Plate lifting clamps lift and move plates and/or fabrications from one spot to another. The plates are generally composed of some form of steel; the lifters of alloy steel and other forged alloy components to ensure they are strong enough to handle the load. The directions the clamps can move the plates are one of two – horizontal or vertical. This depends upon the specific type of plate.
Vertical Lifting Clamps
When lifting and transferring plates, sheet or fabrications vertically, this is the type of plate lifting clamp an operator will choose for the job. It can also move and turn from horizontal to vertical and down again to horizontal if required to do so. The different types of vertical plate lifting clamps include:
Standard clamp: For those materials that possess a surface hardness of up to 37Rc (345 HB)
Larger jaw opening: For use with stainless steel material and those having a surface hardness of a maximum of 47Rc (450 HB)
Vertical clamps may also be non-marring. As the name indicates, these will not scratch the surface material of the items they carry. Operators use them to carry such materials as:
- Aircraft skins
- Aluminum
- Composite material
- Glass
- Painted materials
- Plastic
- Stainless steel
- Vertical clamps allow you to lift all these items straight up with ease.
- Horizontal Lifting Clamps
Horizontal lifting clamps may or may not have spring-loaded tension. While the former makes it easier for them to do so, a lack of this does not prevent them from transferring both sagging and non-sagging material horizontally. As in the case of vertical lifting clamps, you can purchase non-marring types.
Plate Lifting Clamps
Plate lifting clamps are helpful when it is essential to move material. The type you select will depend on the direction you need to transport the goods. With both horizontal and vertical options available, it becomes an easy matter to make a decision. Some shops will elect to install both.