Issue 5/2007
09/02/07
Novelties and innovations at the interlift 2007
Oberingenieur Dipl.-Ing. Werner A. Boehm
The interlift 2007, the worldwide leading trade fair for elevator technology, is presenting, as was to be expected, numerous novelties and innovations. Since the last interlift in 2005 there have been five main topics which occupied this sector: The improvement and the standardisation of the safety standards for elevators in Europe, evacuation in case of catastrophes, and – to be seen within the context of the worldwide discussions about climate change – the introduction of energy efficiency in elevators and escalators. Numerous interesting possible solutions aimed at these main topics will be presented by the over 470 exhibitors at the interlift 2007. But in addition, new and further reaching ideas and products will be showing the highly innovative energy of this sector at the interlift and demonstrate the considerable technical progress, which has been made within the timeframe of only two years.
Category: Issue 5/2007
Posted by: Editor
The increased safety, in particular in the case of existing elevators, demands suitable components and system solutions for use in refurbishment packages. Starting with the assessment and evaluation of the existing state, right through to the technical execution and testing of the improved plant, products and solutions will be presented at the interlift, which will make it possible to carry out the measures required by the regulations.
For free access for everyone, within the most varied fields of life, living and working areas, the elevator is of outstanding importance. Only with elevators is it possible to achieve comprehensive vertical access “for everyone” in buildings. This does not only concern the elderly, but also all other people with restrictions on their mobility, for example, a young mother with her child in a buggy. In particular for smaller housing and residences, groundbreaking system solutions will be presented at the interlift.
Suppliers of control and display elements will be showing many interesting products, contributing to the easier utilization of elevators by persons with restricted mobility.
Unfortunately the problem of vandalism in elevators and escalators is becoming steadily worse. New approaches to solutions are made easier through the general framework of the standards. Planning and construction of the plants must go hand in hand. It will be exciting to see the corresponding exhibits at the interlift 2007.
Ever since six years ago the tragic incidents of the 11th September 2001 took place in New York, the evacuation of buildings in cases of catastrophe is one of the most important topics in this sector. Differences have to be made between lower and high-rise buildings, and a number of possible solutions are being discussed, sometimes quite controversially. In particular, component manufacturers and suppliers of system solutions can be expected to present new approaches, at least for certain areas of the whole complex of topics. This includes, for example, catastrophes in cases of earthquakes, which particularly concern some of the countries bordering the Mediterranean.
A large selection of exhibits is being presented on the subject of energy efficiency of elevators and escalators. In this field, national, European and global standards have to be considered, some of which are already being implemented or are shortly to be realised. Improvements in energy efficiency begin at the planning stage, influence the development, construction, manufacture and installation and depend to a high degree on the quality of maintenance.
Some topics, which are important for our sector, can also be bundled into pack ages. One example is the refurbishment of existing elevator plants. In these cases measures can be taken to improve the safety, to improve the consumption of energy and to embellish the elevator, all bundled together in a modernization package.
The reduction of the required volume of the construction continues to remain an important development target for component and system manufacturers. The new solutions for machine-room-less concepts are concentrating in the main on maintaining the absolutely necessary shelter area at the head and the base of the shaft for installation and maintenance personnel, according to the valid standards.
The exhibited controls for elevators will be showing the influence of PESSRAL, or Programmable Electronic Systems in Safety Related Applications for Lifts. As part of the electrical equipment of the elevator plants, sensors are becoming ever more important. The main topics of the sector previously mentioned can only be solved through use of the most modern sensor technology.This includes, for example, counting the passengers and gauging the exact weight.
There is much curiosity as to what will be exhibited in the field of installation technology. This also includes, for example, modern systems for attachment and adhesion, and support devices which will save time in installation, particularly in equipping the shaft.
More and more recognition is being given to the fact that the elevator and the escalator must each be seen as an import ant factor of building services engineering. For this reason, many topics can only be seen in the overall complex of technical building services engineering. The optimal overall functioning of a building can only be guaranteed with the most modern means of communication. Building services engineering also means, however, communication with service centres over long distances. In this connection we will also be seeing new and innovative emergency call systems at the interlift 2007.
The quality of the elevator becomes an important argument in the dialogue between owners and operators on the one hand, and planners, manufacturers, installation and maintenance enterprises on the other. However, in this connection the quality must be defined, and above all it must be possible to measure and assess it. The manufacturers of these measuring systems will be showing their capabilities at the interlift 2007. In this connection, weightless testing of elevators isgrowing in importance.
Software tools as support in planning, projecting, calculation, quality control and in installation and monitoring of maintenance are being presented in numerous stages of expansion. This complex of topics also includes the question of documentation in all phases of the lifetime of an elevator, and also training and further education.
We are eagerly awaiting the interlift 2007. A visit is an absolute MUST for all elevator constructors, and the meeting place for this sector “par excellence”.
1) Oberingenieur Dipl.-Ing. Werner A. Boehm is the General Manager of the VFA-Interlift e. V., the German elevator technology association, and sponsor of the worldwide leading trade fair interlift. As the Chairman of the Trade Fair Council, Werner A. Boehm was also mainly responsible for planning and designing the interlift Forum, which he will also be presenting professionally.
5/2007
