E2 Forum Successfully Restarted, Part Two

Contents Before the Congress

Under the motto “Elevate your Knowledge,” the E2 Forum Frankfurt was held in Frankfurt, Germany, on September 21-22, 2022, and offered 48 presentations, extensive pre-conference coverage, an exhibition and a conference dinner, providing both the technical and social in its program. 

In the first part of this report [E2 Forum Returns – Part 1], presentations from the congress’ first day were covered, along with an interview with Roberto Zappa from the European Lift Association (ELA), a report on the accompanying exhibition and some impressions about the ambience of the E2 Forum. 

In this second part, presentations from the second day will be included, along with an interview with Martin Schmitt from VDMA, the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association, Trade Association Lifts and Escalators, as well as reports on the two e2 conference prologues in July and September. 

Second Day Presentations: First Series

The first session in this series was dealing with various aspects of sustainability. The day started with the presentation “LEED – Trend in sustainability certification for buildings” by Arwid Theuer-Kock from 1plus Consult. His conclusion was that certifications – not only LEED – are executed more often these days. Generally, more certifications are made for office buildings than for residential buildings, as they are important to attract employees but expensive.  

Annika Jamal El-Din from Schindler Deutschland presented next with “Green Service: How to sustainably reduce the carbon footprint of elevator operations.” Today, the financial world, customers and society expect companies to become more sustainable. Therefore, Schindler has stated in a general commitment that it will make contributions to sustainability in the areas of product design, building planning, installation, servicing and modernization of elevators. To this end, the entire life cycle will be optimized by taking a critical look at everything concerning environmental and climate friendliness from the manufacturing of the necessary maintenance materials going over the performance of the elevator until its disposal. Suppliers and service providers are included in this process. A calculation has shown that by switching from on-site service to remote service alone (Schindler Green Service), emissions are reduced from 73.36 to 0.36 kg CO2 eq, i.e., by 99.5%, with the largest share resulting from the use of energy sources. Schindler Green Service includes the use of renewable energies, the commitment to the use of electric vehicles, digital services including invoice dispatch and the ESG commitment with an annual report. 

The contribution to sustainability of components was addressed in three presentations:

• “Destination controls in public buildings – acceptance and approaches for new control systems,” Lars Kollmorgen, Kollmorgen Steuerungstechnik 

• “Sustainable and resource-saving modernization of old elevator doors,” Ricardo Dyroff, Meiller Aufzugstüren 

• “Sustainability of elevator ropes,” Michael Siegfried, Brugg Lifting

In this context, Berhard Lenk from Sensotek presented a rather unknown technology in elevator and escalator construction: “Radar technology in a smart city environment.” Distances, angles and sectors are detected with radar sensors. Radar is already used, for example, in doors/gates, for traffic control and in lighting concepts for shop windows. Inside buildings, his company supplies a solution for escalators and moving walks for their on-demand activation for comfort and energy efficiency. An intelligent radar detects the movement and speed of people and vehicles and their direction but also cross traffic to understand what is happening. Specifically, in the case of escalators/moving walks, this ensures that the minimum speed according to the standard is reached in good time. Radar technology provides a counting function for predictive servicing and function indicators for easy set-up. In elevators, for example, people can be counted for car occupancy via radar sensor. Priority control by means of identification and authentication is also possible. 

A panel discussion titled “Requirements from the customer’s point of view” began after the coffee break. The topic is covered in detail in the “Prologue 2” sidebar. At the conference, Ms. Schroven was replaced by Mark Dörflinger and Dominik Ammelung from K. Dörflinger Gesellschaft für Elektroplanung. 

Tilman Häuser from Dekra Digital presented “Aiming high with data – making intelligent decisions with elevator data.” Elevators generate a lot of data, one-time data such as travel speed or vibrations and continuous data such as frequency of use or conciseness. The data allow conclusions to be drawn about the condition of components and the elevator system. They can be monitored permanently and measured point by point. His company offers an in-app solution for spot monitoring and a retrofittable, non-invasive IoT solution for 24/7 monitoring. As an example, Häuser demonstrated how usage patterns and working load can be captured. Comparing the measured elevators of a group clearly indicates technical deficiencies that potentially lead to failures. 

Second Day Presentations: Second Series

In the parallel series, nine presentations were given, mostly by exhibitors:

• “Maintenance monitoring and predictive maintenance of escalators – Paris metro approach,” Sébastien Laurent, Damien Leschevin de Prévoisin – RATP Group
• “The new normal – Sustainable technology for better hygiene in elevators and escalators,” Tanja Zirnstein, UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions 
• “Machine learning is written in Phyton – Artificial intelligence in PowerPoint,” Tim Ebeling, Henning
• “The frequency converter as a sensor,” Michael Müller, Danfoss Drives 
• “From partial automation to full automation,” Boris Marjancevic, SICOR 
• “Digitalization in elevator emergency call – worldwide IP projects,” Martin Reichl, UNS
• “Insights from building a remote monitoring & diagnostics (RM&D) environment for elevators, experiences from the perspective of users and solution providers in Singapore,” Jonas Strahberger, TÜV SÜD 
• “Functional safety in elevators,” Stefan Löbig, TÜV-Verband 
• “Safe working alone on elevators,” Bodo Adamus, Bosch Service Solutions 

Wrap-up 

Before the closing lunch, participants, speakers and exhibitors came together once again in a plenary session. Zackes Brustik from zackes.com, one of two presentation moderators over the two days, drew a first conclusion of the revived E2 Forum 2022. Even “dry” topics such as standards were well attended. All topics relevant to elevators and escalators were addressed. The keyword AI was mentioned in every second presentation. As an aside, it was noted on another occasion that Asia was on its way: “But so are we,” said Brustik. Just as a coffee machine today already offers the most popular four types of coffee, an elevator shows the four most popular floors. “There’s still a lot of room to go,” he said. On a very personal note, Zackes noted that his involvement at the E2 Forum has significantly changed his perception of elevators: “I don’t just ride elevators anymore. I ride Otis or Schindler….” He sent the participants off with reference to the next opportunity to participate on 1-2 October 2024.

Interview with Martin Schmitt, VDMA

Martin Schmitt (MAS), Chairman of the Board of VDMA, the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association, Trade Association Lifts and Escalators, who opened the E2 Forum Frankfurt as the sponsor of the congress, spoke with your author (USB).

USB: How were and are the VDMA and you personally involved in the E2 Forum?

MAS: We were actively preparing the event for over a year and a half. In 2021, there was already a first try after COVID-19, but unfortunately, it had to be canceled. We then talked intensively with the trade fair and all those involved. Everyone agreed there would be another attempt, considering all the things we learned before and after COVID-19. I am all the happier to be here today with around 40 exhibitors and 350 listeners for the congress with accompanying exhibition. We have obviously successfully implemented all the new findings. 

USB: What are the innovations?

MAS: The overall spectrum of content was expanded. The expert presentations were and are an extensive and essential part of the E2 Forum in terms of content. We have taken care of contemporary topics and attractive speakers. The exhibitor concept was also developed together with the exhibitors. And we deliberately decided against a hybrid event. We want to shake 350 hands. We are looking for close contacts, personal discussions. 

USB: What is the VDMA’s position on the E2 Forum?

MAS: We feel to be the initiator of the event. For us, the trade fair is a professional operator of the premises and implementer of our ideas. Although someone else invented the E2 Forum, we brought it to Germany. And from here, it broadcasts into the whole world via two further e2 satellites. 

USB: A few words on the state of the elevator and escalator industry, please…

MAS: COVID-19, Ukraine, energy – buzzwords that have put the world into the crisis mode. The elevator industry has been hit by this in a similar way to other industries. Fortunately, we even have a little more time than others to respond to the issues resulting from the crises. We are directly downstream of the construction industry; the elevator is ordered before the concrete ground slab of the new building is cast. It should be erected when the kitchen is installed. That’s why we have a large backlog of orders. And extended thinking has never hurt… 

USB: On the other hand, how are delivery times evolving in the industry?

MAS: The supply chains are individually very different. We use a mix of global and local components in our products. 

USB: Dare to look ahead?

MAS: The energy crisis and all other such crises will have an impact on the construction industry. At the same time, however, there is such a high demand for new elevators on the market, also for existing buildings, plus the constant demand for the operation of existing installations, that I am cautiously optimistic. 

Prologue 1: Elevator Operation and Maintenance: Opportunities of Predictive Maintenance

The first online prologue, “Elevator Operation and Maintenance: Opportunities of predictive maintenance,” took place on July 19, 2022. Approximately 60 participants came together in the early morning for the online panel at the invitation of the organizer Building Technology Experts of Messe Frankfurt and the event platform of the real estate and construction industry, BUILTWORLD. Wolfgang Moderegger from Builtworld moderated the panel:

•  Holger Kutzner, Operations Engineer Elevator and Access Systems, Fraport 
•  Annika Jamal El-Din, Function, Business Line Manager, Schindler
•  Martin Hauk, Henning 

Moderegger’s opening question was, “What data is collected and how?” Participants generally found control information important. However, elevator manufacturers are generally reluctant to provide it, so workarounds often have to be created. There is a big difference between old and new installations. Today, a tender specifies exactly what data are needed and how they will be exchanged. But not all customers know exactly what they want. 

Hauk presented Henning’s sensor-based measuring system for condition monitoring. Approximately 700 systems have already been connected; a 5-digit large order is in progress. He estimated the costs at €400 to €1,500 per unit plus connection costs of €160 per year and connection. Movement profiles, driving quality and accelerations are recorded. The data evaluated in the box are stored in Henning’s own cloud. The device records measured values over time so that fundamental changes can be used as indicators. Algorithms then use these data to search for specific problems.

As an example of a result, he cited the message: “Rail joint detected” combined with the request: “Check whether the rails are still aligned correctly!” Ride quality can only be detected with sensor technology. Ropes are also main targets, e.g., whether they have been installed twisted. Control data are not sufficient for this in some cases. Overall, reaction time is shortened. The percentage of prevented problems is unknown. Checking service is also already possible, whether and in what quality it was carried out. 

Jamal el-Din emphasized that the control data of their own products are sufficient. However, they also have such boxes as from Henning and other technology operating with third-party products. Other suppliers are on the market. Schindler prefers to offer its customers services instead of just delivering data including the cloud. 

She confirms, the problem also already mentioned by Mr. Hauk, that doors are the most frequent issue coming up. Schindler measures door open and door close, length of opening and closing times, and current consumption. Vandalism cannot be detected predictively, only the deviation itself such as “door opens differently”. The service technician then receives the information that something may be wrong with the door. After the intervention, he reports back what the problem really was. 

Overall, monitoring shortens the time to allocate the failure, and the technician is often sent beforehand. The percentage of prevented failures is also unknown to her. As an additional aspect, she mentions decreasing costs, because the technician does not have to go there regularly, his presence is reduced to three times a year. Doors, cabin light, emergency call, etc. are no longer a reason for a visit due to monitoring. 

Kutzner, on the other hand, finds the control data sufficient. He has not had any good experience with boxes so far and has even taken them out again immediately in some cases. The reason he gave was that sensors also caused systems to shut down, even though they could have continued to run without any danger. Sensor technology already brought along is possibly better. Large operators have maintenance systems, individual operators have not, which means that sensors will become more important there. He does not need a cloud, also because his systems are all located on one site and are networked with each other. He also confirms that 90% of failures occur at doors. As an example, he mentions a change in current consumption of the door motor, which tells him 50% of door malfunctions. Technicians are not dispatched until the system reports door failure, actually too late for predictive maintenance. He does not have any data for predictive maintenance. He also considers quality control of service to be possible, e.g., whether the rail has been cleaned, but he does not do this in his company. 

The question came from the audience about how the data collected from quite differing elevator systems (age, manufacturer) are compared with each other in order to be able to do predictive maintenance? Hauk currently only collects data from individual systems. When the data stock is larger, individual evaluation down to the component level is planned. Jamal el-Din collects control data from other manufacturers or retrofits sensor technology to identify typical occurrences. Kutzner notes that all systems, even from the same manufacturer with the same components, run differently (variance 5-7%), which is due to structural differences.

Prologue 2: Requirements from the Customer’s Point of View: IoT and Data Platforms

At the second online prologue to the E2 Forum, “Requirements from the customer’s point of view: IoT and data platforms” on September 18, 2022, the focus was on the increasing requirements of operators for the interaction of elevators resp. escalators with their overall processes, such as integration into facility management. You can check out the full discussion here: https://www.builtworld.com/event/aufzugstechnik-anforderungen-iot-datenplattformen 

The invitation of the organizer Building Technology Experts of Messe Frankfurt and the event platform of the real estate and construction industry, BUILTWORLD, was accepted by more than 110 listeners, who had the opportunity to ask questions in the chat. Jonas Haberkorn from Builtworld moderated questions and the answers of the discussion participants, who were:

•  Karl Heinz Belser, President of BACnet
•  Philipp Brüßler, CTO at K-Solutions
•  Elena Schroven, Head of Business Development & IoT at Vonovia
•  Matthias Trautner, Head of the Global Competence Center Monitoring Services at Bosch Service Solutions.

Currently stirring topics: Vonovia, with more than 3,500 elevators, is continuing to develop a solution with its own team to control its elevators remotely. Bosch has been developing a solution for elevator monitoring for 3-4 years, if required without connection to building automation. K-Solutions is developing common interfaces for smart cities to save costs and skilled labor. BACnet continues to develop interfaces for applications, e.g., to enable a connection between elevator and fire alarm system. 

Modernization by means of digital retrofits: Vonovia has launched digital retrofits (overarching digital solutions that can be installed retrospectively) for its entire portfolio. The most important information is whether the elevator is running – or not, in order to trigger a repair if necessary. Currently, information on how the elevator is running is still a secondary consideration. Bosch assumes that digital retrofit will come on strongly as an important part of modernization to make elevator systems fit for the future. K-Solutions also integrates elevator components via CANopen. A door controller, for example, knows whether the elevator is working. With the digital retrofit, there is no need to rebuild the elevator for elevator control, but data can still be transmitted to other users.

Data sovereignty: The discussants agreed that the data belong to the operator resp. owner of the elevator, even though there are no legal demands for this yet. Control data are shared with manufacturers. For the elevator – as for all building services systems – the data must be protected from hackers. As an extension, BACnet provides “Secure Connect,” a protected protocol for which the first products have been certified. 

Open versus proprietary standards: All speakers advocate open systems. K-Solutions, like Vonovia and Bosch, has its own platform and cloud to which other vendor platforms and clouds can be connected via API interfaces. The mass of customers is too small to develop their own interfaces. The definition of a minimum data volume is being discussed across Europe.

Predictive maintenance: Everyone is “close” to detecting anomalies completely, but their interpretation is still adaptive. After that, repairs must be recorded – currently mostly by hand. Currently, manufacturers are integrated into operator data to match and complement both data sets. The big next step is validation to raise the probabilities of correct failure detection and interpretation well above 80%. 

Data-based business models and future technical applications: Vonovia reports that they are learning from elevators for the use for heating, for example, to detect leaks and monitor gas consumption. They want to supply the elevator with electricity using PV. 

Bosch is increasingly integrating other crafts to increase building and elevator safety and comfort, as well as transparency for operators, and reduce outages. Contributions would be 3-4% higher energy efficiency, multilingual communication, information exchange in the elevator, advance information for wheelchair users, digital versions of the building including data transfer, connection of parking garage and elevator floor control, digital safety functions and digital elevator attendant.

BACnet can be used to connect buildings to the cloud. In Manhattan, NY, employees spend a month of their lives waiting in front of elevators. An improvement can be achieved by optimizing the approach with appropriate control technology and speeding up, as well as by linking the location of the workplace in the building with the elevator. Also important are a digital twin of buildings, broad energy recovery including energy monitoring and retrofitting of sensor technology to obtain more data. The aim of digitalization is to reduce service and running costs for elevators.

K-Solutions points out that digitalization and connectivity of a system cost money. Therefore, an obvious benefit, e.g., emergency call, must be offered to make the solutions more attractive. The future brings control via app, i.e., the buttonless elevator, connection to robotic systems, energy monitoring and optimization, as well as remote servicing of the system, to save trips and be able to plan them better.