1. The Usage of Steel Structure Chain Manipulator:

1) Usage: Steel Structure Chain Manipulator, the other names are Chain type Overturning Equipment, and Chain type Flipping Equipment, is used for changing position and orientation of steel structure members during operation, so that welding/ painting/ assembling can be performed on these large size and heavy weight working parts in the most reasonable and comfortable way. In other words, getting the best ergonomics condition;
2) The Workpiece Position Change fulfilled with these Chain type Overturning Equipment include Raising up and lower down/ 0°~ 360° Rotation / Transportation of workpieces;
3) Applicable Workpiece: These Steel Structure Chain Manipulator is most applicable for long length structure members. In this respect, it has similar function as Head and Tail Welding Positioner;
4) Unique Feature: The workpieces are supported and manipulated by means of rollers chains. This is where the product name of “Steel Structure Chain Manipulator” come from;
5) Product Family: Another kind of common used equipment for holding and flipping workpiece is Hydraulic Overturning Rack. These Flipping Racks and Steel Structure Chain Manipulator are the two most important and frequently used types of Steel Structure Overturning Equipment;

A set of Wuxi JACK Chain type Overturning Equipment is flipping a piece of bulky column structure: (Fig.1)

 There is another kind of Steel Structure Chain Manipulator: Plate Chain type Conveyor, which is used for sending steel structure members among different work stations: (Fig.2)

2. The Advantage of Steel Structure Chain Manipulator:

3. The Importance of Chain type Overturning Equipment:

Although working as supporting unit in any of the production line and cell, these Chain type Flipping Equipment plays indispensable and important role, mainly on the aspects of:
1) Acquire safe and dependable working site for manipulating steel structure members, especially those large and heavy ones;
2) Realize high automation of production flow, in manageable and controllable way;
3) Attain flexible process layout and design for on-site production, by means of these Steel Structure Chain Manipulator.

1. The Suitable Application Scenario of Chain type Overturning Equipment:

Chain type Overturning Equipment designed by Wuxi JACK for production line in Engineering Machinery Plant: (Fig.3)

Chain type Flipping Equipment Applied in Individual Working Station: (Fig.4)

2. Technical Characteristics of Chain type Overturning Equipment:

1) Steel Structure Chain Manipulator is basically special made and designed case by case:

There is no standard and unique type of Steel Structure Chain Manipulator. In practical application, due to the wide variety of workpiece structures and working environment, the corresponding Chain type Overturning Equipment are usually tailor made;

2) Integrated Motion in a Single Set of Chain type Flipping Equipment:

As we mentioned earlier, for the purpose of getting optimum position for workpieces, one set of Chain type Overturning Equipment may involve several types of motion for manipulating workpiece: Elevation, rotation, sending forward and retreat;

3) Operation of the Chain type Flipping Equipment is usually Remote Control:

Due to the large dimension of workpiece and hence Steel Structure Chain Manipulator, and for the consideration of safe operation, operating is implemented with remote controller: (Fig.4)

the lefthand scrolling photos: How does the workpieces get its position change in Chain type Overturning Equipment  

The elevation and overturning of long and heavy workpieces in Steel Structure Chain Manipulator is realized with the co-work of rocking arm, hoist chain and roller chain:

1. Roller chain comes all the way through rocking arms and hoist chains, and form an enclosed loop in the Chain type Overturning Equipment;
2. During working, under the drive of oil cylinders, these rocking arms swing up and down, conveying workpiece up and down accordingly, to prescribed height level;
3. Meanwhile, roller chains rotate along its enclosed loop, driving workpiece into overturning to target angle.

1. Working Features of the U Frame Steel Structure Chain Manipulator:

1) Usage and Site: This U frame Chain type Overturning Equipment can lift and lower down workpiece, and flip it to any desired angular position at the same time. It is used in flexible arranged working stations;
2) Working Manner: At working sites, two sets of U Frame Steel Structure Chain Manipulator work as a group;
3) Installation: The mechanical U frames are installed into workshop floor with anchor bolts. The distance between these two sets of U frame can be changed based on length range of workpiece;
4) Operation: In this Chain type Overturning Equipment, swing of rocking arms is driven with oil cylinders, and rotation of roller chains are driven with motor reducers.

2. Technical Parameters of U Frame Steel Structure Chain Manipulator:

1.  Working Characteristics of Integral Lifting style Chain type Overturning Equipment:

1)  Usage and Structure: This Chain type Flipping

 Equipment can raise up steel structure to determined

 higher level by means of its scissor lift in the bottom, and

 then overturn the steel structure to expected angle by

 means of chains at the top;

2)  Working Site: This Chain type Overturning Equipment

 is applied in Construction Machinery production line, for

 changing position of structure members during welding;

3)  Drive Way: Its bottom scissor lift is driven with oil

 cylinders. And rotation of top roller chains is driven with

 motor reducer.

2. Technical Parameters of Integral Lifting style Chain type Overturning Equipment:

1. Outline on Working of Table Lifting way Chain type Overturning Equipment:

1) Structure: This Chain type Overturning Equipment is composed of 2 sets of individually installed gantry frame, with lifting working table in each of the gantry frame. The 2 sets of working tables are connected by means of annular chains;
2) Function: During working, both ends of the workpiece is put onto the 2 sets of working table. With the elevation of working table, got its height adjusted to proper operating height. Besides, with rising off roller chains away from working table, this Steel Structure Chain Manipulator can also flip the workpiece to expected angular position;
3) Working Site: This Chain type Flipping Equipment is applicable to be used in individually installed welding station.

2. Technical Parameters of Table Lifting way Chain type Overturning Equipment:

1. Technical Outline on Annular Chain type Flipping Equipment:

1) Usage and Structure: This Annular Chain type Flipping Equipment is used for flipping workpiece in a production line; It has structure of integral fixed box frame structure;
2) Working Site: This Chain type Flipping Equipment is installed right above and encompass conveyor of the production line;
3) Operation: For position change, the workpiece is lifted by means of roller chains up into the air, got its angular position changed by means of annular chain rotation, and descended down to conveyor again;
4) Drive Way: In this annular Chain type Flipping Equipment, the workpiece rising, falling, and overturning are driven with overhead 4 sets of chain hoists.

2. Technical Parameters of Annular Chain type Flipping Equipment:

1. Working Features of Plate Chain type Conveyor:

1) Usage and Working Site: This Plate Chain type Conveyor is used for transporting steel structures among working stations of production line. It has similar function as Steel Conveyor;
2) Structure and Working Steps: There are hydraulic oil cylinders installed at both ends of the Plate Chain type Conveyor. When it is necessary to transport workpiece among working stations, the oil cylinders act, propping up workpiece to higher level, and sending workpiece forward with rotation of its annular chains. Then, oil cylinders work again, and the Plate Chain type Conveyor lowers the workpiece to the original height level, to send it the target station;
3) Drive Way: In this Plate Chain type Conveyor, rotation of annular chain is driven with motor reducer; And elevation of workpiece is made with oil cylinders.

2. Technical Parameters of Plate Chain type Conveyor: