Scissor lift tables have increasingly established themselves as an essential item in Australian workshops, warehouses, manufacturing plants and logistics hubs. Leveraging a deceptively simple crossed-leg mechanism powered by hydraulic or pneumatic or mechanical power, these horizontal to vertical tables allow personnel to raise and lower loads through straight vertical motion without rotation of the load as the orientation of the load is unchanged.
In a time where efficient work processes, safety adherence and employee health are highly valued, the scissor lift tables offers a unique combination of versatility, dependability and ergonomic advantage. This wide-ranging overview considers the engineering of the technology, the standards by which it operates and the strategic parameters by which procurement and ongoing maintenance are directed, in modern Australian English — and Australian terminology where ever possible — adopting the standards and regulations that apply in Australia.
How does Scissor Lift work?
Designed as space-efficient means of lifting pianos, stage platforms and freight in powerfully vertical warehouses, the scissor lift’s roots can be traced back as far as nineteenth-century Europe. Early devices depended on lead screws driven manually, however, the integration of industrial grade hydraulics with low-friction components in the mid-twentieth century changed the industry forever, combining the ability to eventually apply power with the ability to control it precisely. The lift table made its debut into heavy industry in post-war Australia during the manufacturing boom, allowing line-side material handling at factories in Melbourne and Sydney. In the following decade’s advances in steel technology and finishes developed a new breed of hardy, low maintenance platters, able to withstand the rigours of the Australian climate and operating environments—from the salinity of Far North Queensland to the desiccation of the Pilbara.
Fundamentals of Engineering and Core Components
The pantograph: two or more sets of criss-crossed arms that open and close in an X pattern, make up the heart of all scissor lift tables. The X opens (the base of which is raised vertically), when force is applied (that will usually be one or more hydraulic cylinder(s) between the scissor legs or under the base frame). Premium structural steel provides the compressive and tensile strength necessary to support dynamic loads, and alloy steel machined pins provide for smooth rotation under shear forces. Today, one of the common designs use composite bearings which do not require hilly lubrication; hence saves a lot of downtime. A low-RPM, high-torque motor with a gear or vane pump drives the hydraulic circuit. Operators can control rise speed by utilizing flow control valves, and integral pressure relief valves prevent overloads on the table.
Types of Scissor Lift Tables
While the core mechanism remains essentially the same, scissor lift tables diverge into a number of different specialised varieties. The base frame is bolted to the slab and does not move, so these stationary models are great for pit-mounted docks or production cells. Mobile types incorporate castors or polyurethane wheels and are either pushed or towed around site to provide smaller workshops with the experience of flexibility in elevation without the need for permanent floor fixtures. Tilt scissor lift tables add more than the up-and down they also have a tilt deck for angling the table into the best ergonomic zone for workers to assemble or pack. In high-lift and multi-stage configurations, the scissor sets stacked two or even three high to reach travel ranges of six metres or greater, making these types designed for mezzanine transfer in distribution centres. Finally, vehicle lift tables are specifically designed for the automotive industry, offering low-profile run-on ramps and long decks for long wheelbase vehicles.
Adherence to Australian Standards
Whenever any powered lifting devices operated within the vicinity of personals, the safety remains in a top preferences. In Australia, material handling equipment are covered by multiple legislative umbrellas including: Work Health and Safety Act 2011 & associated Regulations Standards like AS 1418.8, governing design, testing, and operation of industrial lifting platforms, and AS 2550.9, covering safe use and maintenance, specify more exact technical requirements. It’s a mandate that requires makers to submit to static and dynamic load test at specified multiples of rated capacity and equip each unit with failsafe devices such as velocity fuses or mechanical locks that engage automatically when a hose fails. Experts advice suggests for end users; risk assessments, operator inductions and inspection regime to be documented and performed by a competent person at intervals not exceeding twelve months.
