When designing a material handling system, it is crucial to evaluate each piece of equipment and determine the right fit for the application. In most systems, a change of elevation can be the most challenging aspect of a system to design and evaluate.

The reason for this challenge is because it is very difficult for most system integrators to determine what kind of elevation-changing equipment to incorporate, and what specs are required to enable it to perform at the level needed for the application. In this blog, we will be discussing lifts and elevators, where they are needed, what makes them unique from each other, and what are some specifications to consider when designing a system. For the sake of this blog we are going to focus on lifts and elevators that are typically used in pallet handling.

Elevators

When considering to integrate an elevator into a system, the first thing to remember is that elevators are typically used to transport/elevate a load or loads from the first level to a completely different level. This can be from one level of conveyor to another, or from conveyor to another floor level of the building.

Elevators should be considered when the application requires:

• Elevating a load long distances

• Slower speeds

• Lower amount of cycles

• Heavier loads or multiple loads to be transported at one time

• Manual unloading if transporting load to a different floor level of a building

Lifts

In comparison to elevators, lifts are almost the complete opposite if considering when and where to integrate them into a system. Typically, lifts are used to prepare the loads for a different application later in the sequence that requires a slightly higher elevation. This application can be anything like manual assembly, feeding an existing piece of equipment, or simply to transport a load over other pieces of equipment to save floor space.

Lifts should be considered when the application requires:

• Elevating a load short distances

• Higher speeds

• Higher amount of cycles

• Medium/heavy loads (1,000 - 5,000 lbs.) or a single load to be transported at one time.

Tuff Lifts

Here at Tuff Automation, our lifts are one of many of our specialties that come from a long line of design experience. Our custom made lifts can be designed in any size, cycle time, or any other specifications you may have. One of the unique characteristics of our lifts is their strength and durability. When people see that Tuff Automation sticker on their lifts, they know they are getting equipment that will last and require less maintenance.

Therefore, our top priority is to provide long-lasting lifts that can withstand the test of time. This includes lifts that are designed with heavy gauged steel and premium components from top manufacturers in the industry.

Lifts from Tuff Automation, click here: https://www.tuffautomation.com/lifts

Tuff Automation capabilities, click here: https://www.tuffautomation.com