User:Mgkay/Lift table

An industrial lift table is a device that employs a scissors mechanism to raise, lower, or position goods and/or persons. It is also commonly referred to as a scissors lift or just a lift. Their vertical travel, capacity, and platform size is incredibly broad. Similarly, there are a broad number of applications that lift tables can and are used to improve process, safety, or ergonomic activities.

Defining aspects of a lift table
The following are the major defining aspects of lift tables:
 * Travel: The vertical distance, which the platform moves from a fully lowered height to full raised height.
 * Lowered Height: The total height, measured from the bottom of the base to the top of the platform when the lift is in a fully closed position.
 * Raised Height: The total height, measured from the bottom of the base to the top of the platform when the lift is in a fully open position.
 * Capacity: The rated capacity of a scissors lift is defined in three different ways: Lifting Capacity, the rated capacity of a scissors lift applied as a uniformly distributed load while the platform is raising or lowering. Rated Capacity, the maximum load which can be applied to the platform according to the manufacturer’s specification. Rollover Capacity, the maximum amount of single axle load which can be rolled over the platform surface when the lift is in its fully closed position.
 * Platform: The horizontal surface of the platform where the load is placed or a person may stand.
 * Footprint: The dimensions of the lift as measured at the base or platform.
 * Actuation: A lift table can be actuated by a variety of methods. The following are the most typical options: Hydraulic, the lift is raised and lowered via means of hydraulic cylinders powered by a hydraulic pump using AC power (the most normal power source for a hydraulic system), rechargeable battery (for mobile lifts), or a manual hand or foot pump. Mechanical, lifts raised and lowered by a variety of powered or non-powered mechanical actuators. Pneumatic, the lift table is raised and lowered by compressed air (this can take the form of pneumatic cylinders or air bags).


 * Controls: Lift tables are commonly controlled by a hand held pendant control with push buttons. Foot pedals are also a common control method. Automated and/or integrated controls to match with a sequence of operation are available as well.
 * Mounting: Surface, lifts are surface mounted when the lowered height does not interfere with the application. For example: If the lift is lowered as material is stacked on a pallet and then the pallet is removed by a fork truck, the lowered height of the lift does not interfere with the application because the fork truck does not need to drive onto the lift to pick up the loaded pallet. Pit, lifts are pit mounted when the platform must be flush with the surrounding surface; for example, if the lift is lowered as materials are stacked on a pallet and the pallet is then removed by a pallet jack, the platform must be flush with the surrounding surface because the pallet jack must be able to roll onto the lift platform to remove the loaded pallet. Mobile, a lift is mobile or portable when it must serve more than one work station. A mobile lift can be manual or power driven. Mobile lifts can also be used to transport a load from one location to another. The lift can be track mounted or have fixed or movable caster wheels for maneuverability.


 * Scissor Leg arrangements: Single scissor leg arrangements are the most common. This arrangement consists of a leg set (a scissor on each side) lifting the platform. Multiple stacked leg arrangements use more than one leg set (scissor on each side) stacked on top of each other. The benefit is increased travel over an single scissor leg arrangement of the same size. The more leg sets stacked on top, the greater the travel. Tandem leg arrangements use more than one leg set (scissor on each side) arranged either side by side or end to end. This arrangement is generally utilized on large size platforms to accommodate a more evenly distributed load support.

Categories of lift tables

 * Ergonomic: Ergonomic lift tables are used to reduce operator fatigue, discomfort, and wasted motion.
 * Work Platform: Work platform lift tables are used to move people closer to the work. These platforms are designed to move workers to a variety of heights. The work area maybe designed in many shapes and may include shuttle decks to move the worker horizontally closer to the work. Safety is a critical concern in the design of a work platform as people are being moved in and around the work process.
 * Automated Material Handling: Scissor lifts can be operated manually, but with more automated material handling systems many scissors lifts are needed to be designed into an automated system and to be controlled within this system.
 * Vertical Transfer: Lift tables used to transfer material, goods or personnel between two or more fixed elevations.
 * Dock Applications: Scissors Lifts to raise and lower to allow loading and unloading of a variety of truck bed heights or Lifts to raise and lower the truck itself to match the height of the dock. Dock Lifts can be pit mounted, dock mounted, or remain portable.

Lift table platform options

 * Tilters:
 * Turntables:
 * Handrails and gates:
 * Conveyors:
 * Tooling or Fixtures:
 * Vee cradles:
 * Ball transfer:
 * Racking or shelving:
 * Side or end shifting:

Lift table applications

 * Dock:
 * Mezzanine:
 * Work Platform:
 * Ergonomics:
 * Wash Down:
 * Pallet Handling:
 * Bin and Basket:
 * Precision Positioning:
 * Clean Room:
 * Hazardous Environment:
 * Sheet Handling:
 * Assembly:
 * Conveyor:
 * Entertainment:

Scissor lift table standards
ANSI MH29.1 – Industrial Scissor Lifts Safety Requirements is a comprehensive safety standard to establish a minimum design and performance criteria to ensure the safe application and utilization of industrial scissors lifts. MH29.1 is intended to serve as a guide for designers, manufacturers, sellers, installers, equipment specifiers, owners, users and governing bodies of industrial scissor lifts. This standard is in conformance with International Code Council (ICC) Standards and is recognized by the International Building Code (IBC). The IBC code is adopted by regulators in almost all 50 states in America.

In Europe, there is a published standard BS EN 1570: 1998 + A2: 2009 Safety requirements for lifting tables. Standard EN 1570-1 is now EN 15701-1:2011+A1:2014. It is a Type C standard and compliance with this standard confers conformity with the Machinery Directive, 2006/42/EC. Work is already being undertaken to revise this standard and possibly split it into 3 parts. It specifies the criteria for the raising and lowering of goods and/or persons associated with the movement of goods carried by lifting tables. When using lift tables for uses not covered by international/regional standards, e.g., EN1570, then further consideration may need to be given to the associated Risks and hazards.