KEVOS® MAKEOS · Mechanics
Plate Lift Plan (Shape Area, Mass, Centre of Gravity, Two-Point Lift Loads)
For a flat plate of any straight-sided shape lifted from two points, what does it weigh, where is its centre of gravity, and how much load does each lift point take?
Lift plan for a cut plate or flat panel: the area, perimeter and centroid of the outline from its corner coordinates (as the polygon area tool), the mass from thickness and density, and the load on each of two lift points from where the centre of gravity falls along the line joining them, with the sideways offset that makes the plate hang tilted, against the working load limit of each lift point.
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How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of corners | corners | Number of corners of the outline (the first n are used, in order round the shape). |
| Corner 1 | ||
| X | mm | X of corner 1. |
| Y | mm | Y of corner 1. |
| Corner 2 | ||
| X | mm | X of corner 2. |
| Y | mm | Y of corner 2. |
| Corner 3 | ||
| X | mm | X of corner 3. |
| Y | mm | Y of corner 3. |
| Corner 4 | ||
| X | mm | X of corner 4. |
| Y | mm | Y of corner 4. |
| Corner 5 | ||
| X | mm | X of corner 5. |
| Y | mm | Y of corner 5. |
| Corner 6 | ||
| X | mm | X of corner 6. |
| Y | mm | Y of corner 6. |
| Corner 7 | ||
| X | mm | X of corner 7. |
| Y | mm | Y of corner 7. |
| Corner 8 | ||
| X | mm | X of corner 8. |
| Y | mm | Y of corner 8. |
| Plate and lift points | ||
| Plate thickness | mm | Thickness of the plate. |
| Density | kg/m³ | Density of the plate material (7850 for steel). |
| Lift point A X | mm | X of lift point A. |
| Lift point A Y | mm | Y of lift point A. |
| Lift point B X | mm | X of lift point B. |
| Lift point B Y | mm | Y of lift point B. |
| Working load limit of each lift point | kN | Rated load of each lug, shackle or clamp. |
Method and formulas
- Shoelace area and centroid from the corners (as the polygon area tool).
- Mass = area × thickness × density; weight = mass × g.
- Share at B = projection of the CG along A→B ÷ |AB|; A takes the rest; the perpendicular offset of the CG from AB is how far the plate swings to hang.
- Example: the plate weighs 565.2 kg with its CG at X 1,200, Y 760; A takes 2.4249 kN and B 3.1178 kN.
Limitations
- Flat plate of uniform thickness without holes; subtract cut-outs as separate shapes.
- Vertical lift from both points; inclined slings add load and need the sling tools.
- Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.
Typical uses
- Plan a lift of a profile-cut plate
- Place lifting lugs so the load shares evenly
- Check shackle and lug ratings on a panel lift
Who it is for
- Riggers
- Fabrication supervisors
- Lifting engineers
What you get
- Area, perimeter and centre of gravity
- Mass and weight
- Load on each lift point and the hang offset
Interpreting the result
- With only two lift points the plate always hangs with its CG under the line between them; a large offset means it hangs steeply tilted.
References
- Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 40–48, 66–76, 221–227. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.
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Open the Plate Lift Plan (Shape Area, Mass, Centre of Gravity, Two-Point Lift Loads) calculator
