A lifting column can provide optimized performance with a nut gap system that efficiently and precisely measures a nut gap during lifting operations. The nut gap system can have a rotating core onto which a nut and traveler are positioned. The nut can be separated from the traveler by a nut gap that is monitored by at least one sensor that continuously extends through the nut to access the nut gap.

A drop table can employ a number of lifting columns respectively arranged with a nut and traveler each positioned on a rotating core with the nut separated from the traveler by a nut gap. The nut gap may be measured with a first sensor positioned within the nut and the first sensor detecting a nut gap distance with a first sensing feature. The first sensor can be changed to a second sensor that detects the nut gap distance with a second sensing feature that is different than the first sensing feature.

A lifting column can provide optimized performance with a nut gap system that efficiently and precisely measures a nut gap during lifting operations. The nut gap system can have a rotating core onto which a nut and traveler are positioned. The nut can be separated from the traveler by a nut gap that is monitored by at least one sensor that continuously extends through the nut to access the nut gap.