Specifications

The specifications for this group were based solely on what the final product had to be able to do.  It was stated in the need statement that the device that the group designs has to be able to lift the product to a convenient working level to be later transported to another location.  Within that, the dimensions and weight of the package must be taken into account, as well as how many packages must be lifted per day, and for how long must they be maintained in that position.  Based on these facts, a list of specifications were created as shown below:

Table 2:  Specifications

Due to the confined space in the Shaw Industries plants, size is a major design consideration. The floors of the plants are lined with winder and extruder machines with very narrow aisles. It is in these aisles where the lifting devices will have to be deployed to lift the yarn spools to a level where they can be placed on carts to be processed downstream in other departments.

Because of the size limitations, the maximum size of the base of the lifter has to be 17 inches by 30 inches. This takes into account the fact the machines are placed a certain distance side by side and directly across form each other along the aisle. The legs on the device will be 23 inches in length. The main body of the lift will be constructed of 304 stainless steel. Aluminum 6061 will be used for the stabilizer beams in between the legs.

Pneumatic cylinders will be used to operate the lift. There is a readily available supply of compressed air for use in pressure between 100 and 200 pounds per square inch. The cylinders that will be used have a bore of 2 inches and a stroke of 10 inches. The maximum pressure that can be exerted on the piston is 150 pounds per square inch, which falls right in the middle of the range that is available for the mechanism.