Electric Scissor Lift Motors Powering the Intelligent and Green Evolution of Aerial Work Platforms

Urban construction and the expanding demand for warehousing logistics have forced an increasing number of users to use aerial work platforms (AWPs). Electric scissor lift designs are rapidly becoming the preferred choice among customers because they perform reliably, have the ability to adapt to a variety of working environments, and offer very low emissions. The primary reason for the growth of this segment can be attributed to continual technology advancements within the electric motor industry offering both improved efficiency and sustainability of overall weight, size and performance.

Most electric scissor lift platforms use two styles of motors, traction and hydraulic pump, to power the platform; traction motors are designed to give adequate driving power and provide high starting torque, fast smooth acceleration and be highly efficient. Hydraulic pump motors create the power needed to raise and lower the platform. In addition to providing a stable platform, hydraulic pump motors need to provide a controlled means of lifting and lowering the user to the correct work height with very precise control of elevator motion. As a result of the combination of the two types of motors, the motor reliability, power density, thermal management and system functionality are higher than with any other type of lift equipment in the industry.

Recently, the use of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM) as well as high-efficiency DC motors has increased significantly among scissor lift manufacturers. PMSM and DC motors both significantly improve energy efficiency as well as increase battery run times, which reduces user operating costs. The use of intelligent control technologies has resulted in the ability to control the speed and direction of the platform precisely, provides for energy recovery via regenerative braking, while also allowing remote monitoring of lifts and providing for increased safety and automation of AWP.

It is projected that, as the regulations governing the use of AWPs increase and regulations promoting the use of eco-friendly products, the growth of electric scissor lifts will also continue to increase. The continued development of new and emerging technologies such as an advanced level of performance from electric motors, is essential for enabling lighter, smarter and greener equipment. The future direction of electric motor manufacturers will further support developing lighter, smaller and smarter scissor lifts. In addition to advanced performance materials, electric motor manufacturers will focus on developing optimized motor control algorithms and industry-leading integrated systems for the continued sustainable development of the electric scissor lift industry.