Column lift as goods lift

With the column lift shown here, loads weighing up to two tons are transported to a 4,500-mm-high mezzanine level. The conveyed material is then pumped into a silo for further mixing and can be easily removed on the ground floor.

Our standard column lift provides the basis for this simplified goods lift. As it is loaded and unloaded on the two narrow sides, our two-column lift variant can be used. Compared to a one-sided lifting frame, this has the advantage that almost no torque is transmitted to the guide when loaded correctly.

Two landings

The lift is used to stop at two landings. The first one is at ground floor level and the second one about 4,500 mm higher on a platform built by the customer.

No pit

For environmental reasons, the integrity of the concrete floor was crucial for this customer. For this reason, a pit was not used and a ramp plate was installed in front of the platform of the column lift instead. We also use chemical anchor bolts for cracked concrete instead of the usual expansion anchors for anchoring. This guarantees that the concrete is still in perfect condition after anchoring.

Opening in the floor

The images clearly show that this column lift does not run in a shaft, but is only secured at the bottom and top landing with am enclosure.

In this installation, special attention must be paid to the opening in the floor. As the platform of the lift passes the opening in the floor, a dangerous crushing and shearing edge is created. For this reason, we decided to install light barriers along the opening in the floor. If the light beam is interrupted, any lifting movement of the column lift is stopped immediately.

Securing the operating site

As the customer described the exact installation and application situation to us when the quotation was prepared, it was easy to determine the necessary safety measures. This enabled us to install all the necessary enclosures, safeguards and sensors during our installation and the system was released for operation after 1.5 days.

Unfortunately, this does not always work in such an exemplary manner. If we discover that the conditions in which the simplified goods lift has to be installed leads to a hazardous situation not known to us, we are unfortunately not allowed to issue you with a CE declaration as the manufacturer and therefore operation is not permitted for the time being. Operation may only commence after all hazards have been eliminated. Therefore we would like to ask you again to provide us with all necessary information already when the quotation is being prepared. This will save you additional costs, for example, to start the process again or the trouble with the employer's liability insurance association.

Electromechanically locked doors

The door of the respective floor can only be opened when the platform of the column lift is on the same floor. This is ensured by a combination of inductive sensors and electromechanical door locks.

As the lift does not run in a completely closed shaft in this case, a railing with an appropriately secured door on the platform was also necessary. This prevents loads from falling off the platform and causing damage in the immediate vicinity.

Loading and unloading in the top position

Because the column lift is also loaded and unloaded in the top position, two special features had to be taken into account.

1. Pressure build-up in the top position
   Hydraulic systems have a tendency to compress and rebound when the load is transferred. The strength of this suspension depends on the pressure difference, in other words, the lower the system pressure before load transfer, the greater the compression and rebound. This is why our control system is designed in such a way that we deliberately increase the pressure in the top position to almost completely eliminate the compression and rebound.
2. Pressure switch as protection against overload
   If a lift table or column lift is only loaded in the bottom position, a pressure relief valve is sufficient to protect the mechanical system. However, if the lift is also loaded in a raised position, this protection is not sufficient.
   For this reason, we use an electronic pressure switch in the hydraulic system that permanently registers the mechanical load and shuts the column lift down if necessary. Of course, in this case a corresponding warning is displayed so that the cause of the malfunction can be quickly remedied.

Soft approach of the landings

The lift used here is operated with a 5.2 kW power unit. If the platform were to approach the landings at full speed, this would result in unpleasant noise pollution. To provide the customer's employees a more attractive work environment, the lift therefore reduces its speed automatically shortly before the landings and travels to the desired end position with little noise.

The lifts are subjected to external inspection from time to time. A hose rupture test has been integrated into our hydraulic power unit to always be prepared for this. This means that the inspector can determine how the lift will behave in the event of a hose break without causing large oil smears.