Abstract: A lifting apparatus for lifting manufacturing rings is provided. The lifting apparatus includes an attachment part having an opening extending therethrough, and a plurality of elongated legs extending from the attachment part. Each of the elongated legs has a slit disposed therein. A plurality of support rods are movably disposed in the slits. The support rods are pivotable between a lowered position in which each support rod extends from the associated slit and a raised position in which each support rod is disposed within the associated slit. The lifting apparatus further includes an actuating part operably associated with the support rods and for moving the support rods between the raised position and the lowered position.