04/03/2000 Design News
DESIGNER'S CORNER Useful technology for your idea file
Upender-inverter
Upending or inverting a three-ton object would be simple for Superman, but for ordinary folks it's a dangerous, time-consuming endeavor. Nonetheless, scores of heavy, large objects are stood up or flipped over at construction, warehouse, and factory sites every day. Designed to safely and quickly upend or invert heavy loads, the upender-inverter uses a chain-driven electromechanical drive system to rotate the heavy welded steel, circular structure over four cam-follower-type roller bearings. A hydraulically operated scissors platform with adjustable clamping pressure supports the load. The unit can be equipped with a roller conveyor so that the load can be guided in automatically, and can be loaded/unloaded from three different sides.
Platform sizes available are 4 x 4, 6 x 4, or 8 x 6 ft, with throat openings of 48, 62, and 74 inches. Standard units available in 2,000, 4,000, 6,000, and 10,000-lb capacities, operate on 220/440V, 3-phase, with controls that operate on 110V. Applications include inverting molds, castings, pallets, plywood sheets, glass, or printed materials.
Pete Novak, Air Technical Industries, 7501 Clover Ave., Mentor, OH 44060; Tel: (800) 321-9680; Fax: (440) 953-9237.