What is the installation space requirement for industrial lifting column- Ningbo Alpha Automation Co., Ltd.

As the core actuator in modern intelligent manufacturing, automated assembly, medical equipment, ergonomic workstations and other scenarios, the Industrial Lifting Column has a compact structure, adjustable stroke and strong load adaptability. In order to ensure its efficient operation and the rationality of system integration, the evaluation and design of the installation space have become a key link in the equipment engineering layout. The reasonable planning of the installation space not only affects the operating stability and operational safety of the equipment, but also affects the performance output and maintenance convenience of the whole machine.

Three key dimensions of installation space
1. Vertical stroke space
Vertical space refers to the minimum space height required for the lifting column in the fully extended state. The telescopic stroke of the lifting column is determined by its number of sections and structural form, usually designed with 2, 3 or 4 sections. During installation, it should be ensured that the top does not interfere with other structures at maximum extension.
Typical 2-section lifting column: the total height is the minimum height + stroke length, and the stroke is generally 300mm~700mm.
3-section or multi-section telescopic column: has a higher compression ratio, which can achieve a longer stroke and occupy a shorter initial height.
For example, if a 3-section column has a minimum height of 550mm and a maximum extension of 1300mm, the surrounding vertical space must be at least 1300mm, and a buffer area of ≥50mm must be reserved at the top.
2. Base footprint
The base installation size determines the area occupied by the lifting column on the installation plane. Common industrial lifting columns use rectangular or circular mounting flange bases, and some products can use embedded designs to save space. Depending on the load level and guide rail structure, the base size varies greatly:
Medium-duty lifting column base size: approximately 120mm × 120mm or φ150mm;
Heavy-duty lifting column: The base diameter can reach 200mm or more, and the bolt spacing is usually 80mm~160mm.
During installation, ensure that there is a solid platform or structural member under the base, and ensure that the fastening bolts are evenly stressed. If a slide rail or mobile platform is used, at least 15% redundant space must be added to avoid lateral interference.
3. Lateral movement and lateral clearance
Although the lifting column is designed to lift vertically, it is inevitable that there will be slight deflection or lateral displacement during operation. In order to prevent collision with adjacent components during lifting, a certain lateral safety gap should be reserved on the outer periphery of its shell:
Recommended lateral reserve value: 10mm~25mm;
Under high-speed lifting or high-load conditions: it is recommended to increase to more than 30mm.
For applications requiring high-precision positioning, such as medical equipment or automated welding platforms, it is recommended to use a guide auxiliary mechanism and increase the lateral gap redundancy.

Space adaptability under different installation methods
Embedded installation
Some industrial equipment adopts an embedded installation method, embedding the bottom of the lifting column into the workbench structure or control cabinet, leaving only the lifting part running outside. This method can save overall height, but cable channels and maintenance windows need to be reserved during the design stage.
Advantages: small footprint and beautiful structure;
Requirements: The base structure must have sufficient bearing capacity and the wiring path must be reasonably arranged.
Surface installation
The most common installation form is to fix directly on the surface of the platform or chassis with bolts. Suitable for modular equipment such as workstation lifting and display lifting.
Advantages: easy installation and flexible replacement in the later stage;
Requirements: Installation holes and cable wiring channels need to be reserved on the equipment frame.
Inverted or suspended installation
Used for some special applications, such as overhead lifting platforms or instrument lifting equipment. In this case, the lifting column is fixed to the top structure and drives the load downward.
Space planning should pay attention to the load-bearing capacity of the top structure;
The required top fixing space is usually larger than the bottom installation.