Pit-Mounted Lift Becomes Correct Approach for Aircraft Component Manufacturer

A large aircraft component manufacturer was searching for a safer and ergonomically correct approach to loading components into an autoclave while increasing efficiency and lowering costs. The answer was a custom built hydraulic pit mounted scissor lift, which also provided the benefit of automating the process. Previously, loading the autoclave required three employees to push a cart which was loaded with another cart, that actually holds the components, to the autoclave. The reason for the two carts was to compensate for the floor of the autoclave being 22" above floor level. Once the "carts" were in position, the top cart holding the components was mechanically pushed into the autoclave. The solution is a custom pit mounted scissor lift with automated circuits to control the raising and lowering of the lift, as well as, the control of the hydraulic bridge plate, which provides the transition between the lift and the autoclave. The 74" x 254" deck is slotted to accommodate the wheels of the transfer cart for aligning during loading and unloading. Because the lift will automatically rise to the correct height to mate with the floor of the autoclave, need for the base cart is eliminated. Also, the number of employees dedicated to this operation has been reduced.