PECM Issue 23 2016 | Page 98

We are an independent, privatelyowned company representing a number of manufacturers from across the world within the mechanical power transmission and processing industry in Great Britain and Ireland. How To Specify Simple, Reliable And Adaptable Screw Jacks he need to raise a load is one of the most common requirements in industry. This is often achieved with a screw jack, but these need to be used in conjunction with other drive components and possibly in a system of several synchronised screw jacks. Ian Carr of Drive Lines Technologies explains how lifting systems are typically designed. T In Drive Lines' thirty-plus years of service to the British machine building and design engineering communities we have helped with the development of innumerable 98 PECM Issue 23 screw jack lifting systems, and built up our expertise to the point where we are now probably the nation's 'go-to guys' for help with such projects. We find that most of our clients have a good idea of the system they need to build, so most of our input is directed to helping them refine their design and selecting the best components for the job in hand. However, a few need help with the basics and we are happy to get stuck in at this level too. So, let's start with a quick run through the basics, then move onto more detailed ideas. Screw jacks provide linear motion so are used to lift, lower, position, align and hold loads. In this they are similar to hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders, their advantage being they don't need an expensive power pack or compressor, just a simple motor drive system. Other attributes of screw jacks include that they are simple and therefore reliable, accurate in use, numbers of them can