Industrial Lifting Solutions

Lifting

Lifting is the action of raising an object to a higher level or moving an object to a different position. Knowing the load being lifted is essential for sizing actuators, ensuring proper process operation, and validating equipment durability, thereby guaranteeing the protection of operators and equipment.

There are several methods for determining the lifted load:

• Using a simple tension sensor, such as an S-type load cell, a threaded rod sensor, a bending beam, or even a 3-axis force sensor: an economical and precise solution for measurements ranging from a few kilograms to 20 tons. These solutions are applied in medical equipment, packaging, robotics, drones, and machine tools.

• For harsher environments requiring higher capacities, instrumented pins or shackles, or chain tension sensors are used instead. These solutions are extremely robust, watertight, and even submersible, allowing for capacities of several thousand tons.

Aerial Work Platforms

A manufacturer of aerial work platforms wants to test its self-propelled platform to ensure it can operate at high capacities when in use and at different angles. These tests are essential for the safety and protection of operators as well as individuals present at the site where the equipment is used.

Sensors help prevent accidents in the event of lifting overload. The 3-axis force sensor K3D160 captures the data needed for real-time monitoring. Combined with the weight indicator and programmable controller 920i, the operator had precise information when using the equipment.

Mooring Line Tension Monitoring

Offshore equipment is proliferating, particularly in the energy sector, with the rise of floating power plants: wind, photovoltaic, and submerged plants harnessing marine currents or wave energy. Mooring lines connect this equipment to land and constitute the sole device keeping the equipment in position.

Measuring tension in the mooring line provides crucial information in design (sizing based on actual forces) and operation (monitoring mooring line tension allows for immediate detection of rupture).

Instrumented pins ALP, instrumented shackles, and chain tension sensors, combined with wired or wireless electronics, provide a reliable, precise, and cost-effective response to the technical challenges (immersion, high loads, access difficulties) inherent in this type of application.

Crane Load Control

A customer wanted to regulate the maximum number of heavy loads lifted to ensure production time was both safe for workers and efficient. The customer also wanted to perform lifting tasks faster and with little or no additional cost. A wireless solution was preferred to avoid interference from long cables during production.

Interface’s stainless steel wireless load pin WTSLP, which can be custom-made to fit all types of cranes, proved ideal for lifting over short and long distances. Combined with the WTS wireless telemetry system, force is measured and recorded. The customer was able to monitor the crane’s continuous force and gather information on lifted loads. Data was transmitted and recorded on the customer’s computer for review and analysis.

Aircraft Engine Lifting Beam

An aerospace manufacturer seeks to verify its setup for lifting engines. The beam is used for engine installation/removal, and its proper operation is crucial.

The deployed force chain consists of a pair of instrumented shackles ISHK-D connected to a miniature wireless acquisition module GSV-6BT. Results are sent to a PC equipped with Windows 10 GSVmulti acquisition software.