Clean, Illuminated and Appealing
Mar 21, 2022
Companies big and small pack technology into a variety of offerings.
thyssenkrupp Launches Touchless App
thyssenkrupp’s AGILE mobile powered by Liftoff allows tenants to operate elevators via their smartphone or wearable device. The app helps avoid elevator traffic congestion, as well as physical interaction with elevator surfaces, buttons and handrails. Users can download the app from an app store and request enrollment. An administration portal allows the building management to process user requests individually or in batch uploads. The portal can integrate with most access-control companies to synchronize permissions. In addition, building management can use the portal to create tenant groups and floor access schedules.
After being granted access, users can create their profiles in the app, requesting floor access and setting access schedules. Once approved by building management, the user can begin accessing elevators remotely. Once the user enters the building’s lobby and connects with a beacon, a prompt is sent to the elevator system, and the preselected floor is registered. The allocated elevator is then promptly displayed on the app, and the tenant may board. In February, the product was being piloted at the 51-story 55 Hudson Yards in NYC.
Touchless, Purifying Elevator
Hyundai Elevator has released the N:EX residential/commercial elevator equipped with touchless technology and an ionizer air purifier the company says is “installed with high-efficiency filters capable of preventing the spread of airborne bacteria and fine dust.” The system registers the desired target floor by Bluetooth tagging (for residential buildings), and motion call buttons (for commercial buildings) recognize hand gestures. The latter are to be introduced at a premium outlet in South Korea and an apartment complex in Dalian, China, soon.
The company said the lifespan of the N:EX belt system is two to three times greater than that of steel ropes due to the adoption of polyurethane-coated belts, instead of metal ropes. It added that the belts’ coating makes them lighter and quieter than steel ropes.
Electronic Load-Weighing System
Ametal, an Istanbul-based manufacturer and vendor of complete elevator systems and components, has introduced the LWS 3F Electronic Load Weighing System, which measures the load weight within the cabin. Offered in three different types, the system can be mounted on ropes and rope attachments. The LWS 3FE 311 model measures load weight within the cabin via rope attachment and is produced with different wedges that measure weight from different parts. “The success of the system depends on the curved washers supplied with the product,” the company says. “Curved washers are good at minimizing measurement mistakes arising from the axial movements of the rope attachments when the cabin reaches the last floor.”
Wearable Social Distance Monitor
WorkSpace, a division of Exeter, U.K.’s Emtec Corp., has launched the Safe Spacer™ wearable social distance monitor. Developed in conjunction with IK Multimedia, it helps users maintain a safe social distance in the workplace and alerts wearers when other units come within 2 m with light, vibration and sound. The lightweight monitor uses ultra-wideband radio-frequency technology to achieve precise distancing the company says is up to 10 times more accurate than traditional Bluetooth. The user can choose visual, vibrating or audible alerts, and the device can log contacts to facilitate fast contact tracing in the event of a reported exposure.
Each unit can be charged individually. For organizations managing multiple units, an optional docking/charging station allows simultaneous bulk charging of up to 25 units. Three of these “S-Chargers” can be daisy chained to allow charging for up to 75 units at a time. When connected to a computer, an S-Charger can be used to configure multiple units and customise alert distances and types.
Safety Module for Drives
Wuppertal, Germany-based Schmersal Group says its latest sensorless standstill monitor offers a significant improvement over its AZR- and FWS-series predecessors. The SSW303HV is a universal standstill monitor application, which replaces 14 variants of the previous product range. This is made possible via a wide-range power supply for all common AC and DC operating voltages, from 24 VDC/VAC to 230 VAC. The increased temperature range of -25 to +55°C also brings additional application potential. A further benefit is the model taking up only 45 mm of structural width in the switch cabinet. The connecting terminals are pluggable and coded, and an additional signaling contact provides error-status information.
As the standstill monitor operates entirely without sensors, the machine builder no longer needs to intervene with the hardware of the surrounding structure. The safety module is connected directly to a three-phase motor and directly measures the frequency of the induced voltage at rated motor voltages of up to 690 V. The safety contacts for releasing the locking mechanism close as soon as the motor comes to a standstill. The company adds that the SSW303HV can be used in safety circuits up to EN 13849-1 category 4/Performance Level e and EN IEC 61508 SIL 3 with all typical safety interlock designs from applicable manufacturers.
Cinema-Inspired Elevator Cabs
Italy’s IGV Group has released Pop Up, the second lift in its Ad Hoc line. Designed by Milan-based CaberlonCaroppi, Pop Up draws inspiration from the cinema and, according to IGV, “is just like children’s books that open [to] 3D figures. . . giving personality to an environment that has always been somewhat neglected, to transport people into a dream that lasts the time of a short trip.” Pop Up includes three options designed to create “a suspended moment of experience and surprise” for elevators serving homes, hotels and public and private buildings. Design options are:
- “Belle Epoque,” “dreamlike and elegant, expressing a clear reference to the poetic films of Wes Anderson”
- “Golden Age,” inspired by black-and-white movies that showed a lift operator accompanying guests to their floors. This option is characterized by geometric wallpaper from Zambaiti Parati’s Eterea collection, complemented by mirrors and metal accents.
- “Home Sweet Home,” a more intimate space with wood-paneled walls accented by mirrors and frames, a padded bench and a parquet floor
Coordinated by IGV’s new Art Director Giulio Cappellini (EW, February 2021), Pop Up cabs are fully customizable.
Interior Film
Hyundai L&C of George Town, Malaysia, offers Bodaq® Interior Film, a lightweight, self-adhesive, stretchable refinishing product intended for interior design and decoration. The company says it can be applied to any surface, whether flat or curved. It adds that, for elevator cabs, there is no need to remove or drill into panels or ceilings. The company adds that the product maintains a “perfect appearance” for at least 10 years. The refinishing material is also fire-retardant, and its only waste is the film backing paper.
thyssenkrupp Elevator Mid-Rise System
thyssenkrupp Elevator offers the meta200 for the Asia Pacific region. The elevator is designed to meet the evolving needs of mid-rise residential, commercial, retail and hospitality sectors. Billed as a premium system, it offers a maximum travel speed of 2.5 m/s and 1632 kg maximum capacity with a travel height up to 120 m. A range of designs, including etched patterns and highly durable finishes, is offered. Safety and security features, such as closed-circuit cameras, automatic rescue devices, three-way intercoms and special operations for earthquakes and fires, are included. An “advanced car design with a 360° vibration-reducing system and damping device” rounds out the system, the company said.
Holographic, Voice-Activated Panels and Stations
Toronto-based EEA Solutions Inc., which manufactures and does R&D in Shanghai, offers the HOLO LIFT, holographic, voice-activated elevator car operating panels and hall stations. Intended “to guarantee a safe, virus- and germ-free interaction and environment,” it uses holograms to project “virtual” buttons in the air. The user is not required to physically touch a button to place a call. Rather, it is placed by touching the appropriate “air button.” For those with physical or visual impairments, a voice-recognition feature allows — with a simple voice command (such as “fifth floor” or “going down”) — to register a call. HOLO LIFT has North American and international patents pending and is certified to:
- CSA B44.1-19/ASME A17.5-2019
- CSA 62368-1
- ANSI/UL 62368-1
Antimicrobial Paint
U.K.-based paint company Hanford+Green has announced its Microsafe water-based antimicrobial paint as “proven to reduce SARS-COV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) on painted surfaces.” Adding to its existing antibacterial, properties, the new feature inhibits bacteria from growing, producing energy or replicating. Then, they die. The paint may be applied to walls and surfaces, where its silver ions wreak havoc on the virus.
The company adds that, unlike “air-purifying” paint, which is activated by sunlight and does not work inside without applying UV light, Microsafe is effective regardless of where it is used. It also does not degrade like photo-activated antimicrobial paint coatings. The paint does not use solvents or oils that cause fumes or slow drying. It can be recoated in less than 1 h and is available in “high-performance” paint finishes the company offers: matte, low-sheen, satin and gloss.
Gateway
Gateway by TGD/LU-VE Group applies the Internet of Things technology to lift car mirrors, transforming them into video devices (Italian Patent No. 102017000031537, 22 March 2017 – European patent pending). Its potential uses include:
- Digital signage and communication: a channel of communication with users (remotely managed in real time)
- Emergency/alarm support: bidirectional audio/visual communication device with 24-hour servicing (invisible micro webcam included)
- Maintenance support: direct video/audio connection between headquarters and maintenance personnel on site, connecting the lift car to a remote computer (touchscreen option).
Gateway provides architects and designers an opportunity to create luxury lift cars, as well as another way to sell advertising. The structure is light, slim and elegant with a negligible impact on rated load and lift car area (max thickness 40 mm).
Gateway is a tailor-made product, easily adaptable to new cars or modernization. The special aluminium profile supports the whole structure (mirror and digital display) and provides the (hidden) fixing point to the wall of the car.
The mirror glass is tempered according to EN 12150 and ANSI Z97.1 (tensile strength 150N/mm2). It has a mirror-like effect when the screen is turned off. It is also possible to customize the mirror serigraphy (screen printing).
The system integrates a professional display, specially designed to operate 24 hours a day with high brightness efficiency (Full HD – 1920 x 1080 resolution).
Displays dimensions and orientation:
- Standard options: 42”, 49” & 55” (other options available)
- Horizontal or vertical
The Gateway can be connected to a local network by LAN or WiFi and then have access to the internet to become a real interface that displays an infinite variety of contents. It can be managed on three different levels:
- Entry level: basic software with customizable templates, connected to a remote computer
- Pro level: further content layout and connection to RSS feed; can manage a group of displays/cars logged on the same network, from a single computer
- Advanced level: all previous features, plus the possibility to manage a network of displays/cars connected to different local remote networks, all managed from a central office.
To learn more, visit http://gateway.luve.it/ or
www.luvegroup.com/components/.
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