Useful Ramp System

[SmbFD3S]

I assume thats what you would do although how would that work being only 2m in length and the FD wheelbase being 2426 mm ??
 
And yeah nice rendering What do you use ? i use Lightscape and AutoCAD although not that familiar as yet with it lol...

[shaunwil]

oops, didn\'t get the tape measure out :Giggle 3m it is then. Will do the mods and continue to draw it up. Yes would be a drive on with ramps, jack up and use the white bits as stops.

Just a quicky drawing to get feedback :Giggle

Shaun

[logicalChimp]

If you\'re taking feedback, a couple of suggestions, from a safety viewpoint:

*) some sort of lip at the end, to help stop people driving off the front (yeah, numpties shouldn\'t be using them, but if it doesn\'t cost much, why not)

*) a notch or similar to show where the white bits should go, and to stop them moving if they accidentally get knocked... (would hate to think what would happen if they moved while someone was under the car)

*) similar to the above, a couple of links between runners to keep the two planks the correct distance apart (stop them shifting under load)...

*) a groove to allow a secondary ramp to hook in, to help get v.low cars up onto the ramp (without firing the secondary ramp out the garage when the back wheels get on)

also, how does the trolley jack get under them in order to lift them, and how do you ensure that both planks are lifted in parallel (or doesn\'t that matter)?

Other than that, they look pretty good - i\'d be havin a set, if I had anywhere to use/store them!

[Archbish]

or this.... *grin*

[SmbFD3S]

or this.... *grin*

Lol i looked at exactly the same thing, but the problem is i dont have 3 phase as most wont and single phase to 3 phase transformers are about a grand.... Chances are the electrics in a domestic house would need to be upgraded to the garage so further adding costs...

[shaunwil]

Not really sure if this is a goer anyway. Added some more detail as requested. I still need to add tie in starter ramps, a platform for the lifts and make sure everything is reasonably strong to do the job. Biggest worry that this will all weigh 250kg which isn\'t really workable. The one your looking at is much smaller and would still be very heavy to be strong enough to cope with the weight of a car.

The thought on on way you jack it up wouldn\'t be to bad. Just manufacture a handle that pumps both at the same time. An adjustable U shaped bar.

New image of concept design attached, still rough.

Shaun

[shaunwil]

Weight Quoted is in Steel, main platform 3mm thick with a 40x40x6 frame structure.

Aluminum can be a headache to cut, get the wrong grade and you can\'t laser it and it sticks to punches. Plus its more expensive than steel. Plus can crack when folded. Not a fan if steel is available.

Shaun

[SmbFD3S]

Deleted as my post was nonsense lol....
 
So each ramp will be 125kg... Thats heavy, surely if there\'s 40x40x6 frame angle iron then the ramp surface could be ali chequer plate ?? as it wont be really load bearing ??

[shaunwil]

The other thought was just to do the whole lot in 3mm steel without the frame. Would remove about 20kg per ramp.

The tie bars would just alow you to allign the ramps. 3m is a long thing to handle and store.
Will carry on tinkering with the model tommorrow. Spend 8hrs a day on this software as it is :Giggle

Shaun

[kev-yorks]

I\'m going to take the unusual step of pasting a copy of a email team has just received from the company selling these ramps. It seems there could be a group buy in the offing if someone wants to organise it.
Regards Kevin
 
 

Hi,
 
We have been watching with interest regarding the thread on you forum titled \'Useful Ramp System\' as we manufacture and have full European IP protection on our system.
 
One of your members was looking at purchasing and others decided they may be able to make a similar design themsevles (currently weighing at 120kg per ramp) where ours are less than 20kg.
 
We will be monitoring to ensure no infringement of our IP takes place.
 
Our systems are extreemly keenly priced when you consider the value of materials an manufacturing that goes into the systems.
 
It may well be dangerous for your members to come up with an untested design (ours are fully destructive safety tested).
 
Some people have intimated copying by simply bending alloy treadplate - they do not understand the heat treating and method to bend a high tensile grade aluminuium so as to prevent the bend from fracture and potential injury or fatality.
 
Could you please act on this information on our behalf for health and safety reasons.
 
If your members wish for a group buy of our systems I can offer a one off discount deal.
 
I look forward to hearing your reply.
 
Best regards,
 
Stu Sonley
Director
 
Levo-Artis Ltd

[hairyhoover]

jesus..... is this guy special?

[shaunwil]

I\'d be very interested in how it is just 20kg. What overall dimensions is each ramp ?

I do understand that they may be worried over somebody copying it and being in breach of Patent but do they actually have one ?

I\'m not a fan of aluminum and would probably over engineer it using 3mm mild steel instead. This would be fine for strength as long as the ramp is well engineered.

If they want me not to bother then fine, I haven\'t actually produced anything ! Its more of a bit of fun.

Shaun

[grinder]

now thats impressive !!

[shaunwil]

Not sure if I should reply with this :
Hi,

Can you please email me your patent number so that I can cross reference it. What countries have you applied for it in ?

I\'m sorry if it has infringed a patent. I\'m not drawing any more on this for the time being, unit too gainly.

Also doesn\'t IP only denote Electrical safety and water protection level ? What IP level is it tested to and what testhouse did you use ? Could you email me Certificates of testing ?

What factor of safety have you applied to the ramps and how was it tested ? Was it tested in house by somebody with a Lifting devices safety certificate or by a testhouse ?

Yes I do understand about structural devices and how to design them. I would be inclined in using mild steel over aluminium for structural bodies. I have designed Bulk feed systems that carry over 150tonnes of materials and have manufactured quite a lot of heavy engineering items.

Best Regards

Shaun Wilmer

[logicalChimp]

Hmmm - i think the \'full european IP protection\' wotnot they refer to is actually the Intellectual Property laws - ie if you like the look of it, and produce something that looks similar, and proceed to sell it, they can clobber you with UK and EU laws...

tbh tho - the idea of a couple of plates lifted by a jack isn\'t particularly new - so it would probably come down to whether you had used specific ideas from their system, not the basic idea itself...