Lifting and handling of large components

When you need custom equipment

A large or heavy component has to be lifted, tilted or positioned safely, often in an operation repeated in production, maintenance or testing. When off-the-shelf equipment does not fit the shape, weight or lifting points of the component, you need equipment designed to measure and certified.

Companies also bring us in when an operation is still manual, takes time and exposes the operator to risks, and they want to make it safer, faster and repeatable.

What we design

• Lifting equipmentSpreader beams and equipment for positioning large components, including with adjustable inclination.
• Tilting rigsEquipment to safely tilt heavy and bulky components, including for mounting on machine tools.
• Support and transport structuresSupports and structures for lifting and transporting mechanical assemblies.
• Test and maintenance structures and standsWalkable steel structures, checked to EN 1090, the Eurocodes and EN ISO 14122-3.
• Assembly equipmentHydraulically operated equipment that makes component assembly safer and repeatable.
• Checks of existing equipmentSurvey, reverse engineering, structural analysis and CE marking documentation.

Some examples

• Large naval sectionsEquipment for gripping, demoulding, lifting and tilting different types of naval sections, validated through field trials.
• Modular spreader beam for naval gearboxesA single piece of equipment adjustable to several configurations to lift different gearboxes in tight operating spaces, with FEM structural checks.
• Support and lifting of oscillating massesFor defence: a system to support, restrain and lift the component safely, with FEM analysis, manufacturing and CE certification.
• Stands for naval systemsStructural verification and certification of steel stands for the assembly and maintenance of naval systems, designed by the client.

Sectors

• Naval: equipment for lifting, demoulding and tilting GRP hull sections weighing tens of tonnes, and structures and stands for testing and maintenance.
• Defence: lifting and tilting equipment for large components and support structures for transporting mechanical assemblies. To handle defence materiel, vehicles and components on board ships, see our naval and defence handling systems.
• Rail: custom lifting systems for workshops and depots and hydraulic equipment for assembling mechanical components.
• Oil & Gas: systems for safely tilting heavy and bulky components.
• Automotive and industry: special equipment for lifting components in production departments.

Naval Defence Rail and transport Oil & Gas Automotive

Calculation, checks and certification

We size the equipment with FEM analysis and hand calculations, to EN 13155 for lifting equipment and EN 1090 and the Eurocodes for structures; for walkable structures and stands we also apply EN ISO 14122-3. The calculation report goes into the technical file for CE marking.

We also check equipment already in use: where needed we survey it and rebuild it through reverse engineering, then carry out the analysis and prepare the documentation.

From design to installation

We follow the whole supply: design, structural analysis, documentation and certification, manufacturing, acceptance testing and installation at the client’s site. If you already have a design, we can take care of the checks and certification only.

How we work

1. RequirementsWe gather weights, dimensions, lifting points and applicable standards.
2. Preliminary designWe define the equipment concept and how the load is lifted or tilted.
3. Analysis and detailStructural analysis and detailed design.
4. DocumentationCalculation report, manufacturing drawings and technical file.
5. CertificationEquipment certification and CE marking.
6. Supply and installationManufacturing, acceptance testing and support during installation at the client’s site.

Quality

We are certified to UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 for the design of machines and mechanical components and for technical services for the mechanical sector.