Technologie
Standard Product Range: Rigid Chain Lifting & Push-Pull Systems
The complete SERAPID catalogue of electromechanical actuators for elevating, pushing and pulling heavy loads — without hydraulics.
Overview
Every SERAPID product is built on a single proprietary principle: Rigid Chain Technology (RCT). The chain is flexible in one direction so it can coil compactly into a magazine, yet locks link-to-link in the other to form a rigid column that behaves like a solid steel push-bar. The result is a clean, quiet, oil-free alternative to hydraulics and cables that lifts, pushes and pulls loads from a few hundred kilos to several hundred tonnes, with practically unlimited stroke.
For specifiers — architects, consultants and civil engineers — this page maps the standard, off-the-shelf range against the movement type and integration challenge you are trying to solve. Each product can be deployed singly or in multiples, and every one can be engineered into a bespoke turnkey system where a catalogue unit alone won’t fit.
System envelope at a glance: SERAPID vertical systems operate over strokes exceeding 50 m and lift loads up to ~300 t; horizontal systems exceed 30 m stroke and transfer loads in excess of 400 t.
Because units combine in multiples, there are virtually no linear-actuation limits.
How to read this range
SERAPID’s standard products divide into three families. Choose by what the load needs to do, then refine by frequency, environment and stroke.
| If you need to… | Look at | Family |
|---|---|---|
| Raise / lower a platform or structure vertically | LinkLift, ChainLift, HDLift, VLB, ChainMast, TeleMast | Vertical lifting |
| Move a load horizontally, or push / pull it in and out | LinearBeam, RollBeam | Horizontal transfer |
| Operate silently, or in non-magnetic / sensitive settings | SilentChain (SCT), RigiBelt | Specialised |
1. Vertical lifting actuators
Rigid Chain actuators that drive a load straight up with full pushing force and telescopic reach, holding static position indefinitely once deployed. Ideal where a lifting platform, structural element or elevator car must move cleanly through a defined stroke.
LinkLift is an electromechanical telescopic actuator for the vertical movement of heavy loads. Its block-shaped, square-section links are engineered so their centre of gravity is always their geometric centre, giving precise, repeatable travel. Crucially, the chain can hold a load under traction as well as compression, so the platform stays firmly anchored even under eccentric or dynamic loads — a decisive advantage on cruise ships or in seismic zones.
- Best for: stage and scenery platforms, orchestra lifts, work platforms, precision elevator and service-lift platforms, architectural elements (walls, roofs, retractable seating), automatic parking.
- Indicative performance: speed 0–300 mm/sec; positioning accurate to the millimetre; quiet operation (~45 dBA at 50 mm/sec).
ChainLift is an electromechanical telescopic actuator designed for vertical movement at medium duty cycles of roughly 5–15 cycles/hour. It is the natural fit for industrial lifting tables and similar repetitive duty.
- Best for: industrial lifting tables (e.g. automotive assembly), lifting platforms, materials handling.
The “Heavy Duty” HDLift is a vertical lifting column built for high-frequency applications above 15 cycles/hour, with a minimum service life of 1 million cycles at maximum load. It is a sealed unit with permanent oil-bath lubrication requiring service only once a year, and tolerates environments that defeat other technologies.
- Best for: demanding industrial duty; clean rooms, dusty areas, extreme temperatures, humidity, radiation and chemically aggressive settings.
- Indicative performance: five standard models, dynamic load up to 50 kN at 2.5 m stroke; optional protective bellows.
VLB is purpose-developed as a robust, low-maintenance, environmentally friendly replacement for hydraulic elevator rams, for new builds or retrofits alike.
- Best for: domestic and public passenger elevators, accessibility / disabled-access lifts, service lifts.
- Compliance: designed to meet the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, the Lift Directive, and EN 81-41 / EN 81-82.
ChainMast extends with a telescoping action to deliver reliable vertical, horizontal or inclined movement, and holds static position indefinitely. Masts combine into dual-, tri- or quad-mast configurations for higher capacity and stability.
- Best for: stage equipment, aerospace tooling and platforms, and other applications needing a self-contained, high-capacity mast.
TeleMast pairs SERAPID actuators with aluminium profiles to form a compact, self-guiding, self-supporting telescopic mast with a small footprint and repeatable positioning.
- Best for: lighter self-contained lifting duties in vertical, horizontal or diagonal orientation.
- Indicative performance: up to 450 kg per lifting column; stroke up to 12 m; speed up to 300 mm/sec. Contactez-nous pour des études spécifiques.
2. Horizontal transfer (push-pull) actuators
Rigid Chain actuators that move loads across a horizontal plane — or push a load out and pull it back — with the chain acting as a solid bar in extension and storing compactly on retraction.
LinearBeam is an electromechanical actuator using a push/pull chain with the magazine built into the beam, making it simple to integrate into machines and civil-engineering structures. It is robust, low-maintenance and self-contained.
- Best for: materials handling, long-stroke horizontal transfer, integration into custom machinery.
- Indicative performance: loads up to ~35,000 lb (~16 t) at speeds to 6.5 ft/sec, with virtually unlimited stroke.
RollBeam is an extremely versatile mechanical actuator for transferring and handling heavy loads. The rigid chain pushes with the strength of a solid bar, then rolls up and stores neatly in a compact magazine; its telescopic action leaves an unobstructed transfer area when no load is being moved.
- Best for: industrial handling, tool-and-die change systems, modular venue / stage wagons.
- Indicative performance: applications up to 50 t with practically unlimited stroke.
3. Specialised actuators
A silent-running chain variant developed for applications where noise must be minimised during operation — notably stage wagon and scenery transfer systems where moves happen live during a performance.
RigiBelt is a purely mechanical push actuator that merges two sub-chains of form-fitting elements (like the teeth of a zip) into a solid drive block, then unwinds and stores them compactly. All materials are non-magnetic — plastic toothed elements and belts, with stainless-steel or anodised-aluminium drive parts.
- Best for: medical technology, warehouse logistics, and other clean, sensitive or magnetically constrained environments.
Gamme standard — quick comparison
| Product | Movement | Indicative capacity | Duty / niche | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LinkLift | Vertical | Heavy loads (multi-tonne) | Versatile flagship; holds under traction | Stage, work platforms, architecture, parking |
| ChainLift | Vertical | Heavy loads | Medium frequency (5–15 cyc/h) | Industrial lifting tables, automotive |
| HDLift | Vertical | Up to ~50 kN @ 2.5 m | High frequency (>15 cyc/h), sealed | Harsh / industrial, clean rooms |
| VLB | Vertical | Elevator-class | Hydraulic-free elevators | Passenger, accessibility & service lifts |
| ChainMast | Vert. / horiz. / incline | High, scalable (multi-mast) | Telescopic mast, holds static | Stage, aerospace |
| TeleMast | Vert. / horiz. / diagonal | Up to ~450 kg/column | Compact self-supporting mast | Light self-contained lifting |
| LinearBeam | Horizontal | Up to ~16 t | Built-in magazine, integrable | Materials handling, machinery |
| RollBeam | Horizontal | Up to ~50 t | Telescopic, clear transfer area | Die change, heavy handling, venues |
| RigiBelt | Horizontal / linear | Light–medium | Non-magnetic, clean | Medical, logistics |
| SCT | Horiz. / vert. | Application-led | Silent operation | Live stage / scenery moves |
All figures indicative and pending verification against current SERAPID spec sheets. Contact us for tailored studies.
From standard products to engineered solutions
Standard units rarely ship alone — they are the building blocks of complete systems. The same actuators recur across SERAPID’s solution sets:
- Lift Systems — passenger lifts, accessibility lifts and automotive/car lifts built on VLB and LinkLift, delivering reliable elevation with ±2 mm positioning regardless of load.
- Quick Die Change (QDX / PPS) — synchronised RollBeams in a push-pull system position dies into and out of presses (indicatively up to ~8 t steel-on-steel, ~16 t on rollers), often with SERAPID hydraulic clamps and die carts, to drive press uptime and lean-manufacturing goals.
- Stage & Entertainment — stage lifts, traplifts, orchestra and scenery platforms, modular seating and Quick Seating Exchange, powered by LinkLift, RollBeam and SilentChain.
- Work platforms, lifting tables & scissor lifts — clean, hydraulic-free platforms for aerospace, automotive and manufacturing.
- Telescopic mast systems — ChainMast / TeleMast configurations for multi-axis duty.
Why Rigid Chain Technology (for the specifier)
No hydraulics
no fluids, no leak risk, no power pack; cleaner and safer on site and over life.
Load only on the ground
force is applied at the platform, not into surrounding walls or ceilings; no spring effect as loads enter or leave.
Compact storage
the chain coils into a small magazine, minimising the structural envelope you must design around.
Precision & repeatability
millimetre-level positioning (±2 mm typical at platform level, regardless of load).
Low maintenance & long life
simple mechanical design, few rotating parts; sealed HDLift variants service annually.
Scalable
combine units in multiples for effectively unlimited load and stroke.
Frequently asked questions
It is SERAPID’s proprietary mechanical principle in which a special chain locks link-to-link to form a rigid column that pushes, pulls and lifts like a solid steel bar, then unlocks and coils into a compact magazine for storage — all without hydraulics.
Match the duty cycle: LinkLift for versatile heavy lifting (including loads held under traction), ChainLift for medium-frequency industrial tables (5–15 cycles/hour), and HDLift for high-frequency or harsh-environment duty (>15 cycles/hour). For elevators specifically, specify the Vertical LinearBeam (VLB).
LinearBeam for self-contained, integrable horizontal transfer up to ~16 t, and RollBeam for heavier transfer and tool-and-die change up to ~50 t. Quick die change is delivered as a push-pull system (PPS / QDX) using synchronised RollBeams.
Yes. Every product is electromechanical, eliminating hydraulic fluids, leak risk and power packs, while offering low maintenance, quiet running and precise positioning.
Yes. Standard units are designed to integrate into custom and turnkey systems, and SERAPID’s engineering team designs bespoke configurations for capacities or strokes outside the catalogue. 3D files for the standard range are available on request.
RigiBelt is fully non-magnetic for medical and sensitive environments; SilentChain Technology (SCT) provides silent operation for live stage and scenery moves.