Static strength analysis of construction of Mobile lifting platform

Abstract

Manufacturing of railway vehicles require use of many different special support tools which have a role to simplify production process and to increase productivity. Beside, design of these elements requires a special care about worker safety. Subject of this paper is static strength analysis of the mobile lifting platform designed for railway industry. This type of mobile platform is used for worker outside of the wagon body and can provide operation up to 4000 mm. Platform was designed from steel tubes, square and circular cross section joined by welding and moving joints. Hydraulic cylinder, with adequate and controlled initial force, is used for platform lifting and lowering platform. Static strength analysis was done using finite element method by SolidWorks software package. Bearing in mind very complex construction of mobile platform, simplification of numerical model was done. Platform structure was divided in three subassemblies: working platform, folding scissors and lower chassis, and for each of them numerical analyses were performed. In accordance with purchaser requests loads were applied on the working platform, while the reaction force was measured at constraints located on the lower chassis and at the joint between the piston of hydraulic cylinder and scissors structure. Next to primary analysis of the main platform structure, static strength analyses were carried out for fences and stairs. All analyses were accomplished in accordance to valid standards. Obtained results showed that the assemblies of mobile platform, including fences and stairs, are able to withstand load of workers and required equipment without permanent deformation.