Clean and New

Innovations include devices for sanitizing and monitoring, plus design software and two new elevators.

Handheld Handrail Cleaning Tool

EscaTEQ of Waddinxveen, the Netherlands, has released Rail-TEQ, a handheld cleaning tool for escalator handrails. Its universal sizing, the company says, fits almost any brand, model or width of handrail. A two-hand grip can be used for greater stability and less fatigue. Removable, washable microfiber cleaning pads are included, as is a bottle of Rubber- TEQ, a quat-based, proprietary cleaning solution formulated for escalator handrail cleaning. As pre-cleaning is generally required for most disinfection procedures to be effective, EscaTEQ suggests using Rail-TEQ to remove dirt and buildup prior to disinfection procedures. It is available in Europe now but will not launch in North America until 2021. escateq.com

Self-Cleaning Coating for Cabins

American PPE & Coating Services, Inc. and American CleanCoating Co. of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, have released the XTI-360 With Active-Shield, a self-cleaning coating technology they say has up to 100% antimicrobial efficacy. The coating can be applied to concrete, ceramic, fabrics, plastic, glass and metal. Designed to effectively reduce the amount of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria on porous and nonporous material surfaces, it is intended for high-touch areas such as elevator cabs. The companies add that an independent lab confirmed the killing of all known virus and bacteria on surfaces with the product. Other features are that it is:

• Non-toxic, nonflammable and RoHS compliant
• Self-charging via nanoparticles that need only light, though it also works in the dark
• Viable for more than one year
• Effective in killing germs contacting coated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning filters, purifying air and eliminating odors
• Safe for sensitive surfaces, causing no damage or discoloration
• Durable enough to not wear or peel off like stick-on plastic or films
• Ecologically friendly, composed of 99% water, nearly 1%titanium dioxide and a minute amount of silver.
  xti-360.com

Collaborative Cab Designer

The Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc. Elevator & Escalator Division of Cypress, California, has released its Collaborative Cab Designer, an elevator design support tool. The online offering allows users to virtually design elevator cabs by generating mockups of passenger, service and panoramic elevators with available options from the company. Various components and finishes, such as cabin walls, ceilings, handrails and doors, are available for customization. There are also prepopulated renderings and a direct link to Mitsubishi Electric US: users can send design configurations directly to representatives to begin the quote process.
The “collaborative” feature means the designer can host virtual mockups of cabs created by multiple people in real time. Chris Cole, national sales and marketing manager for the division, explained, “As many businesses continue to work remotely, this multiuser cab design tool will allow our partners to suggest design recommendations from any location.”
mitsubishicabdesigner.com

MRL Hydraulic Elevator, MCP Alerts

Cambridge Elevating Inc. of Cambridge, Canada, offers a new Machine Room-less (MRL) Hydraulic Elevator. Intended to save space and be used for retrofits, renovations and new builds, “the MRL is a smoother and quieter ride than conventional electric MRL elevators,” the company says. It relies on a compact hydraulic pump the company developed
to fit directly into the hoistway.
Additionally, the company has added Maintenance Control Program (MCP) alerts as part of its remote-monitoring service. The program informs both the homeowner and elevator service provider when the elevator is due for maintenance. Homeowners can opt to receive email notifications when their elevator is due for service, while the dealer has access to an “MCP Dealer Due Report,” which is a list of elevators due for regular service in their elevator fleet. Contact information is included. Additionally, dealers also have access to an “MCP Lookup Table,” which highlights tasks completed at each service appointment.
cambridgeelevating.com

Commercial Elevator Air Purifier

Stanley Elevator Co., Inc., with offices in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts, has released the CASPR 200e, what it calls “a natural purifier designed for commercial elevators.” The small system is installed inside a cabin to eliminate air pollution and illness-causing pathogens on surfaces such as call buttons. The silent technology, with no moving parts, has a 99.999% kill rate on surfaces and is effective against bacteria, viruses, mold, odors and volatile organic compounds. It uses a “special UV lighting” and photocatalyst target to create an advanced oxidation process. When tested in elevators during a pilot program, it resulted in:

• A 95% reduction in aerobic counts taken from air samples in the elevator
• A 99% reduction in aerobic and fungal counts on the elevator buttons
• A 92% reduction in aerobic and fungal counts from the elevator floor
• A 99% reduction in aerobic and fungal counts on the elevator handrail
  stanleyelevator.com

Compact Home Elevator

Savaria has released the Vuelift Mini, a compact option to its line of Vuelift home elevators. Composed of a cylindrical glass hoistway and 50-in. footprint, it is designed for floorplan flexibility and easy contractor installation. The company says it can be installed inside a spiral staircase, attached to a balcony or mezzanine, or inserted through floors. It is available in either clear acrylic or UV-resistant glass with a matching cab and landing doors. The frame is available in black, white, silver or custom colors. It can be configured for up to six stops and 50 ft of travel with a 500-lb capacity. It includes a battery backup for lowering in the case of a power outage.
vuelift.com

Networking Electric Load Monitoring Device

Richmond, Virginia-based Weidmüller USA’s topGUARD is a modular electronic load output system comprising a feed-in module and several connected output modules. The output modules are available with both fixed and freely adjustable fuse ratings up to 12 A per module. Voltage-adaptive Class 2 load monitoring enables operating voltages of 18-30 VDC to be consistently applied for National Electric Code-compliant distribution. It also facilitates reliable protection of 24-V system voltage, the company said. In the event of an overload or a short circuit, the product will shut down the affected channel.
Data transparency and remote control are made possible due to IO-Link and CANopen communication protocols, with more to come via updates. Time and costs can be saved due to an integrated distribution of potential to network with other system components, and upgrading from Weidmüller’s maxGUARD is designed to be simple.
weidmuller.com