Plasteroard/drywall Lift Help

[carla118]

Hi everyone

For my college project I am designing a hydraulic telescopic cylinder type plasterboard lift and need help in finding the correct methods/formulas to use in order to design the safe dimensions for the wheel base, the plasterboard platform itself and to determine the weight capacity etc, etc. So if anyone can help i have included more information below:

The Plasterboard lift is a device that enables the easy positioning of plasterboards on to the ceiling joists of buildings, thus enable a single person too easily and permanently tack it into position. The plasterboard lift simply acts as a platform. Once the plasterboard has been placed on the platform, it can be roughly manoeuvred into position and jacked up to the required height.

The plasterboard lift will be required to support plasterboard/wallboard sheet of dimensions 2400 x 1200 x 12.5mm and with a weight of I believe to be 24.71kg. The plasterboard lift will consist of three or four castor type wheels, which will support a telescopic, foot operated hydraulic ram/cylinder. At the top of the ram/cylinder there is required to be rectangular frame, which will be the platform to which the plasterboard will rest. At its lowest level the maximum height should be no more than three feet and is required to be able to reach heights of up 10 feet minimum.

Any help will be very much appreciated.

Carla

 

[russ_watters]

Please don't cross-post.

 

[ravenprp]

Hi Carla,

It sounds like you have a very interesting project on your hands! Designing a plasterboard lift can definitely be a challenge, but with the right methods and formulas, you can create a safe and efficient lift.

Firstly, you will need to determine the weight capacity of your lift. This will depend on the weight of the plasterboard sheets you will be using, as well as the maximum height the lift will need to reach. You mentioned that the plasterboard sheets are 2400 x 1200 x 12.5mm and weigh approximately 24.71kg. You will need to calculate the weight distribution of the sheets and make sure that your lift can safely support that weight.

Next, you will need to determine the dimensions for the wheel base and the platform. The wheel base will need to be wide enough to provide stability and support for the lift, but not too wide that it becomes difficult to maneuver. The platform should be designed to securely hold the plasterboard sheets and evenly distribute the weight. You can use formulas such as the moment of inertia and center of gravity to help you determine the appropriate dimensions for these components.

In terms of the hydraulic cylinder, you will need to calculate the force required to lift the plasterboard sheets to the desired height. This will depend on the weight of the sheets and the angle of the hydraulic ram. You can use the equation F = P x A (force equals pressure times area) to calculate the necessary force.

It may also be helpful to consult with a professional engineer or seek guidance from textbooks or online resources for more specific formulas and methods. Overall, it will be important to thoroughly test and analyze your design to ensure its safety and functionality.

Best of luck with your project!