Lift Report

The new Machinery Directive and the associated amendment of the Lifts Directive went into force at mid-2006. The modifications in responsibilities, procedures and technical product requirements have to be applied as of the end of 2009. The greatest consequence is that these changes provide future legal clarity in determining which lifts will be governed by the Lifts Directive and which fall within the purview of the Machinery Directive. When engineering lifts in accordance with the Machinery Directive, in particular, it will also be necessary to take account of some changes in organizational and technical aspects.

An up-to-date analysis of the situation and developments in the lift and esca lator industry was submitted by the IMU Institute Stuttgart in the summer of 2007.

Employing a combined workforce of around 18,000 and encompassing around 800 different companies, the lift and escalator sector forms a part of the mechanical engineering industry. Despite enormous internationalization pressure and the closure of production plants here in Germany as a result of globalized production concepts over recent decades, the sector remains a significant mainstay of the economy. As a sector in which service has traditionally been of overriding importance, it may be considered something of a pioneer of the mechanical engineering industry in the light of the transformation brought about by the general increase in service orientation. Furthermore, the lift and escalator sector is an industry characterized by a marked process of concentration, emanating primarily from its four major players (Big 4).

Over recent years, there has been a marked trend for lift constructors to drastically cut back on their vertical range of production in favour of increased external sourcing of components. One such component is the landing door.The Lift Directive (Directive 95/16/EC) contains a list of safety components in Annex IV. Point 1 lists devices for locking landing doors.

It is estimated that 2.5 % of all escalator stops lead to passenger falls. Passenger falls can cause injury, and in extreme cases can lead to avalanche falls. One of the aims of the design of an escalator control and braking system is the minimization (and eventual elimination) of the risk of passenger falls following an unplanned escalator stoppage. This paper describes the results of experimental investigations into the relationship between subjective passenger comfort and the kinematics of a stopping escalator.

The world’s leading trade fair for the elevator industry is basking in the glow of record-breaking figures. After the number of exhibitors and amount of floor space occupied had already reached the highest levels ever, previous visitor records tumbled, too. The expectations for 18,000 visitors, as mentioned in the opening speech delivered by Heiko Könicke, business manager for the AFAG Messen und Ausstellungen GmbH, were exceeded. The 18,500 guests from 60 countries represented a new high-water mark. These are the most gratifying rewards for the highly successful team at the AFAG. Their preparations for the fair covered many months, were far more than simply intensive, and involved resolute action both in Germany and in foreign fields.