| Technical Specifications | ||
| Payload | 300 | kg |
| Platform diameter | 2,000 | mm |
| Effective Stroke | 100 | mm |
| Power | 0.75 | kW |
| Lifting Time | ~ 3 | s |
| Lowering Time | ~ 3 | s |
| Product Category | Rotary Table | |
| Design | Scissor Lift Table | |
For a contract manufacturer, we developed a mobile rotary platform that collects finished components and distributes them across a large surface area. This provides greater capacity at the end of the conveyor belt – an important prerequisite for longer unattended run times of the CNC machining centers. The mobile scissor lift table can be used flexibly with different machines and was tailored to the specific on-site requirements.
The Challenge: Automatically Collecting Finished Parts
In contract manufacturing, CNC machining centers should ideally operate for as long as possible without operator intervention. One challenge arises at the end of the machining process: finished workpieces leave the machine via a conveyor belt and need to be reliably collected and stored.
Without manual removal, the parts accumulate at the transfer point. This can lead to a backlog that interrupts the machining process. In addition, freshly machined workpieces often carry residual coolant, which needs to be collected and drained in a controlled manner.
Another customer requirement was that the solution had to be mobile and suitable for use with several machining centers featuring different discharge heights.
The Solution: Mobile Scissor Lift with Rotary Platform
For this application, we developed a mobile scissor lift table with a rotary platform measuring two meters in diameter. Positioned directly behind the conveyor belt, the platform collects the workpieces and uses a continuous rotating motion to distribute them evenly across the available surface. This allows more parts to be collected before the platform needs to be emptied.
The rotation speed can be continuously adjusted via a potentiometer to suit the size of the components and the machine cycle time. A raised edge around the platform prevents workpieces from sliding off. Any residual coolant carried by the workpieces is collected and discharged in a controlled manner through a central drain.
Flexible Use with Multiple CNC Machines
Since the machining centers’ conveyor belts have different discharge heights, the scissor lift table features a lifting range of 100 mm. This allows the platform height to be adjusted to suit each machine. An audible warning signal alerts nearby personnel whenever the platform is being raised or lowered.
Four swivel casters allow the unit to be positioned directly at the machine. For transport over longer distances, the lift table can be moved using the integrated forklift pockets.
The Result: Longer Run Times, Less Operator Intervention
The increased collection capacity allows the CNC machining centers to operate for longer periods without intervention at the parts discharge point. Operators no longer need to be continuously available to remove finished parts and can focus on other tasks such as machine setup or quality control.
The solution requires no extensive modifications to the existing machines. The mobile scissor lift table is positioned at the respective machine, adjusted to the appropriate discharge height, and takes care of collecting and distributing the finished workpieces.
As a custom-engineered solution, the concept can be adapted to similar applications and tailored to different component ranges, machine heights, load capacities, and space constraints.
Further References:
▶ Lift table with a powered rotating platform
▶ Work lift table for versatile applications
