For more than 20 years Delphi Measurement has designed and manufactured a huge variety of tension loadcells for the Australian lifting industry. These simple yet rugged designs make them suitable for the harshest environments, said Mike Leonard, Delphi Measurement’s Managing Director.
Delphi Measurement’s load cells are manufactured from aircraft-grade aluminium, and the ongoing development of the designs has resulted in lightweight load cells with high safety factors, making them suitable for numerous lifting applications.
Tension load cells are used in many industries, where measurement of a pulling force is required. Delphi’s tension cells are available in stainless-steel and aluminium. The stainless-steel cells are available in wired or wireless variants, while the aluminium cells are wireless only. Wired (cabled) versions are predominantly used in permanent installations, like conveyor belt tensioning, mine shaft winders and conveyances, dead end rope load monitoring and many more industrial applications. The wireless variants are typically used in portable applications such as crane testing, load weighing, anchor point verification etc.
The combination of wireless technology and high strength materials make the 103TWK series a lightweight, highly versatile and portable load measuring solution.
“The Delphi 103TWK range of load cells have been very popular for many years, and many of The Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) inspectors own or use, one or more of our load cells. They use them for conducting crane certification, Major Inspections, and other applications like load weighing, pulling anchor point testing etc,” said Mike.
“Delphi Measurement has manufactured a range of wireless aluminium load cells for a very long time and there would be many hundreds, if not thousands, of them being used throughout industry every day, both within Australasia and many other locations around the globe.”
The development of Super Shackles over the past few years by some of the world leaders in shackle manufacture have meant that shackles are now capable of higher ratings for the same size.
The advancement of materials, and manufacturing methods, has given rise to smaller, stronger shackles, for example a 30 tonne super shackle is the same size as a 17t safety shackle. This advancement opens an opportunity for tension cells to do the same, i.e. to make smaller, stronger loadcells. Delphi Measurement has seized this opportunity and developed a range of tension cells, specifically for Super Shackles.
“We’ve engineered a new series of products and called the range the 104TWK to differentiate it from the existing 103TWK loadcell kits. To my knowledge, there is nobody else in the world doing this right now,” said Mike.
Super Shackles are available in various sizes and Delphi Measurement has focused on five sizes; 5 tonne, 9.5 tonne, 15 tonne, 21 tonne and 30-tonne. They’ve designed a ‘kit’ which comprises the load cell, the mating shackles, handset and charger, all in one case. With everything in the one case, there is no need to have shackles elsewhere, so when you get to site everything is with you to get started.
According to Mike, the 104TWK is aimed at the end user, providing them with the benefit of a complete lightweight kit.
“Kilogram per tonne of carrying capacity, these will be the lightest kits in the world, certainly others will follow, but Australian ingenuity got there first,” he said. “With the end user in mind, and knowing they are spread over a huge geographical range in Australia, we have entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with the Global Lifting Group for the 104TWK series. They are selling lifting and rigging gear to a very large base of end users, and have a solid understanding of the various industry sectors that are relevant to this product range. It made total sense for us to partner with them.”
Mark Heath, General Manager of All-Rig Lifting and Engineering Supplies, and Chairman of The Global Lifting Group, is pleased to ‘partner’ with Delphi Measurement for the 104TWK Series Super Shackle tension load cells.
“This is a new concept in tension cells making them lighter, more manageable and featuring super shackles specifications,” Mark said. “The Global Lifting Group members look forward to supplying the market with this industry-first tension cell design, and are proud to be recognised as the Australian agents for this unique product, designed and manufactured by the team at Delphi Measurement.”
Mike explains how the combination of the 103TWK and 104TWK provides a broad spectrum of load cells to choose from.
“Between the 103TWK Safety Shackle load cells, and the 104TWK Super Shackle load cell kits available that start at five tonne and go up to 250 tonne, we have also made 103TWK Series cells up to 300 tonne. The most common capacities range from five to 120 tonnes.
“For under the hook applications we have typically provided the wireless aluminium 103TWK Series. While this range is among the lightest in the world, the 104TWK Super Shackle cells will be lighter again, lighter than any load cell on the market per capacity. Another advantage of the 104TW series is the reduced overall length, meaning that they take up less headroom.
“Delphi has been manufacturing load cells for 40 plus years. We only use European and United States aluminium and steel. We use world-class electronics from the United Kingdom and we’ve been partnered with Mantracourt Electronics for over 15 years.
“Delphi Measurement has the capability to provide quality products, service and repairs, without the need to send products overseas. We offer open calibration, enabling any calibration facility to calibrate our load cells. Other manufacturers may have locked calibration software, limiting end users to specific service providers. We pride ourselves on responding timeously and professionally to our customers’ requirements providing complete custom load measuring solutions.”
Mike said the new ‘partnership’ with the Global Lifting Group will benefit both parties, but more importantly it will increase the collective ability to provide existing and future customers with a range of high-quality products, including the 103TWK and 104TWK load cells, to manage their lifting requirements well into the future.
For further information on Delphi Measurement’s 104TWK Super Shackle cells contact The Global Lifting Group 1300 454 768.
