As a general rule of thumb for lift table applications  when lift tables are required to cycle more than 8 times per hour, or they are in use for multiple shifts, and they can be in operation 6 -7 days per week qualifies them as high cycle. In applications such as these it is highly recommended that the lift tables(s) be ordered with the optional high duty cycle package.  There are other factors that can contribute the prudency in moving to the high cycle option.
The optional high duty cycl... Read More
Operator safety is the primary concern for any lift table equipped with a rotating top that is installed into a recessed, pre-formed pit.
First the lift table sub platform must be equipped with either beveled, tapered toe guards or electric toe sensors on the platform to prevent any potential pinch point from contacting the operator’s feet as the platform lowers into the recessed pit.
Second to avoid any chance of lowering the underside of a partially off centered rotating top onto the t... Read More
Rotating tops are commonly used to permit workers easy access to all sides of the product during fabrication, assembly or the inspection process.
Rotating tops can also minimize repetitive operator stretching, reaching or twisting by rotating and bringing the work to the worker.
The majority of rotating tops in use are either square or rectangular in shape. However in some applications a circular rotating top is preferred because a circular rotating top takes up a smaller foot print and wo... Read More
Rotating tops are available with a number of braking options to choose from.
A manually operated locking shaft mechanically locks the rotating platform in 90-degree increments and is manually retracted to release the lock when rotation is to resume.
A spring loaded rotator lock works on the same basic principle as above. The spring loaded shaft automatically engages and locks the rotator and is manually retracted to release the lock when rotation is to resume.
Spring activated detents ... Read More
Tilters are available in either hydraulic or pneumatic operation and are designed to tilt a shipping bin up to 45 degrees. The majority of tilters are installed on lift tables. A combination of both lifting and tilting the bin places the bin in an ergonomically correct position making the operator’s job easier and more efficient to load or retrieve parts from the bottom of the bin.
In an application that uses the same bin size with the same parts repetitively it is common to replace the adj... Read More
The purpose of an Up Travel limit switch is to stop the upward vertical travel of the lift table platform at a specific dimensional height repetitively.
For example if a lift table platform is being raised to match a conveyor line or is used in an indexing application the installation of an Up Travel limit switch ensures that the rising lift table platform stops repetitively at a height established by the limit switch setting.
Without an Up Travel limit switch the operator must visually wa... Read More
All models of Pentalift lift tables are provided with a 1 HP power unit as standard; a 1 HP power unit powers any capacity of lift table. However a 1 HP power unit may result in too slow of a lift speed dependent on the application. This concern becomes more prevalent for higher capacity lift tables based on the additional quantity and volume of cylinders required to achieve the increased capacity. A good and normal target lift speed for lift tables is in the 10’ - 12’ per minute range.
... Read More
In the majority of applications lift tables are surface installed; they are placed and then lagged down into position directly on the building floor. In the fully lowered position the lift table sits above floor level. In this application as standard lift tables are provided with straight, vertical steel plates on the sides and ends on the platform, these vertical steel plates on the platform are referred to as straight toe guards.
However if the lift table is to be installed into a recessed ... Read More
Electric toe sensors are most commonly used on a lift table that is installed in a pre-formed pit.
The toe sensors consist of a 4 sided steel bar assembly that is suspended by chains just below the underside of the lift table platform. The toe sensor is equipped with 4 electric limit switches that are wired in series in the closed position.
To lower the platform the operator depresses the control station down button. The electric signal travels from the down button through the 4 closed cir... Read More
The majority of lift table applications are stationary, the lift table is lagged into position and the electrical connection is hard wired. However there are applications that require a lift table with the ability to be moved from one work station to another.
One of the portability designs available to move a lift table from one work station to another is referred to as Semi-Portable. A semi portable design must be moved with the platform empty and in the fully lowered position.
On one end... Read More