A drum loading and unloading system and method for loading and unloading a drum. The system includes a portable base unit having pedestals for holding a drum at a predetermined position for loading and unloading material from the drum; a pair of pneumatic cylinders attached to the portable base supporting a cross-beam; a pumping piston attached to the cross-beam for pumping material into and out of the drum; and a lifting device attached to the cross-beam for lifting the drum onto the pedestals of the portable base.

A method of manufacturing a wind turbine blade (10) is provided, the method comprising the steps of providing a first shell half (38) and a second shell half (36), providing at least one shear web (50) having a web body (61) arranged between a first mounting flange (62) and an opposing second mounting flange (63), and providing a lifting assembly (65). The lifting assembly comprising at least one crane device (68), a lifting rail (69) suspended from the at least one crane device (68), and a plurality of lifting clamps (70, 72), each lifting clamp being connected to the lifting rail (69). The method further comprises the steps of attaching the lifting clamps (70, 72) to the shear web (50), lifting the shear web (50) with the lifting assembly (65), lowering the shear web (50) into the first shell half (38) with the lifting assembly (65), bonding the first mounting flange (62) of the shear web (50) to an inner surface (66) of the first shell half (38), detaching the lifting clamps (70, 72) from the shear web (50), bringing the first and second shell halves (38, 36) together, and bonding the second mounting flange (63) of the shear web to the second shell half (36).

A method of manufacturing a wind turbine blade (10) is provided, the method comprising the steps of providing a first shell half (38) and a second shell half (36), providing at least one shear web (50) having a web body (61) arranged between a first mounting flange (62) and an opposing second mounting flange (63), and providing a lifting assembly (65). The lifting assembly comprising at least one crane device (68), a lifting rail (69) suspended from the at least one crane device (68), and a plurality of lifting clamps (70, 72), each lifting clamp being connected to the lifting rail (69). The method further comprises the steps of attaching the lifting clamps (70, 72) to the shear web (50), lifting the shear web (50) with the lifting assembly (65), lowering the shear web (50) into the first shell half (38) with the lifting assembly (65), bonding the first mounting flange (62) of the shear web (50) to an inner surface (66) of the first shell half (38), detaching the lifting clamps (70, 72) from the shear web (50), bringing the first and second shell halves (38, 36) together, and bonding the second mounting flange (63) of the shear web to the second shell half (36).

A disclosed gripping system for lifting planar objects comprises a back plate, center sliding plate, lifting pin assembly and cam plate in pivotal connection. Slabs of granite, concrete, marble and other dense planar objects may be safely lifted, moved and lowered, with automatic locking and unlocking of the planar object occurring in response to either the gripping system being lowered upon the planar object, or the planar object being deposited upon the ground.

Pipe handling apparatus with an insert (4) configured to be inserted into a pipe to be handled (23). One or more clamping members (19) are moveably mounted relative to the insert. One or more actuators (17) are operable to urge the clamping members (19) towards the insert (4) thereby to grip the wall of the pipe to be handled (23). The insert (4) may be cylindrical. Multiple clamping members (19) may be spaced around the insert (4). The clamping members (19) may extend axially along the insert (4). The apparatus is suitable for handling flexible pipes (23) formed from multiple layers of helically wound metal strands.

A clamping device for lifting and moving objects can include a fixed and rotatable jaw facing a movable and rotatable jaw, which is activated by an arm assembly coupled to a fixed body. The clamping device can include a hand-free mechanism for switching between a clamping action and a jaw opening action for inserting the object. The clamping device can include a guiding mechanism for guiding an object to the space between the jaws, effectively enlarging the jaw opening for ease of clamping on thicker objects.

A clamping device for lifting and moving objects can include a fixed and rotatable jaw facing a movable and rotatable jaw, which is activated by an arm assembly coupled to a fixed body. The clamping device can include a hand-free mechanism for switching between a clamping action and a jaw opening action for inserting the object. The clamping device can include a guiding mechanism for guiding an object to the space between the jaws, effectively enlarging the jaw opening for ease of clamping on thicker objects.

The invention relates to a lifting system (1-5) for lifting elongated objects, comprising a sensor device (1) arranged to identify position and location of an elongated object, a lifting and rotating device (3), and a control unit (2) for controlling the movement of said lifting and rotating device (3) in response to signals from the sensor device (1) which indicate the position and location of the object. In order to lift elongated objects regardless of object's material, profile or position, said lifting and rotating device (3) is provided with an elongated gripping device (4) including a first gripping arm (4-1), and said control unit (2) is configured to control the lifting and rotating device (3) to insert a part of the first gripping arm into the object from one end of said object in order to lift and rotate the object with the inserted part.

The invention relates to a lifting system (1-5) for lifting elongated objects, comprising a sensor device (1) arranged to identify position and location of an elongated object, a lifting and rotating device (3), and a control unit (2) for controlling the movement of said lifting and rotating device (3) in response to signals from the sensor device (1) which indicate the position and location of the object. In order to lift elongated objects regardless of object's material, profile or position, said lifting and rotating device (3) is provided with an elongated gripping device (4) including a first gripping arm (4-1), and said control unit (2) is configured to control the lifting and rotating device (3) to insert a part of the first gripping arm into the object from one end of said object in order to lift and rotate the object with the inserted part.

A lifting tool for gripping an object, is provided. The lifting tool includes a body and a locking arrangement. The body defines a gripping cavity for receiving the object. The locking arrangement lock the object within the gripping cavity. The locking arrangement includes a shaft having an eccentric structure and a pin. The shaft and the eccentric structure are configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis. The pin is configured to engage with the eccentric structure and lock the object within the gripping cavity. The pin is biased in a first position, where a portion of the pin extends into the gripping cavity and locks the object within the gripping cavity.