The Rotating Optical Work Positioner, Project 36157, is a custom Alum-a-Lift solution engineered for handling heavy, high value optical components in the defense industry. Designed for loads up to 350 lbs. [159 kgs.], it combines lateral and vertical shuttles, tilt adjustment, and a motor-driven rotating support to position turrets precisely for assembly, integration, and inspection. The body of the lift is built for stability under offset loads, while the motion system allows operators to align mounting features and access multiple faces of the module without manual lifting or rerigging.

Fine positioning is a key focus of this design. Vertical adjustment is managed through an ACME screw with a locking hand wheel for precise height control, backed by a ball screw drive with variable speed control on a pendant box to provide smooth powered lift and lowering. A quick release lever enables rapid lateral shuttle adjustment to bring the object handled into exact alignment with fixtures or vehicle interfaces. Tilt adjustment and the motor-driven rotating fixture, also with variable speed control, give operators the ability to rotate and angle the object in a controlled manner, improving access for fasteners, wiring, and functional checks while maintaining ergonomic working positions.

To support safe, repeatable setup and transport, the optical work positioner lift includes metal hand wheels for leveling pads that help stabilize the base on uneven floors, as well as folding handles that improve maneuverability while keeping the overall footprint compact when stored. Together, these features create an optical component handling lift that reduces manual effort, enhances precision, and supports consistent, repeatable workflows in optical assembly and maintenance operations. The same combination of lateral and vertical movements, controlled rotation, and fine adjustment can be adapted for other defense and heavy equipment applications that require accurate positioning of large, dense components.