The equipment arrives. The installation is scheduled. Production is ready.
Then someone discovers the lift doesn’t reach the machine. The gripper can’t hold the part. Or the system can’t keep up with the production cycle.
Now you’re spending more money solving a problem the equipment was supposed to eliminate.
A complete lift assist RFQ prevents costly misunderstandings before equipment is ordered.
Whether you’re specifying a custom balancer, ergonomic lifting device, or material handling system, use the checklist below to communicate your requirements clearly and receive more accurate, comparable supplier quotes.
What Should a Custom Lift Assist RFQ Include?
A custom lift assist Request for Quotation (RFQ) should define six areas: lifting dimensions, part specifications, operating frequency, facility requirements, safety expectations, and acceptance criteria.
Use this checklist when preparing your RFQ or evaluating proposals from lifting equipment manufacturers.
1. Lifting Envelope & Workstation Requirements
Can the equipment reach every position your operator needs without unnecessary movement?
- Maximum horizontal reach: ______ ft/in
- Minimum pickup height: ______ ft/in
- Maximum placement height: ______ ft/in
- Required vertical lift travel: ______ ft/in
- Horizontal travel distance: ______ ft/in
- Required part rotation or tilt: ______ degrees
- Operator approach direction: ______
- Available overhead clearance: ______ ft/in
- Mounting preference: Floor / Wall / Overhead rail / Undecided
- Workstation drawing or layout attached
Why it matters: These dimensions determine the required arm length, balancer stroke, mounting configuration, and usable coverage area. KUNDEL’s Quick-Lift arms come in 3, 4 and 5 m lengths.
2. Part Specifications & Gripping Requirements
The equipment shouldn’t just lift the part. It should hold it securely without damaging it.
- Minimum part weight: ______ lbs
- Maximum part weight: ______ lbs
- Expected gripper or end effector weight (counts against rated capacity): ______ lbs
- Part dimensions (L × W × H): ______
- Center of gravity identified: Yes / No
- Part material: ______
- Surface condition: Smooth / Rough / Painted / Oily / Other
- Fragile or damage-sensitive areas: ______
- Approved gripping/contact points: ______
- Exposure to oil, dust, moisture, or debris: ______
- Part drawings, photos, or CAD files attached
Why it matters: Part geometry, surface conditions, and center of gravity influence gripper design and the validation needed to confirm secure handling. For reference, Quick-Lift arms handle up to 660 lb and rail units up to 1,322 lb, and the gripper’s weight counts against that rating.
Explore KUNDEL’s custom lifting grippers for applications requiring specialized part handling.
3. Duty Cycle & Production Requirements
Can the lift keep up with your production line, shift after shift?
- Expected lifts per hour: ______
- Target cycle time: ______ seconds
- Operating hours per shift: ______
- Number of shifts per day: ______
- Operating days per week: ______
- Expected annual lifting cycles: ______
- Required part positioning accuracy: ______
- Expected future production increases: ______
Why it matters: Operating frequency and cycle-time requirements affect balancer selection, pneumatic versus electric power options, applicable duty classification, and component service life.
A device capable of lifting the load is only useful if it can also support the pace of production.
4. Facility & Installation Requirements
Will the equipment actually fit and operate in your facility?
- Available electrical voltage and phase: ______
- Available compressed air pressure: ______ PSI
- Available compressed air flow: ______ CFM
- Compressed air quality requirements or limitations: ______
- Mounting location: Floor / Wall / Jib boom / Overhead rail / Other
- Structural capacity verified: Yes / No / Pending
- Ceiling height: ______
- Available installation footprint: ______
- Environmental conditions: ______
- Existing overhead rail or jib at the station: ______
Why it matters: Electrical, pneumatic, structural, and space limitations should be evaluated before purchasing equipment, not discovered during installation. Most Quick-Lift arm and rail units run on 230 V single-phase power; vacuum and magnetic grippers need clean, dry air at 6 to 8 bar.
5. Safety, Training & Maintenance Requirements
What does your team need to operate the system safely from day one?
- Required load-retention and anti-drop provisions identified
- Emergency stop and operator control requirements documented
- Operator experience and skill levels assessed
- Initial operator training included in proposal
- Pre-operation inspection procedures provided
- Preventive maintenance schedule provided
- Recommended spare parts list included
- Required safety and technical documentation included
- Applicable standards and compliance responsibilities identified
Why it matters: A complete specification accounts for the people operating and maintaining the equipment, not simply the equipment itself.
6. Vendor Proposal & Acceptance Criteria
Are you comparing the same solution across every quote?
Require each supplier to address the following:
- Proposed equipment model and configuration
- Rated lifting capacity covering part plus gripper weight
- Confirmation of required reach and lift travel
- Expected cycle-time capability
- Description of gripping and release functionality
- Installation and commissioning responsibilities
- Factory or site acceptance testing requirements
- Operator training and documentation included
- Estimated lead time
- Warranty and service support
- Itemized pricing and exclusions
- Exceptions or deviations from the RFQ identified
Why it matters: A lower equipment price doesn’t necessarily mean a lower total project cost. Clear acceptance criteria and consistent vendor requirements make proposals easier to evaluate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lift Assist RFQs
What Is the Most Important Information in a Lift Assist RFQ?
The most critical information includes maximum load weight, part dimensions, center of gravity, required reach, lifting height, operating frequency, and gripping requirements. These details establish whether a proposed device can perform the application safely and effectively.
Should Engineers Specify the Exact Lift Assist Equipment?
Not necessarily. Engineers should clearly define the application’s performance requirements and known constraints. This allows manufacturers to recommend an appropriate balancer, jib arm, gripper, or custom configuration.
How Can Procurement Compare Custom Lift Assist Quotes?
Use the same RFQ checklist for every supplier. Require vendors to document how their proposals meet each requirement and identify any exceptions, assumptions, or additional costs.
Get the Right Lift Assist Equipment the First Time
The best lifting system isn’t the one with the most features or the lowest sticker price.
It’s the one that fits your workstation, handles your parts, keeps up with production, and makes the operator’s job easier.
A few extra details in your RFQ today can prevent expensive changes after installation.
KUNDEL offers Quick-Lift arms, rail units and custom grippers for industrial part handling.
Ready to turn your requirements into a workable solution? Request a custom lift assist built around your parts, production process, and operators.