Tools for Lifters

Ergonomic Tools for Lifters:
Our Selection of Material Handling Equipment for our Lifting Machines

To assist in lifting and manipulating loads, we have designed a wide range of material handling equipment, also known as lifting tools, which can be mounted on our lifting machines.

A lifting tool is the component that connects the lifting machine to the load being handled. Since the lifting tool makes direct contact with the load, it is also referred to as an “end effector.”

As the names indicate we distinguish between a tool that can manipulate a load and one that cannot:

– A manipulator is required when you need to do more than merely lifting a load up and down. In addition to lifting, a manipulator can rotate, tilt, or swing the load.

– A non-manipulator can only hold or support the load during vertical movement, lifting it up and down without any additional manipulation.

Our Three Categories of Lifting Tools

At 2Lift, we offer three categories of handling equipment: manipulators (available in both electric and manual versions) and non-manipulators.

For more detailed information about each type of lifting tool, please follow the links below. For a broader overview of all types of lifting tools, please continue reading.

How Do the Three Types of Lifting Tools Work?

Besides the potential for load manipulation, the key differences between these three types of handling equipment lie in their power source and assistance.

The differences can be summed up in this way:

– Power source: the means (power source) by which the lifting tool performs its function – whether by electrical power or through human effort.

– Power assistance: the extent of technological or electrical assistance required to operate the lifting tools including elements such as motors, programming, actuators, switches, sensors etc.) required to operate the lifting tool. This also determines the level of physical involvement needed from the operator.

Electrical Manipulators:
– For Heavy, More Complex Lifting Operations … All It Takes Is the Push of a Button

Electrical manipulators operate, as the name suggests, through the means of electricity. This significantly reduces – practically eliminates – any physical strain on the operator.

The operator typically does not come into direct physical contact with the load, as all manipulation is controlled remotely, by simply pressing buttons on a remote control.

Electrical Manipulators Are an Excellent Choice When You Need to …

– Manipulate a very heavy load that would be difficult or unsafe to handle manually
– Manipulate a heavy load faster than what is possible with a manual manipulator
– Manipulate a load far from its centre of gravity. The further the lift point is from the centre of gravity, the more challenging the process becomes, as it requires more strength to lift, stabilise, and balance the load. This is especially true for loads with uneven weight distribution.
– Lift from positions that are not directly accessible, such as high shelves or tight spaces.
– Move or manipulate a load at a predetermined angle, such as tipping a drum or box with accuracy.

Manual Manipulators:
– For Lighter, More Tactile Lifting Operations … When You Need More Hands-on Control

Manual manipulators rely on human effort to operate, but their intelligent ergonomic and mechanical design significantly reduces any physical strain on the operator.

Common methods for manipulating a load with our handling equipment include turning it directly by hand, using a hand crank, or operating a handle on a wheel.

Manual Manipulators Are an Excellent Choice When You Need to …

– Manipulate lighter loads that don’t require the power of electrical systems.
– Turn something close to its centre of gravity, which minimizes the manual effort needed to move the load.
– Apply tactile control and precision when manipulating the load, allowing for finer adjustments and a hands-on approach.
– Turn lighter loads faster than is possible (allowed) with an electrical manipulator, providing greater speed and flexibility for certain tasks.

Non-Manipulators:
– For Simple Lifting Operations … When You Also Want the Bonus of Tool Versatility

Non-manipulators work by passively supporting or holding a load. As the name suggests, a non-manipulator does not actively manipulate the load.

However, in some cases – though not always – there may be some degree of manual effort involved in the loading or off-loading process, such as pushing a load onto a platform or mandrel.

Non-Manipulators Are an Excellent Choice When You Need to …

– Lift something vertically – simply raising or lowering a load without any need for manipulation.
– Use the same tool for different loads, such as using a fork to lift both pallets and boxes, offering versatility across various types of loads.

Sometimes the Optimal Solution Is Mixture of Different Types of Tools

Due to the different features of the three categories of lifting tools, the best solution is sometimes a combination of different tools. For instance, it is common to combine a non-manipulator with either an electrical or manual manipulator.

The non-manipulator is typically used to hold or grip the load, while the manipulator is employed to perform additional movements, such as rotating or tilting the load.

Key Differences in Our Handling Equipment Tools

Feature	Electrical Manipulators	Manual Manipulators	Non-Manipulators
Power Source	Electric	Human effort	None or electric
Power Assistance	Fully assisted	None	None or fully assisted
Weight Handling Capacity	High	Medium to low	Varies
Manipulation Speed	High with heavy loads	Medium with heavy loads. Fast with lighter loads.	None, does not manipulate.
Precision and Control	High (when a certain positioning angle is needed) otherwise medium	High	Medium

Do You Have a Load with Special Dimensions or a Work Area with Spacial Challenges? No Problem!

Most of our standard lifting tools can easily be adapted to a particular load or situation. And if your requirements are beyond possible adaptation of our standard tools, we will customize your lifting tools from scratch.

Whatever the case, our engineers will work closely with you to design the optimal handling equipment solution tailored to your unique needs.

Thanks to the flexibility built into our modular design, many of our manipulators and non-manipulators are compatible with our RTC (Rapid Tool Change) system.

This system makes it easy to swap lifting tools on the same lifter. For example, you can quickly change from a manual roll manipulator to a V-block or mandrel, providing versatility for different tasks.

We Put a Lot of Thought into the Choice of Material in and on the Lifting Tools

When you choose a handling equipment solution from 2Lift, one of our top priorities is ensuring that the materials used in the lifting tools are perfectly suited to your working environment and situation. As such, all our tools are made from either steel or stainless steel, depending on your specific requirements.

As a standard practice, we typically use stainless steel tools for lifters made from steel. The reason for this is that stainless steel does not require surface treatment, as it is ‘self-healing’ (exposure to oxygen will regenerate the protective surface film). Steel, on the other hand, requires surface treatment, which can wear off over time, increasing the risk of contamination.

Since the lifting tool is the part of the lifter that comes into direct contact with the load, it will be more exposed to wear and tear. By using stainless steel, we ensure that there will not be any case of surface treatment wearing or falling off.

Besides the choice of steel alloy, we also put a lot of thought into the choice of material on the lifting tools. For instance if the load is a final product it will need a particularly gentle and careful handling. To ensure that the load isn’t damaged in any way we may add plastic to the contact surfaces of the tool to prevent any scratches or indents on the load.

And last but not least we design our lifters to be as lightweight as possible while maintaining strength and durability, ensuring safe and easy maneuverability.

Simplicity is King when It Comes to Safety:
– The Simpler the Tools, the Smaller the Margin for Error

To enhance user safety, we strive to keep our tools as simple as possible while still ensuring they are fully capable of performing the tasks required for optimal load handling.

There is a simple rule that guides our design process: the more complex the tool, the greater the likelihood of errors. Therefore, the fewer ways a user can manipulate a given load, the higher the safety of the operation.

When designing our manipulators, we carefully assess all potential safety issues related to the different ways the manipulator needs to move. The movement options of the manipulators are referred to as degrees of freedom, of which there can be a maximum of 6. However, having six degrees of freedom is very rare.

When considering safety in terms of degrees of freedom, non-manipulators are the safest option, as they do not manipulate the load at all. However, the lifter itself still introduces one degree of freedom – lifting the tool up and down.

Our lifters, when combined with either electrical or manual manipulators, will typically offer 2-4 degrees of freedom: vertical movement (up and down), rotation, swinging, and/or tipping.

We Take a Holistic Approach to Each Lifting Solution
– The Tool Needs to Work Optimally with all the Other Lifter Components

Creating an effective and functional lifting solution is not a fragmented process of simply attaching a lifting tool to a lifting machine. It requires careful consideration of how each component works together with all the other aspects of the lifter.

One key area that demands particular attention is the wheelbase or legs of the lifter. For example, if you need a platform that can lower all the way to the floor, the width between the legs must be adjusted to allow the platform to pass freely between them.

Alternatively, if the legs need to slide under a pallet, the platform will need to be narrower and will not be able to go all the way down to the floor.

Such considerations are critical to ensuring a functional and efficient lifting solution that meets your specific needs.

Please, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

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