Scissor Mechanism for lifting a Pratt & Whitney

Engine
MechAura - 2024

18-Apr-24

© 2024 RTX.
All rights reserved.
INTRODUCTION

• Scissor lifts are essential in lifting components and/or individuals to perform

key assembly, maintenances and overhaul procedures of aero gas turbine
engines.

https://assets.fta.cirium.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/05153146/turbofan-gtf.jpg https://img.aeroexpo.online/images_ar/photo-mg/175183-12320188.webp

All images presented in this presentation are for representation only

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PROBLEM STATEMENT
• As an engineer, utilize your skills to develop a scissor mechanism to lift a gas turbine hardware.

• Inputs will be provided to form a framework (refer next slide), but like all engineering problems, suitable assumptions,
research, justification and evaluation of your design will have to be done by you.

• Expected outcome:
⚬ A design for the lifting mechanism adhering to the requirements in the form of a report, not exceeding 12 slides.
⚬ Embed model sketches, spreadsheets, hand calculation documents, FEA results and/or CAD model images within these slides.
They may be inserted as “objects” in relevant slides.

Mass to be lifted

Develop a design for a scissor

Lifting Height Lifting mechanism design
mechanism to lift a load

Challenge Outcome

All images presented in this presentation are for representation only

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INPUTS AND ASSUMPTIONS
• Assume the total mass of the engine with mounting assembly to be 1000 Kg.
weight
• The mechanism must be safe at two heights, = 2 m and = 3 m from the base of the mechanism.
• Select the appropriate link angles, link length and link cross section for the same. Justify accordingly.
Platform
• Assume the mechanism is perfectly symmetric, i.e., only one-half mechanism about the X-Y plane can be
considered. Link
• Assume the mechanism is only a single stage scissor lift mechanism like the image shown.
• Consider the top mounting plate on which the weight of the engine assembly is applied as perfectly rigid and
Pin at junction h
weightless, the plate’s dimensions are also modifiable based on the link design.
• Consider the base rails also as perfectly rigid and weightless. Your focus is on the mechanism links.
• Assume only planar loading, i.e. no loads applied through the page in the z direction.
θ y
• Assume a powering mechanism for the lift. A selection can be made and proposed based on force requirement
evaluation.
• The final design will still be a concept, advanced kinematics and demonstration of simulations will not be x
necessary.
• Follow the design workflow in the next slide and develop a design of a single stage scissor mechanism.
Base rails

All images presented in this presentation are for representation only

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 WORKFLOW AND WEIGHTAGE

Source: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iXvatLpu-Rg/maxresdefault.jpg
Research on previous designs for reference with clear Concept design development: Develop a concept and
Analysis and justification of final design (FBD, SFD,
references provided. clearly show the link positions at the two heights
BMD, failure modes, etc.) FEA is welcome but no
specified.
extra weightage. FEA without hand calculation
Weightage: 5 CAD is welcome but no extra weightage. No
carries lesser weightage.
plagiarism is entertained.
Weightage: 30
Weightage: 30

Innovations: Additional tool development (excel

Report: Overall clarity of thought, workflow,
calculator/program etc.), optimization proposals,
engineering justification for concept, analysis and Source: https://aboveallcnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/dfm-design-for-manufacturing.jpg
and/or other out of the box thinking! Design for manufacturing: Clear specification and
final design. Adhering to the format of the report
specified, embedding hand calculations, drawings, sketch/CAD of link length and cross section.
Weightage: 10 Perform pin sizing, powering mechanism selection
spreadsheets and models. Reporting within the
specified number of slides. (concept), material selection and manufacturing
Weightage : 5 process selection. Estimate the rough cost and time
for production of the final design.
Weightage: 20

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CAD DESIGNS
Free body diagram of scissor mechanism

R
4

R
R
3
R
1

R O' H
2 W+W+R/2
1
R4
' R3
O
W+W + '
R/2
R1
'
L
B ¥
R2
'
 Design
process
1. Selection of material for upper plate
Magnesium with 20MPa yield strength
Taking FOS = 3
Permissible stress = 20/5= 4 MPa

2. Area required for upper plate

Load to be carried out = 1000 × 10 = 10000 N

Area = Load / Permissible stress

= 10000 N / 4 MPa
= 2500 mm square

3. Reaction forces
R1 = R2 = R3 = R4 = R/4 = 10000/4 = 2500 N
Weight of a link = W
There are four links
So total Load acting on base plate = R+ 4×W
R1'= R2' = R3'=R4'= (10000+4W)/4
4. Magnitude of W
W is weight of each link
Material used for links is stainless steel with yield strength 205 Mpa
Taking FOS = 2
Permissible stress = 205/2= 102.5 Mpa
Area = R1/ PS
= 2500/102.5
= 24.4 mm square
cross sectional area of each link = 24.4

W = Mass × g
Density of stainless steel = 7930 kg/m^3
l = length of each link
Mass = Density × Volume
W= Density × volume × g
W = 7930× 23.4 × 10^(-6)×l × 10
= 1.9× l
5. Dimensions L and B
Consider link 1
Net moment about O is zero
R1×B/2 + (2W+R/2) L - R2'×B/2 = 0 [eqn1]
R1 = 2500 N
R2'= 2500 + W
W = 1.9× l
The angle taken for link with horizontal is 20°
For H= 2m
l = 2/ sin ¥
= 2/ sin 20
= 5.84m
W = 1.9 × 5.84
= 11 kg
Solving equation 1
L = 4mm
B = 760 mm
For H= 3m
¥ = 31°
 R1'= R2'= R3'= R4'= 2511 N

6. Material for base plate

Total Load on base plate = 10000 + 11 ×4
= 10044 N
Area of base plate = 2500 mm square
Permissible stress = 10044÷ 2500
= 40.16 MPa
Taking FOS = 3
Yield strength of material should be = 3 × 40.16
= 120.48 MPa
The appropriate material for this condition is ferrite steel
Whose Yield strength is 130 Mpa