What is an elevator or lift Safestop System?
Anytime an elevator cabin is stationary and level with its corresponding floor, whether loading or unloading, it must remain in that position. Any movement, up or down, is unacceptable and unsafe, especially if forklifts, vehicles or other machinery moves in and out of the cabin.
Many freight elevators utilize hydraulic methods for stop and vertical hold control. RACO’s Safetop system integrates an all electric concept into its standard design, thus eliminating the disadvantages of messy hydraulic leaks, piping prone to excessive wear, inconsistent position control, and having additional components pumps and valves to power. The RACO system is highly reliable and requires very little maintenance. An electric actuator is also energy efficient, only consuming electricity when moving.
Every vertical lift freight elevator needs a safe, effective system to hold the entire load and cabin level to its corresponding floor (as seen in the Freight elevator Classes Types below). These elevators include palletizers, bucket elevators, car/vehicle lifts, and all other Classes of Freight Elevators, big and small.
Classes of Freight Elevators
Freight elevators are classified by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) into three main categories—Class A, B, and C. These classes based on the loading method, weight distribution, and capacity. Class C is further divided into industrial truck loading types. These classes define how freight is handled while maintaining structural safety for the different load types. Key considerations are Capacity, which defines the total weight allowed, the Loading Method which determines if the lift is for manual hand carts (Class A) or for heavy machinery or vehicles (Classes B or C). Lastly, Durability is a major consideration as Freight elevators are built to handle heavier, more concentrated loads than passenger elevators. The RACO Safestop assembly is extremely reliable and durable.
RACO’s Safestop System and how it works:
The RACO pin stop device secures the elevator cabin from vertical motion in accordance with DIN EN 81-50, regarding movements during loading and unloading. Limiting any spring deflection when loading and unloading the cabin also makes driving forklifts, vehicles, and industrial trucks possible in and out of the cabin.
The RACO mounting device is a modular assembly system with tried and tested components. The centerpiece is the RACO electric actuator, size 2, T1A2, which is a workhorse in the industry and a common drive unit in many freight elevators.
The base plate of the attachment device houses the bolt guide and the sensors for position. The electric actuator and mounting assembly can be pre-assembled or individually mounted, one after the other under the cabin. This makes installation of each pin stop device, easier in hard to access mounting areas.
Using the RACO workhorse, all electric Modular Actuator unit T1A2 in conjunction with the fully tested, heavy duty bolt and housing assembly provides for an easy to install and operate safestop system. These systems have been supplied successfully in Europe for years, often replacing hydraulic systems
Benefits of a RACO Safestop System:
The total weight of the mounting system is approximately 40 kg; the heaviest component weighing less than 20 kg.
The modular design, allows for components to be adapted individually or as one unit, allowing for easy installation.
Oher RACO Advantages: