How to lift heavy loads without deploying important means (crane, forklift, …)? How to apply an effort in a machine with a reduced footprint? What is the best lifting system for my needs?
Read this article to find the answers !
Pronal offers two types of lifting systems, the lifting bag and the lifting cushion. Their main difference? The lifting bag is always integrated in machines to perform a repetitive action while the cushion is more versatile for various lifts (emergency service, breakdown service, …)
The inflatable bag: a lifting system integrated in machines
The characteristics of a lifting bag
Inflatable bag or inflatable bladders are pneumatic systems made of rubber.
Their technical characteristics are defined according to the available space to define its dimensions, the inflation pressure to design its manufacture and the conditions of use to choose the adequate material.
We have several ranges of cylinders, each of which covers a pressure range from 0.5 bar to 8 bar -for standard products- and more for particular confections.
Moreover, we adapt the shape of the cylinder to the available space in the machine:
The different functions of a lifting bag
This product can have several functions in a machine.
We propose you to discover them thanks to projects that we have already realized!
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Lifting
One of its main functions: lifting loads. To illustrate this function, let’s take the application of the jack for the lifting of an 800 kg immersed platform. The customer wanted a lifting system to reveal underwater scenery during a water show. Therefore, we proposed two superimposed jacks. They were inflated with water coming directly from the pool. The jacks are inserted between the two plates of the platform. Then, when they are inflated (at a distance), the platform rises out of the water.
Discover the project in details : Lifting system for a platform
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Waterproofing
It’s hard to imagine it as a primary function, but yes, the inflatable jack allows you to seal a product. We can see it with the following example: use of jack to hold a big bag sleeve. During the filling of big bags, we can find ourselves with losses of yields (powders or granules) which will pollute the workshop and contaminate the operators. Therefore, we suggested the use of our lifting bag. This one is installed around the pipe which brings the product. When it is inflated, it will compensate for the space between the hose and the big bag sleeve. This pressure avoids the loss of product and thus ensures its watertightness.
Discover the project in details : Inflatable joints to hold a big-bag sleeve and ensure its watertightness.
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Tighten
The thrust of the product can also be used to tighten products. Indeed, a manufacturer of soundproofing called on us for the pressing of industrial molds. He wanted to find a solution to maintain the mold clamping during the foam injection. We proposed our cylinder which allows, in a first step, to lift the mold and to maintain it against the press stop. Then, the jack will compensate for the push of the foam and prevent it from “going out” of the mold.
Discover the project in details: Use of cylinders for the pressing of industrial molds
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Guide
Thanks to its inflatable aspect, the cylinder can allow us to guide some products. We will demonstrate this function from the example of a manufacturer of handling equipment. This last one assembles heavy parts which constitute the machine to be manufactured, in this case a telescopic arm made up of two tubes assembled one in the other. The operators will have to assemble sliding shoes inside this arm. Instead of using manual force levers, we offered them our inflatable cylinders. You insert them between the two tubes and inflate them. The operators can then guide the machine to the right or to the left according to their needs.
Discover the project in detail: a manufacturer of handling equipment uses our inflatable systems as a force lever for the wedging of parts
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Press
Finally, one of the last main functions of this product: pressing. This function can be found in the following application: the assembly of ski helmets. When making helmets, pressure must be applied to glue the felt inside the helmet. This used to be done manually. However, Pronal has come up with a tailor-made solution: inflatable PU cylinders. These are easily integrated into the helmet thanks to their thinness. When they inflate, the thrust will be evenly distributed and the felt will be perfectly glued.
Discover the project in details: he uses inflatable jacks to create his ski helmets
Inflatable jacks have many functions that can meet any of your needs!
Lifting cushions: a heavy duty lifting system
The characteristics of a lifting cushion
Lifting cushions are an alternative to hydraulic jacks. They are thin and can be inserted anywhere. They can lift loads up to 70 tons.
A lifting pad is defined according to the stroke and the load, but there is no pressure limit: the product can be used at its maximum pressure of 8 bar over its entire range of stroke, whatever it is.
The different applications of a lifting bag
There are several ranges of cushions dedicated to a particular application. For example, the CPB and CLC cushions, whatever the stroke, will always be able to lift the same load. A CPF, on the other hand, will be more useful if the load lifted must be stable. Indeed, the CPF ensures a perfect stability.
Lifting a vehicle
- for maintenance
- to change wheels
- to remove mud
Extrication
- for people in danger
- for animals or objects
Wedging
- for pipes
- for various objects (chimney..)
Lifting of mobile homes
- for maintenance
- for cleaning
Tipping of stone blocks
- for quarries
- for construction sites
Lifting of machines
- for maintenance
- for moving
If needed, the cushions can be stacked to add the different characteristics of each. For example, in this video you can see that a CPF is used to ensure the stability of the load and also a CLT to adapt the height.
Cushions are powerful lifting systems. There is also a range dedicated especially for aircraft maintenance: the PARC.
In summary
These two lifting systems each have many functions that cover the needs of many sectors. Do not hesitate to come to us with your questions and needs. Our teams are at your disposal to answer your expectations and study your projects.