You might say there is nothing special about the scissor lift. Unlike the articulated boom lift, it is rigid and it is dull. It is a common sight on construction sites, huge supermarkets, warehouses, buildings where workers need a safe way to reach heights to carry out repairs for maintenance and so on. Like any other, there is history behind this dull equipment.
A scissor lift is a mobile platform that rises. The elevating mechanism consists of arms that connect in the middle like scissors hence the name. It is an industrial lift that has traditionally been used in manufacturing and production settings to lift and lower people and materials. It has since been modified for retail and wholesale settings.
Basically, the scissor lift is platform with wheels that acts like a forklift. In a non-industrial setting, it is useful for completing tasks which require the speed, mobility and transporting of people and material above ground level.
The scissor lift is unique as it does not use a straight support to raise workers into the air. Instead, the platform raises when the linked, folding supports underneath it draw together, stretching it upward. This is called pantograph. Interestingly, the first pantograph was constructed in 1603 by Christoph Scheiner, who used the device to copy and scale diagram.
Pantograph device.
The number of arms in the scissor mechanism varies according to the height of each particular model. It is a bumpy ride to the top however the design keeps it from travelling with a constant velocity. Instead, it travels faster in the middle of the vertical ride and slower with more extension.
The first scissor lifts were built in the 1970s; although improvements in materials and safety have been made since then, the core design is often still used. The concept was ideal for many retail establishments with the expansion of their inventory. Comparing to a forklift, the scissor lift boasted portability along with effectiveness.
In addition, they were the only compact industrial platforms that could be retracted and fit into the corner of the room.
Ultimately, the use of scissor lifts for practical and functional purposes have increased. Modern scissor lifts maintain a presence in nearly all aspects of manufacturing and production, from construction to assembly to vehicle repair and beyond.
Newer models can travel over the smooth surface of the airport, shopping mall, warehouse or hypermarket floors, for example Optimum 8 that does not leave behind tyre marks, or the uneven terrain of a construction site, for example Compact 10 DX.
Scissor lifts can also be custom made. We can see heavy duty scissor lifts in many industries and can even withstand harsh temperature environments.
In the energy industry, massive scissor platform lifts are used to assemble large energy turbines.
The use of scissor lifts can also be found in the entertainment industry. In action film productions, there are many stunts and special eff ects to be considered. Besides using the aerial boom lifts, cameramen would use the scissor lift for better aerial shots.
Recently, our H 15 SX had been used for a movie production in Mexico City; James Bond Spectre which is scheduled to be released on 6 November 2015.
Other customised scissor lift can be found in stage performances. Performers would emerge on the scissor platform from below stage level just like Rihanna and Eminem in The Monster Tour.
You may also wonder how a dinosaur is raised above the ground and move up and down its head into the crowd in the theme park. The scissor lift is part of the special effect!
Who says scissor lift is dull?
