• RUD ACP-TURNADO now in sizes M8 to M100 and ½" to 4” for the highest load weights
• Up to 30 % more WLL compared to lifting points of comparable design and size from other suppliers
• Lifting point automatically rotates in the load direction without dangerous transverse loads
• New applications in the heavy load area

Four years ago, RUD introduced the RUD ACP-TURNADO onto the market. The special feature: Since the “smart” centric lifting point automatically turns into the load direction when the load is lifted, the lift bail cannot remain stationary and a sudden drop of the load is not possible. Now the company from Aalen has gone one step further in terms of WLLs. With immediate effect, the smart RUD ACP-TURNADO is available from M8 to M100 as well as ½" to 4", each with all the well-known advantages of the ACP concept. This means that a suitable solution is now available for an even greater variety of applications, including extreme heavy-duty applications.

"With the expansion of the range of sizes and the correspondingly higher WLLs, we have been able to significantly expand the range of applications for the RUD ACP-TURNADO further, this time to cover even heavier load ranges," explains Jürgen Grubmüller, Marketing Director at the leading German provider for fastening and lashing technology.

This means that the RUD ACP-TURNADO is now available with metric threads in diameters M8, M10, M12, M16, M20, M24, M30, M36, M42, M48, M52, M56, M64, M72, M80, M90 and M100 as well as with UNC inch threads in sizes ½", 5/8", ¾", 1", 1 ¼", 1 ½", 1 ¾", 2", 2 ½", 3", 3 ½" and 4". Regardless of the design, all variants feature the well-known and established ACP advantages. And: Depending on size and design, the lifting point is now called ACP-TURNADO, ACP-TURNADO MAX or ACP-TURNADO SUPERMAX.

Lift bail cannot remain vertical – dangerous traverse loads are prevented

A reminder: The RUD ACP-TURNADO eliminates two known weaknesses of conventional centric lifting points. The first: If the lift bail stops in the so-called "worst-case position" when the load is lifted, thus the dangerous 90° position, it is exposed to large shear forces and bending moments. The second: With conventional lifting points, the load often sags abruptly as soon as the lift bail rotates out of this position. As a result, there could be damage or even breakage.

"With the RUD ACP-TURNADO, this is excluded thanks to a special spring mechanism," reports Marketing Director Jürgen Grubmüller. In connection with the swivel joint in the lift bail axle, it prevents the 90° position of the lift bail by inevitably turning it in the direction of the optimal split force introduction before lifting. “This makes the user’s work significantly easier and safer, and our lifting point a real game changer”, explains Grubmüller.

The innovative spring mechanism is the actual heart of the RUD ACP-TURNADO. It provides its unique “intelligence” and actually makes it a “smart” lifting point, and what the user wants. The clever mechanism is located on the inside of the ACP-TURNADO MAX and ACP-TURNADO SUPERMAX, and on the outside of the smaller versions.                                                  

Three designs, optimised for defined WLL ranges        

The RUD ACP-TURNADO not only offers increased safety, but also advantages in handling. Like already the smaller sizes, now the large versions of the ACP-TURNADO MAX have an exchangeable combination head bolt with internal and external hexagon, which enables optimum handling. The bolt is captive, but still replaceable, which is very useful in everyday life. In addition, there is an adapted thread length for each dimension instead of a standard thread length across several sizes.

With the design of the large variants from M52 or 2 ½", RUD takes a different approach in terms of bolt technology, for good reasons. The Aalen company installs a firmly connected threaded rod here. Jürgen Grubmüller says: “This concept allows us to flexibly realise larger lifting points for our customers even in the smallest batch sizes.” Even customised special threads or special lengths up to 300 mm are possible. This means that each of the three designs of the RUD ACP-TURNADO is optimally matched to a defined WLL range and individual requirements.

Immense variety of applications

A practical feature of RUD ACP-TURNADO MAX and ACP-TURNADO SUPERMAX is the deflector disc which makes the user’s work easier. It is equipped with an angle marking and thus enables a quick, simple assessment of the current stop angle. The disc also displays important information for the user such as the WLL specification in “t” and “lbs”, the design factor 4:1 and 5:1 as well as the torque moment. Thanks to this, the RUD ACP-TURNADO fulfils the requirements of the American standard ASME B30.26. Furthermore, wear lenses are installed at the critical points of the power transmission make it easy to assess whether the lifting point has already reached discard maturity.

The RUD ACP-TURNADO in sizes M8 to M42 / ½" to 1 ¾" has already successfully established itself in numerous industries such as tool and mould making, automotive, mechanical engineering, in the maritime and offshore sector as well as power plant construction. Precisely where safety, high WLL and best handling are required. The new sizes up to M100 or 4” represent a significant increase in applications in these and other sectors.

RFID as standard

Since lifting means have to be tested regularly in more and more countries, with the results documented in a time-consuming and legally watertight manner, RUD has also integrated RFID transponders into the lifting point as standard in all variants of the RUD ACP-TURNADO. Thanks to the ID number stored in the transponder at the factory, the lifting points can be clearly identified by means of a reading device or smart phone, and then the inspection results can be easily assigned. The procedure reduces inspection times and costs and increases process reliability since errors are avoided. Operators of lifting means can save inspection data and documents either in their own databases or use the cloud-based inspection management software Aye-D.Net by Syfit, a subsidiary of RUD.