Project brief
This concept would examine a screw-driven bench lift intended to position small assemblies during inspection or assembly. The mechanism would be developed around a defined workpiece envelope and a conservative dummy load, with special attention to stability and access around the platform. The study would compare guide layouts, handle placement, screw engagement, and prevention of unintended travel. Hand calculations would establish initial loads before structural modeling, and the CAD assembly would support review of pinch points and setup operations. Proposed deliverables include a mechanism layout, operating-envelope sketch, part drawings, and a controlled prototype evaluation plan. The exercise is an engineering design study rather than a certified lifting product or a claim of load-carrying capacity.
Design concept developed for this portfolio. The diagrams describe the proposed system; implementation and testing are part of the validation plan.
The engineering challenge
Improve workpiece access while controlling platform tilt, operating effort, and unintended movement.
Engineering approach
- Define the workpiece and operator-access envelope.
- Compare guide spacing and screw-support arrangements.
- Estimate screw, guide, and base reactions.
- Prepare a dummy-load prototype evaluation sequence.
Validation plan
- Measure platform tilt through the proposed travel range.
- Compare handwheel effort with the simple load model.
- Check travel limits and retention using controlled dummy loads.
Concept scope
- Guided platform travel
- Accessible handwheel
- Removable workpiece plate
- Travel-limit features
- Stability-focused base layout
Software & engineering tools
FreeCAD, CalculiX, Python, Force gauge