DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF HYDRAULIC

SCISSOR LIFT

AVI PRAN VERMA: 2017UMP3580

KARTIK BLAHATIA: 2017UMP3595
ANURAG PRIYADARSHI: 2017UMP3596
TUSHAR KASHYAP: 2017UMP3599
 CERTIFICATE
We hereby declare that the work of the group, entitled “Design and Analysis of Hydraulic
Scissor Lift” carried out at Netaji Subhas University of Technology is a veritable record of our
own work. Submitted towards partial requirement fulfilment for seventh semester of
Bachelor of Engineering degree in Manufacturing Processes and Automation Engineering in
NSUT, New Delhi under the guidance of Mr. Sanjay Gupta, MPAE Department at Netaji
Subhas University of Technology during the period August-December, 2020.

Avi Pran Verma Kartik Blahatia Anurag Priyadarshi Tushar Kashyap

(2017UMP3580) (2017UMP3595) (2017UMP3596) (2017UMP3599)

Date: 1st January, 2020.

This is to certify that the above assertion made by the concerned students is right to the
best of my understanding and belief.

Mr. Sanjay Gupta

Assistant Professor
Department of MPAE,
NSUT, New Delhi-110078.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We feel privileged to express our genuine thanks and deepest sense of gratitude to our
supervisor Mr. Sanjay Gupta for his inspiring guidance, valuable suggestions and kind
cooperation at every stage throughout the project, in the absence of which our project would
have remained incomplete. His method of dealing with problems and daily encouragement
consists of constant source of inspiration.

We are highly indebted to all the people for acknowledging our hunger for knowledge and for
providing us with resources and facilities available in the department to quench it. They have
been a guiding light for all of us throughout the period of my training.

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 ABSTRACT
This project describes the concept of a hydraulic scissor lift as well as its analysis. For lifting a
body to an appreciable height to operate on it, scissor lifts are used. The platform category
that essentially moves vertically is a scissor lift. The use of the connect, the hydraulic fluid that
flows into the cylinder, achieves this mechanism. The vertical movement is accomplished by
pressure outside the lowest support package, allowing the crossing pattern to elongate and
vertically raise the work platform. This project describes the in-depth study of major
components (hydraulic cylinder, scissor arms and foundation and base), material selection
and the analysis of component measurements with their engineering sketches, followed by
static stress analysis using Autodesk Fusion 360, Autodesk Inventor and Solidworks software,
and finally the determination of the resulting lift height and additional lift range.

Keywords: Hydraulic Scissor, Autodesk Fusion 360, Scissor lift, Hydraulic circuit, Autodesk
Inventor, Solidworks.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CERTIFICATE………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…..i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT…………………………………………………….………………………….…………………….ii
ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………..………iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS…………………………………………………………………………………….………….…..…iv
NOMENCLATURE AND ABBREVIATIONS……………………………………………………………………………v
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………………….……….1
1.1 HYDRAULIC SCISSOR LIFT……………………………………………………………………………………….….1
1.2 TYPES OF SCISSOR LIFT……………………………………………………………………………………………...2
1.3 IMPORTANCE/SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT………………………………………………………….3
1.4 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT…………………………………………………………………………………………….3

CHAPTER 2………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4
2.1 REVIEW OF LITERATURE………………………………………………………………………………………………….4
2.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT……………………………………………………………………………………………………5
CHAPTER 3………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..6
3.1 SOFTWARES USED…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..6
3.2 METHODOLOGY………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7
3.3 DESIGN DRAWINGS……………………………………………………………………………………………………….10
3.4 RENDERS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….18
3.5 ISSUES FACED IN INITIAL DESIGN…………………………………………………………………………………..23
3.6 RECTIFICATION IN DESIGN AND MATERIAL……………………………………………………….…………..24
3.7 STATIC STRESS ANALYSIS…………………………………………………………………………………….…………25
3.8 GAPS OR SCOPE OF IMPROVEMENT IN EXISTING DESIGN……………………………………..………29
3.9 GANTT CHART………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……..30
3.10 CALCULATIONS…………………………………………………………………………………………………..……….31
3.11 BILL OF MATERIAL…………………………………………………………………………………….…………………39
CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………….…………………40
REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………..41

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NOMENCLATURE AND ABBREVIATIONS

NOMENCLATURE
θ- Angle in degree
σ- Stress
π- 22/7 or 3.14

ABBREVIATIONS
mm- Millimetre
Kg- Kilogram
N-Newton
MPa- Mega Pascal
Syt- Ultimate Yield Stress
F.O.S -Factor of Safety
D- Diameter of Hydraulic Cylinder
m- Meter
GPa- GigaPascal

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 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
HYDRAULIC SCISSOR LIFT
It is a type of platform that can travel up or down vertically in the direction of y. The primary
objective of the hydraulic scissor lift is to handle materials and provide the user with safety
and comfort. In order to raise or lower the object, hydraulic lift utilizes hydraulic fluid pumped
into the cylinder by applying comparatively less force compared to the actual weight of the
object. This is integrated to achieve this objective of criss-cross pattern-based supports that
are known as pantographs. The safety factor and all precautions are taken when this lift is
manufactured, planned and measured. It consists of rollers that mobilise the scissor lift. It is
prevalent in domestic and industrial applications. The upward movement is effectively gained
by the extra pressure acting on smaller sets of supports that extend the cross pattern of the
Criss and cause the platform to uplift.

First part is relied upon to provide a general concept of the subject and after that the practical
part proceeds which presents and explains how to perform. It comprises of a 3D model of
the lift, calculations of the load applied, multiple diagrams, charts, and stress calculations,
which will confirm the viability and authenticity of the theory part.

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The scissors elevator is an elevated platform incorporated in a machine with a system of levers
and hydraulic cylinders upon which the metal platform is moved in the vertical direction. This
is accomplished by scissor arms in which hydraulic fluid is pumped into crisscross pattern and
hence the resultant movement.

We chose The Hydraulic Scissor as the topic of this project because it is a supreme example
of mechanical engineering field. This particular mechanism combines a result of several
important fields of engineering and at particular same time, it is extremely simple and
accessible for understanding. Awareness of hydraulic systems and automation involved in the
system includes the construction portion and the load distribution display statics and
dynamics of solid subjects, the hydraulic cylinder, and the control unit. Material science is
important for selection of a suitable material as well as knowledge of 3D modelling.

Also, scissors lift is essentially an integral part of most of the workshops and constructing
objects. The primary advantage of lifts is that they would even offer the best possible way to
organise a technological process. Besides, most of the lifts provide the possibility to change
the place of their installation without any effort, which is important in a necessary condition
in the production processes these days.

The necessity for the utilization of elevators is vivid and it works across workshops, factories,
labs, repairing of billboards, residential/commercial buildings to mend street lights, etc.

TYPES OF SCISSOR LIFT

Classification on the basis of the type of used energy:
1. Hydraulic Lift:
2. Pneumatic Lift
3. Mechanical Lift [4]

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IMPORTANCE/SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT
This project will be an important engineering tool used in plants for maintenance purposes
which can lift a load safely to a desired height. Thus, making it a revolutionary progress in
safety department where this would drastically improve the working conditions for human
forces involved.

SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

The hydraulic scissor lift is equipped with the engineering materials which are able to lift up
to a height of 2.178 m and a carrying capacity of up to 3750 kg. However, the capacity can
also increase by varying choice of materials or changing dimensions.

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 CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
In the design and study, Gaffar G Momin, et al played a significant role. Scissor lifts are used
to lift a body to a considerable height to operate on it, and maybe for purposes of repair and
material handling. Mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic types may be very good for the lift.
The lift design mentioned in the report is designed in such a way that the lift is hydraulically
controlled by using a pantograph to minimize its expenses to some degree. We wanted the
lift to be compact and to operate without using a lot of energy, hence it was decided to power
the hydraulic cylinder with a hydraulic pump. This makes the lift more lightweight and much
more appropriate for any work on a scale. Finally, in Autodesk Inventor, the scissor lift analysis
was performed and all responsible parameters were also evaluated to verify the lift design
[1].

M. Kiran Kumar, et al, concluded that when it is extended and contracted, force also acts on
the hydraulic scissor lift. For lifting, a hydraulic scissor lift is used and even for maintaining
heavyweight components. In the design of a machine, material selection plays a very
important role and also affects many factors, such as durability, precision, endurance, which
ultimately helps to boost the life of the scissor lift. The hydraulic lift architecture must be
portable, compact and more fitting for applications with medium load handling. Autodesk
Fusion 360, Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks software with sufficient modelling are used
for the configuration and drawing of the scissor lift hydraulic system and are imported into
Ansys workbench software for meshing and lift analysis. Complete deformation load is
therefore included in the analysis of this scissor lift, and equivalent stresses were carried out
in the Autodesk Inventor program and all other responsible lift parameters were evaluated to
verify the design attribute compatibility. For best performance, it also contrasts the
computational values of two different materials, such as aluminium and mild steel. [2].

Sandeep G. Thorat, et al, discovered that a high load resistance hydraulic scissor lift was
planned. The scissor lift is easy to use and there is no need for regular maintenance. For the

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development of scissor lift, mild steel is chosen because it has higher durability, strength,
simple and inexpensive accessibility. It can lift a load up to 37500 N and up to the height of
7ft for the specified dimensions of the scissor lift. The lift offers plenty of space for further
changes and operational effectiveness to be updated. [3].

PROBLEM STATEMENT
Many businesses need to work high in the air and, with the safety of labor in mind, lift heavy
loads and work high in the air.

These lifts can handle any application that would involve a ladder or any kind of platform for
lifting. Scissor lifts make it easier and simpler for operators to do the same jobs without the
time to set up equipment, such as scaffolding or a tower, and make it reasonably safer. When
you operate at any height, the risk of a fall can never be fully eradicated, but scissor lifts have
a safety belt and a sturdy railing platform. The work platform offers a stable base and
protection for all forms of work that are conducted at such altitudes.

Examples of such industries include manufacturing, logistics, shipping, railway, aviation, etc.

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 CHAPTER 3
SOFTWARES USED
1. AUTODESK FUSION 360
This 3D CAD has been reinvented to become the next gen product innovation platfor
m using a collaborative product creation CAD/CAM/CAE tool. Fusion provides resour
ces inside one CAD kit to help the entire Design to Manufacture process.

Geometry Solid, Surface, T-Spline and Mesh are provided. Design validation,
documentation and prototyping are available for drawing, rendering and 3D-Printed
production. [6]

2. AUTODESK INVENTOR
This is critical for 3D modelling of designs. For 3D mechanical modelling, it is used for
communication design, tool formation and simulation of products. In order to help
design, imagine and simulate products before they are designed, this program allows
users to create and simulate detailed 3D product models. With the option given to
users to vary the inputs be it the dimension, force, pressure and many other basic
inputs and gives us a Static Stress Analysis for the amount of load applied to the object.
Determining how this will work in real world. [7]

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 3. DASSAULT SOLIDWORKS
SolidWorks is a solid modeler using an approach that focuses on parametric features.
Parameters refer to constraints whose values determine the shape or geometry of the
model or assembly. Physical variables are associated with each other by the virtue of
mates. [8]

METHODOLOGY

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1.NEEDS FOR DESIGN
Scissor lifts are designed to carry heavy load to certain height with the aspect of safety
associated with it. It is relatively simple to use and requires less maintenance. The only issue
with this is starting cost which is quite high.

2.DESIGN DEFINITION AND REQUIRMENTS

Design specifications are the functional characteristics that have made it possible for our team
to turn concepts into design features. Physiological knowledge required to begin designing
the behavior (design requirements) must be performed by the system from the design
requirement statement.

3.COLLECTING RELEVENT DESIGN DATA

This was the first step while moving towards the designing and modelling phase of Hydraulic
Scissor Lift. What dimensions are going to be suitable for our desired requirements.

4.DESIGN MODELLING AND SIMULATION

Modelling and simulation include mathematical and physical representation of all the
components used in final assembly of hydraulic Scissor Lift.

5.DESIGN ANALYSIS
This included a decision-making process in which fundamentals of basic sciences, strength of
material, mathematics and static stress analysis of Autodesk Inventor were used for final
analysis.

6.DESIGN OPTIMIZATION
Design optimization is a methodology in which we used mathematical formulation and
calculations for the design requirements and solving design problems and finally deriving
optimal design.

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7.DESIGN EVALUATION
Unbiased opinion of our design and evaluation of its structure upon application of different
loads and the standards of effectiveness.

8.DESIGN DOCUMENTATION
In Design documentation we collected all the documents and resources that has covered all
aspects of our design of scissor lift. This documentation includes information about our
project and the product features, analysis of application of loads and Final calculations for
design.

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DESIGN DRAWINGS

Top Frame
This is the top where the lifted product lies on the lift table. It can be offered in a number of
sizes.

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 Roller
The variable that restricts only the desired motion to relative motion and removes friction
between moving objects is this factor.

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 Outer Diagonal Frame
These are the vertical members that make it possible to adjust the height of the platform.

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 Main Diagonal Frame
This is the vertical members that lies outside of the outside diagonal frame which cause the
height of the platform to shift.

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 Lift Base
This is the bottom of the floor resting system. It requires the track on which the scissor legs
travel.

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 Cylinder Rod
This is the portion inside the hydraulic cylinder that manoeuvres.

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 Cylinder Body
This is the component where the cylindrical rod manoeuvres.

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ASSEMBLY DRAWING

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RENDERS

Top Frame

Roller

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Outer Diagonal Frame

Main Diagonal Frame

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 Base

Hydraulic Cylinder Rod

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Hydraulic Cylinder Body

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Renders of Full Assembly

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ISSUES FACED IN INITIAL DESIGN
1.The initial design we opted for had a flat base as the top frame which started to deform
with application minutest of the load (roughly around 200N).

2.The use of sliders instead of rollers which could not stand heavy load application and again
started to fail.

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RECTIFICATION IN DESIGN AND MATERIAL
New and improved design of top frame with a frame consisting of multiple hollow rods made
up of Mild Steel that not only increased the strength of the design exponentially but also
played a significant role in making the design lighter as compared to the design with solid
rods.

Rollers finally made it possible for the frame to carry and sustain substantial load applied to
it.

With the final design now capable of withstanding almost 37500N which is a tremendous
increase as compared to that of our last design. The final height that our lift can lift the load
up to is 2.178m(Theoretical) and 2.11m(Experimental).

Substitution of material to Mild Steel played a significant role too in making this design a
success.

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STATIC STRESS ANALYSIS
The Analysis of Design with gradually increasing loads.

1. 10000N

2. 15000N

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3. 20000N

4. 25000N

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5. 30000N

6. 35000N

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7. 37500N

8. 40000N

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GAPS OR SCOPE OF IMPROVEMENT IN EXISTING DESIGN

• In the present hydraulic scissor lift, if the load is quite heavier it can cause deformation in
lift frame and failure at loading points.
• Loading & unloading leads to fatigue failure.
• Existing lift is heavier in weight.
• Cost of present lift is high.

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GANTT CHART

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CALCULATIONS

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35
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[5]

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BILL OF MATERIALS

S.No. Part Material On the basis of Quantity

Selected
1 Lift Base Stainless Strength, Stiffness, 1
Steel Plasticity and Hardness

2 Main Diagonal Stainless Strength, Stiffness, 1

Frame Steel Plasticity and Hardness

3 Outer Diagonal Stainless Strength, Stiffness, 1

Frame Steel Plasticity and Hardness

4 Roller Stainless Strength, Stiffness, 4

Steel Plasticity and Hardness

5 Top Frame Mild Steel Strength, Hardness and 1

Stiffness
6 Hydraulic Cylinder Mild Steel Strength, Hardness and 4
Rod Stiffness

7 Hydraulic Cylinder Mild Steel Strength, Hardness and 4

Body Stiffness

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 CHAPTER 4
CONCLUSION
• The design of the hydraulic cylinder met all of the design requirements required.
• Hydraulic scissor lift can lift heavy loads and is easy to operate.
• The main problem of this lift is its setup cost is quite high, but the lift doesn’t require
much maintenance after setup.

FUTURE SCOPE
• Weight optimization by modifying existing design.
• Cost optimization of present model.
• Increasing lift capabilities

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 REFERENCES
1. “Design, Manufacturing & Analysis of Hydraulic Scissor Lift”, Gaffar G Momin, et al,
International Journal of Engineering Research And General Science Volume 3, Issue
2, Part 2, March-April, 2015, ISSN 2091-2730

2. M. Kiran Kumar, et al,“Design and analysis of hydraulic scissor lift,” International

Research Journal of Engineering and Technology Volume 3, June 2016, ISSN 2395-
0072

3. “Design and construction of hydraulic scissor lift”, Sandeep G. Thorat, et al,

International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology E-ISSN 2277 – 4106,
PISSN 2347 – 5161

4. “A STUDY DESIGN, AND ANALYSIS OF HYDRAULIC SCISSOR LIFT BY USING ANSYS”,

Prushotam, Apsad Ali, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RECENT TECHNOLOGY SCIENCE
& MANAGEMENT, ISSN: 2455-9679

5. “Design, Analysis and Development of Hydraulic Scissor Lift”, Suraj B. Dhanawade,

Shubham S. Bhujbal, Rohan R. Dhane, Prof. Rahul R. Narkar, Prof. Sangram S.
Bhosale, International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development
Volume 4, Issue 3, March -2017

6. “https://www.graitec.co.uk/cad-software/manufacturing/autodesk-fusion-
360/autodesk-fusion-360-review”

7. “https://www.techopedia.com/definition/24055/autodesk-inventor”

8. “https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SolidWorks”

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