to meet the needs of a single application. The types of lift tables can be divided several ways, with power source and lifting mechanism being two of the most common.
Types of Lift Tables By Power Source
Manual Lift Tables
Manual lift tables are the most basic form of lift table and are used for light loads. They are a dependable way to protect the safety of workers and provide an ergonomic work solution. To lift the table, the operator uses a crank, rachet, screw, or pump. The lifting mechanism can be initiated by hand or a foot pedal.
Pneumatic Lift Tables
Pneumatic lift tables have a pneumatic air lift system that does not require a power source to operate. An air compressor creates the lifting force, which makes pneumatic powered lifting tables more portable and mobile. Pneumatic powered lift tables do not use oils, lubricants, or fluids as part of the lifting mechanism, which can cause contamination and pollution.
The lifting mechanism of pneumatic lift tables makes it possible to use them in cleanrooms, beverage and food manufacturing, and other sanitary conditions. The pressurized air cylinder, at the heart of the mechanism, uses compression to smoothly set the height of the table.
Hydraulic Lift Tables
Hydraulic lift tables use a simple hydraulic mechanism to raise and lower the table. To lift the table, hydraulic fluid is forced in and out of a cylinder, which causes the scissor legs of the table to separate and lift the table’s platform. The scissor legs are attached to either end of the platform and force it to rise. Hydraulic lift tables are the most common form of lift table and are widely used in a variety of industries.
Electric Lift Tables
Electric lift tables can be battery powered, have an electrical cord for an outlet, or have both a battery and electrical cord. They have an on and off switch that can be easily activated or deactivated quickly for safety reasons. The cord for an electric lift table serves the multiple functions of supplying power and recharging the battery.
The motors for electric tables can be direct (DC) or alternating (AC) current motors. The type of motor is dependent on the purpose of the table, with 12v DC motors and 24v AC motors being the most commonly used. For convenience and ease of use, electric lift tables may have a remote control to activate the table for lifting and lowering.
Lift Table Types By Lifting Mechanism
Scissor Lift Tables
Scissor lift tables have scissor shaped arms that open and close to lift and raise the table’s platform. They can be powered by electricity, hydraulics, or pneumatic mechanisms. The design of scissor lift tables enables them to lift huge loads while providing a firm, strong platform.
There are various designs of scissor lifts that vary according to the number of lifts they have. The single version is the most common with heavy duty ones capable of lifting close to eight tons. Double scissor lift tables are capable of lifting heavier and longer loads, including several pallets at once.
Screw Scissor Lift Tables
Screw scissor lift tables have the same type of structure as a scissor lift table with supports that open and close to lift and lower the load. The difference between them is how the scissors are activated. With screw driven lift tables, a threaded screw attached to the motor or hand crank uses helical motion to open the scissors to raise the table. The table is lowered when the screw moves in a counter clockwise direction.
The image below of a screw driven scissor lift table has a screw mechanism that contracts to raise the table and expands to lower it. The screw mechanism can be seen in the base of the table’s structure.
Belt Drive Lift Tables
Belt drive lift tables are powered by an electric motor that drives a set of belts. The number of belts vary depending on the design of the table and the desired payload. As with screw driven tables, belt driven tables use scissors as their lifting method. Each of the belts can be individually tautened and are interchangeable.
The advantage of belt driven tables is their compact design and internal electric motor. Belt driven tables can have any size work platform or be custom designed to fit a specific application.
Rack and Pinion Tables
Rack and pinion lift tables have a single rigid support that can be of varying lengths and is only limited by the support structure. The design of rack and pinion tables is exceptionally sturdy and capable of lifting extremely heavy loads. It has a geared electric motor that turns the pinion gear that adjusts the height of the table, a mechanism that is similar to that of a car jack.
Articulated Lift Table
An articulated lift table has a two part lifting mechanism to lower and raise the work surface and is powered by an electric motor. As the lower support rises, the upper support moves upward carrying the work surface. The function of the two supports is similar to that of a cherry picker that lifts a worker. Articulated tables can be lowered to flow level to be loaded and are used for light loads.
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Chapter Three – Types of Lift Tables by Function
The next classification for lift tables is their function. This aspect of lift tables is broader and includes more varied types of lift tables. The use and selection of lift tables is dependent on their design and the loads they can carry. They can be very small and used for folding clothing or separating items in a shipment. Other more strenuous applications can be holding an engine as it is repaired or moving equipment.
Lift table manufacturers provide a sufficiently varied number of tables to meet the needs of any application. Additionally, they design and engineer lift tables for unusual and unique processes such as moving molten metals or unloading trucks.
Standard Lift Table
The standard lift table is stationary and capable of lifting three tons or less. It’s main purpose is to serve as an ergonomically designed work surface to assist workers and keep them from needing to bend or reach. Standard lift tables are widely used in several industries and ideal for automated conveyor belts that require constant unloading.
The collapsible height of a standard lift table is approximately eight inches, which allows it to be loaded and unloaded using a forklift. An essential part of a standard lift table is its stability that is provided by its electric motor.
Rotating or Turntable Tables
Turntable lift tables are a safe method for workers to easily access a workpiece by revolving or rotating the table. The top of the table is a form of carousel that rotates 360o and is an easy way to reposition and move heavy loads. Turntable lift tables can be operated manually or by remote controls. As with all lift tables, turntable lift tables have an ergonomic design for safety and positioning.
Portable Lift Tables
Portable lift tables are a very versatile tool for moving materials, lifting heavy loads, and providing a mobile workspace. There are several varieties of portable lift tables, with ones that have a battery and motor and others that are operated manually.
The nature of the work and the type of load determine the type of portable lift table. In shipping and receiving departments in retail operations, portable lift tables are lightweight and handle light loads. For heavier applications like lifting engines or heavy equipment, portable lift tables are sturdier and made of more substantial materials. Heavy duty portable lift tables are capable of performing like a forklift or pallet jack.
Self-Leveling Lift Tables
Self-leveling lift tables have a weight sensitive mechanism and may be equipped with a turntable or rotating top. Raised compression springs hold the table in place as it is loaded. When weight is added or loaded, the springs compress to keep the table at the required ergonomic height. When the load on the table is removed, the table returns to the ergonomically appropriate height.
Self-leveling lift tables are used for loading pallets and prevent strain on back and arm muscles by maintaining the height of the load for ease of loading.
Lift and Tilt Tables
A lift and tilt table allows for precise positioning of a load at the perfect height and angle. The tilt base compensates for the shifting center of gravity of the load as it is tilted. The majority of lift and tilt tables have an open frame that retracts when the table is lowered such that the table has a low profile when not in use.
The use of lift and tilt lift tables makes it possible to position the load for easier access and eliminates the need for bending or reaching. They are used for assembly, material handling, and repair of parts and equipment. Lift and tilt tables use an electrically driven hydraulic or pneumatic system and tilt at angles of 45°, 60°, and 90°.
Lift and tilt tables come with a variety of power mechanisms, capacities, sizes, and configurations. They are capable of lifting and positioning one to over three tons. Combined lift and tilt tables are able to lift and tilt in one smooth motion.
A common form of lift and tilt tables is ground entry tables that retract into a recess in the floor. They can be loaded using a forklift, warehouse robotics, or a pallet jack to avoid the need of physically lifting and positioning products. Most designs have three wall sides to contain the load.
Lift and tilt tables are referred to as scissor lifts and are used to raise, lower, stack, tilt, transfer, and move heavy loads to different elevations. The flexibility of lift and tilt tables makes it possible to have one to fit any type of lifting application regardless of the required weight. Heavy cumbersome loads can easily be handled by one person since the maneuvering of a load is completed by one machine. A key feature of lift and tilt tables is the elimination or reduction of product loss due to lifted items never coming in contact with hard surfaces or sharp corners.
Multi-Stage Lift Tables
Multi-stage lift tables can move higher than standard lift tables but have the same small sized platform. They have scissor lift design with more than one set of scissors, which allows them to reach greater heights. Multi-stage lift tables are ideal for applications that require movement to greater heights with a smaller footprint.
The image below has three of the more common multi-stage table lifts.
Tandem Lift Tables
A tandem lift table consists of two lift tables working in unison. They offer a double wide work surface that is longer and wider. Their scissor lifts are placed parallel to each other to maximize load capacity. Tandem lift tables are designed for heavy duty applications that a standard heavy duty lift table cannot perform.
The image below has two forms of tandem lifts with one being parallel and the other with one scissor lift in front of the other.
Heavy Duty Lift Table
A heavy duty lift table has high capacity and is designed with features that make it capable of lifting heavier loads. The additional features begin with the trapped rollers that are moved forward and backward by the scissors. They are larger and sturdier such that the table is set higher. The upper rollers, underneath the work surface are also larger to increase the stability of the table.
To increase the lift capacity of the table, it has multiple hydraulic cylinders mounted side by side. Every dynamic of the table is made of heavy duty steel able to withstand the severe stress of heavy duty applications.
Post Lift Tables
Post lift tables are a form of mobile lift table that have support posts in place of scissors. The posts allow the table to be raised and lowered. Unlike scissor lift tables, post lift tables have an open space beneath the platform for storage and movement of materials and tools. A single hydraulic piston that lifts the table by a hand or foot pump, which locks in place.
There are several varieties of post lift tables, including ones with tilt tops and turntables. The design of post lift tables limits their height adjustment. Post lift tables are powered by all of the different lift table methods.
Low Profile Tables
Low profile lift tables have a small footprint with a collapsed height of less than four inches. Its low height makes it possible to load a pallet on the table with a forklift or pallet jack using a small ramp. Low profile lift tables are ideal for palletizing and unloading pallets since their height quickly adjusts as the load is lightened. Additional features can include a locking turntable that allows for easy repositioning of the load.
Pit Mounted Lifting Table
Pit mounted lifting tables are installed even and level with the floor or surface and allow for ground level access to the lifting platform. Pallets or pallet jacks can roll easily and conveniently onto the platform. Using a scissor lift mechanism, materials are lifted to a height for easy access.
The typical capacity of pit mounted lifting tables varies between 250 kg up to 6000 kg or 550 lbs up to 6 tons. They have an anti-slip surface with some configurations having railings and sides to further prevent slippage.
Pit mounted lifting tables are customizable to fit the specific requirements of a company and necessitate adjustments to floors for installation of the mechanism.
Chapter Four – How Lift Tables Work
Lift tables have multiple designs for their lifting mechanisms and how they are powered. Each lifting type fits the application for which it was manufactured. Regardless of the many configurations, every lift table has the same basic function: lift a load to make it easier to work and transport.
Though there are many different lifting tables, each type has four basic features, which are a base, platform, legs, and power or lifting source. These four elements are necessary to support the load and lift it smoothly and safely.
Using a Lift Table
Plate or Platform
The lift plate sits on legs that move up and down. Under the plate, for most lift tables, are wheels that roll inside the underside of the plate. The size of the lifting plate matches the size of the largest item that will be placed on it or slightly larger. The purpose of the lifting plate is to hold items or loads in place as the loads are lifted.
The platform can be any size but not smaller than the length and width of the scissors or base. On the other hand, it can be larger and wider than the scissors or base. There are several additional features for platforms that include turntables, conveyor stops, tilting, and clamps.
Lift Capacity
The lift capacity of a lift table is the determining factor in a lift tables rating. The rating is based on the amount a table can hold when it is loaded, typically between 500 and 20,000 lbs. If a table is used for rolling loads like pallet trucks, rolls of paper, or coils of steel, it will have two additional ratings that are single axle end load and side load. Side and end load ratings apply when the table is in the raised position.
Raising the Table
The majority of lift tables have scissor legs that hold the platform and the load. The legs, which are in sets of two, are connected to the base and platform. The platform rises vertically when the scissor legs open. There are different versions of scissor leg construction. With one type, one leg is stationary as the other leg moves. Other types of scissor legs involve the movement of both legs.
The legs rest on enclosed rollers that are located on the base and underneath the table. When the lift mechanism is activated, the rollers move toward each other or toward the stationary leg, and the platform moves upward The speed of the raising and lowering is determined by the motor, which can be adjusted depending on the type of table.
Lowering the Table
The downward movement of a lift table is carefully controlled by the motor such that the table does not move too quickly and keeps the load stable. If there is a power failure or obstruction, the table automatically stops. The down speed is a function of the motor, which can be hydraulic, electric, or pneumatic. In the case of a hydraulic lift table, the flow fluid out of the hydraulic cylinder is controlled by a flow valve.
Base of the Table
The base of the table is made of rigid and sturdy metals. It is the foundation of the lift table and has tracks for the guide rollers. The base holds and supports the structure and components of the table. The size of the base is determined by the size of the platform, its capacity, and how the lift table is loaded and unloaded.
Base frames can be placed in pits, on wheels or casters, or be floor mounted, with the floor mounted version being the most common. The rectangular base and rollers can be seen in the image below. This particular model has two cylinders for the hydraulic mechanism.
Scissor Legs
The scissor legs are vertical elements that are placed under the platform and on the base. They are the part of the mechanism that raises and lowers the table and bridges the gap between the base and platform. The scissor legs raise and lower the platform to various levels and guide the load.
The orange pieces of metal beneath the table below, resting on its base, are the legs for this hydraulically driven lift table.
Power of a Lift Table
The power for a lift table comes in several forms. Though hydraulic is quite common, pneumatic, electrical, chain, belt, and other drive forms are also used. For hand powered lift tables, a pump raises and lowers the table, which can be activated by foot or hand. Electrical motors are used for hydraulic tables for powering the hydraulic cylinders. Electric motors can be DC or AC, depending on the type of table. Hydraulic and pneumatic lift tables can be powered by hand or by electric motors.
Chapter Five – The Benefits of Lift Tables
Lifting is a common part of industrial operations and requires heavy duty tools. Using workers to perform repetitive lifting can result in fatigue, injury, slowed productivity, inefficiency, and accidents. Medical science has proven that continuous up and down motion, when done improperly, can lead to damage to arm, leg, and back muscles. Lift tables were designed to be an ergonomic solution to those issues.
Having a product positioned at exactly the right level and height solves a wide array of physical and mental problems. Using a lift table increases worker productivity and their attitude toward their work.
Lift Table Advantages
Stable Platform
The stability of a lift table leads to several benefits most important of which is the safety of materials placed on the table. The slow even raising and lowering of materials eliminates the possibility of losing valuable products, parts, and equipment by having them dropped. The firm platform removes the danger of loads swinging or being unsecured.
Height Benefit
Lift tables are capable of being designed to reach any height. Once a set height is reached, the table maintains it even if the power fails.
Table Versatility
Versatility is one of the key benefits for the use of lift tables. Regardless of the operation, lift tables are available for conveyor platforms, can be tilted, and be equipped with special fixtures such as clamps, rails, and remote positioning devices. Lift tables come in an endless number of designs, configurations, and forms each of which is capable of meeting the needs of a specific application.
Mobility of Lift Tables
Portable or mobile lift tables have become increasingly popular. They have the ability to be positioned in areas that have limited workspace to provide a stable work area. When a heavy implement has to be moved for repair but cannot be reached by a forklift, a mobile portable lift table is an ideal solution to the problem.
Table Maintenance
Every lift table is designed to withstand the harshest of conditions. They are a hard working rugged tool that can match the performance of heavy machinery and tools. Regardless of the conditions, lift tables can endure without the need for repair, adjustments, or being updated. In many instances, they will outperform every piece of equipment in a facility.
Advanced Programmability
A common part of more advanced lift tables is programmability where height positions, movement, and loads can be programmed into the handling system. This particular feature is necessary for applications that necessitate on time and instant responses.
Ergonomic Design
An essential part of every industrial operation is efficiency, quality, and performance. These goals can only be reached if the staff that completes each task is performing at their best. Physical and mental pain can lead to lack of effort, poor performance, and inefficiency.
The ergonomic design of lift tables has a greater benefit beyond the relief of muscle pain. Every application requires a certain amount of mental strength to complete. Lift tables and their adaptability relieve many of the concerns workers have when it is necessary to perform a task involving a heavy load.
Vertical Range
The vertical range of lift tables is limitless with the development of the multi-stage lift tables. In many ways, lift tables can perform like elevators and lift workers, with the proper safety measures, to any height in a facility.
Chapter Six – Lift Table Standards
As with any form of equipment used in an industrial operation, lift tables have standards, requirements, and regulations used to determine their use and safety. Standards for lift tables have been somewhat overlooked sunce most attention has been dedicated to carts, hand trucks, forklifts, and pallet jacks.
The British Standards Institute (BSI), which develops standards for the United Kingdom, has taken a special interest in lift tables and developed a set of standards for their operation and use. They provide certifications and guidelines for the use and implementation of a wide variety of equipment and tools.
Two other international organizations have also developed standards for lift tables: European Standards (EN) and the International Organization of Standardization (ISO).
European Standards provides technical standards and guidelines for the use of equipment, devices, and machines. Oversight of EN standards is created by the ISO, a worldwide organization that develops national and international standards.
Standards for Lift Tables
The British Standards Institute (BSI)
BS EN 1570-1 contains the safety requirements for lifting tables up to two fixed items.
European Standards (EN)
In support of the BSI, the EN adopted standards for lift tables that include:
Rules for loading, strength, and stability calculations.
Safety requirements for people and goods
Construction clearances
Protection for people, goods, and installations
Raising and lowering speeds
Overload protection
Prevention of lowering if there is damage to the mechanism
Inclusion of control systems
Testing standards for new lift tables
Instructions for maintenance, inspection, installation, and safe operation
International Organization of Standardization (ISO)
The ISO is an international organization with representatives from all industrial nations that assist in establishing standards and guidelines.
Included in ISO 3691-5:2014 are standards for lifting equipment such as forklifts and platform lifts.
Rules for strength and stability calculations, including testing
Attachment of safety measures for preventing a load from falling
Minimum clearance levels
Protection for goods, workers, and fixed installations
Ergonomic design
Guidelines for wheel brakes
Overload protection
Raising and lowering speeds
Guidelines for electrical control systems
Guidelines for maintenance, installation, manufacture testing, warnings against misuse, risks of operation, and methods of inspection
Conclusion
A lift table is a platform capable of holding materials as well as raising, lowering, and adjusting them to any height to meet the needs of an application and the requirements of the user.
Lift tables are an easily accessible work surface that can be adjusted to meet the needs of various industrial applications such as sorting parts, doing repairs, holding tools, or providing a flexible workspace in a limited or enclosed area.
Lift tables are an excellent solution for improving productivity while providing increased work space.
A key factor related to the use and selection of lift tables is their design and the loads they will carry.
Regardless of the many configurations, every lift table has the same basic function: lift a load to make it easier to work and transport.
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