18th October 2002
Ref : ESS/MS/GI-B
Oktopus UK Ltd. will deliver to site the GI-B Lifting Machine and undertake to demonstrate the requisite tasks effectively and safely.
Training of the Client's operators, in the safe and correct use and understanding of the machine, will be included as part of and following the demonstration.
The machine is supplied with an Operating Manual, a Risk Assessment and documentation necessary for compliance with the Inspection and Testing Certificate and the Inspection and Examination Certificate.
The Machinery also carries the CE Marking.
The machine is totally independent of any external electrical supply during use. The motive power is obtained from on-board batteries providing a 24v DC supply. Lift is achieved via a vacuum pump connected to an integral piped system to Suction Pads affixed to a hydraulically elevated and controlled support frame. A pressure sensor together with a visual gauge, Warning Beacon and Klaxon combine to provide an audio-visual operating system. The operation of the machine is controlled from a hand held unit connected via cable through a coiled drum reel. In the event of vacuum pump or power failure, the system is designed to hold the load in secure status for approximately eight minutes. Battery charge level indicator lights are also fitted and the pump will not operate below a predetermined charge level.
Machine weight: 450 Kg
Operation: Hand held Cable fed Control.
Power source: 24v DC Battery
Pneumatic pressure: -0.8 bar (approx).
Hydraulic pressure: 160 bar
Lift system: Vacuum suction pads.
Panel Lifting capacity: 250 Kg (Max SWL)
Application use: Insulated or composite wall panels in
Vertical, Horizontal or Ceiling mounting position.
For placement of vertical panels, a clear working area in front of the section of walling to be covered must be provided. To safeguard against the panel dropping and toppling, this should extend at least one metre greater than the length of the panel, in all directions measured from the edges of the panel when being fitted.
Horizontal placement requires at least one metre clearance, on either side of the span and up to fifteen metres from the wall. This is necessary to accommodate the panel stack and allow access for the fork-lift or telescopic handler with the machine in situ.
Ceiling placement will require allowances similar to those afforded the fitting of horizontal panels.
The panel pack should be placed on a flat, level surface within this space alongside the wall as close as convenient.
The truck, or handler, complete with the GI-B machine correctly and safely mounted on the forks set in their horizontal position, should be positioned next to the panel stack such that the operator can lower the suction frame to engage with the top panel in the desired position.
The Locking Bolt must be withdrawn before attempting to lift the panel. With the suction frame displaced approximately two thirds along the panel and engaged, the panel will separate as the fork-lift starts to lift vertically. Gravity effects pivoting of the panel into the vertical position and rotation is achieved, with ground operator assistance, for stability, as lifting continues. The installation height is controlled by the fork-lift and when at the desired height, placement of the panel to the wall is controlled by the panel fixer. In some instances, due to space limitation, if the panels are easily manageable, the fork-lift may have to travel from the stack to the wall carrying the vertically held panel, before placement can be achieved.
Further operators then complete the fixing of the panel to the structure and the ground controller then releases the machine to be returned to the original position to collect the next panel on the stack.
For longer panels, the offset distance of the suction frame from the centre position will dictate the size of telehandler necessary to bring about the required lift and the maximum elevation possible.
The Locking Bolt must be fully engaged for this application.
With the suction beam centrally displaced over the panel, the hydraulic lift is engaged and the panel will be rotated through 90º to assume a horizontally held position. Unsymmetrical positioning of the suction beam on the panel will cause excessive loading on the locking bolt and should be avoided if at all possible.
Ceiling Mounted Panels
The procedure to follow is identical to that for the horizontal lift except that the hydraulic arm is allowed to continue lifting until the panel attains the inverted state. Height placement thereafter is controlled by the prime lifting machine
A list of Daily checks accompanies the machine and the emphasis for the need to follow the procedures to ensure the continuance of the safe working practice is stressed during the operator instruction.
The machine batteries must be re-charged every night to maintain the effective working life expectancy for a full day's shift. A dedicated charger is supplied with the machine and should not be compromised in any way in terms of the duration of charge time or the Specified Input Voltage requirement of 110v, since undercharging will result in premature machine shut down.
Dependent upon the requirement for the fitting of the panels, the Client is responsible for provision of the Prime Lifting machine, whether Fork-lift or Telehandler and the insurance for all plant under his control, including the vacuum lift equipment, whilst on hire.
For the lift and placement of panels into position on the walls there will be a requirement for the truck operator at all times and at least two other operators to manoeuvre the panel and secure it. |