Spotlight on Technology: How do you ensure elevator ride quality?

Photo Credit: Physical Measurement Technologies, Inc. 

In our role as consultants for the vertical transportation industry Dunbar and Boardman have overseen many elevator and escalator installations around the world and here in the UK. Once a new vertical transportation system has been installed we are quick to assess the ride quality of all lifts and escalators. This we do by using EVA Vibration Analysis Tools software.

What is the EVA Vibration Analysis Tools software?

The EVA system is the creation of an American company based in Malborough, New Hampshire called Physical Measurement Technologies, Inc. Their product, the EVA-625 Elevator Vibration Analysis system has become the industry standard for the measurement of ride quality, vibration and sound in elevators and escalators. It is used in over 70 countries.

How does it work?

Place the EVA 625 on the floor of the elevator, turn the machine on, press the record button and then take a ride. The system will automatically store the data and will give you readings for ride quality, vibration and sound. Individual components can also be tested via the system. This means that technicians and engineers can take corrective action to resolve problems with ride quality, vibration and sound. In general terms, the quality of installation and service can be improved dramatically.

The EVA System in the UK

In the UK and across Europe one company is responsible for the sale and support for the EVA system. That company is called Eurogears. Eurogears are based in Rochester in the county of Kent. Eurogears Ltd was founded in 1990 & provide on-site engineering, power transmission & mechanical engineering services in addition to  being the European distribution partner for Physical Measurement Technologies, Inc.

Dunbar and Boardman keep a watching brief on technological advances within the vertical transportation industry to better serve our clients. Dunbar and Boardman is the lift, escalator and access equipment consultancy. Do you need help ensuring ride quality for your vertical or horizontal transportation system? We would be happy to discuss any such requirements and how we may be able to assist. Give us a call on T +44 (0) 20 7739 5093 or send us an email via peterboardman@dunbarboardman.com to start the conversation. We look forward to hearing from you. 

Spotlight on Innovation: What is Lightspeed Technology?

In August Peter and Vance travelled to Amsterdam to meet with a company that has patented a Lightspeed Technology system. The system works by sending light through a fibreglass cable. This cable functions as an optical conductor. A light is received at the end of the cable and is compared to the signal that was originally transmitted. From this point, deformation or bending of the cable will be detected by the transmitter / receiver module and several actions can be programmed into the software. The company behind Lightspeed technology are called Lightspeed Lift Solutions.

What are the benefits of Lightspeed Technology?

Anti- trapping safety for lift doors

The system can detect whether an obstacle has come into space occupied by the lift door and doorframe. This could be a lift passenger’s hand, for example.  Depending on how the system has been set up the lift could immediately stop or open slowly. This is a great additional safety feature for a company’s vertical transportation.

Lift Cabin Detection

When the Lightspeed system is incorporated into the floor of the lift car it can recognise whether there is someone inside the lift and how much of the floor space is remaining. This has great potential in hospitals where it as been applied to the vertical transportation of hospital beds. There is also potential for this feature in high rise buildings and supermarkets.

Call System

With the LightSpeed optical detection system integrated into the floor you do not even need to manually push a button to call a lift. The system reacts when someone stands on the tile. Once again a number of next actions can be set up from that point. This has great benefits when used in care homes or hospitals but also in shopping centres, industrial environments and for car lifts.

Call System Vandal Proof

Lightspeed have a CS2 Call system that is operated via a RVS touch pad.  The touchpad can be used to call the lift. Even if vandals manage to damage the touch pad it will still function.   

Lift Shaft Detection

Part of the Lightspeed system can be incorporated in a rubber mat or applied to the floor to secure the cabin roof and lift pit. In practical terms this means that if a person is on top of lift - ‘lift surfing’ they will be detected by the system. Once again a number of desired next steps can be incorporated into the system to enhance safety.  This is a great feature to have at your disposal during maintenance and inspections.

Dunbar and Boardman keep a watching brief on technological advances within the vertical transportation industry to better serve our clients. Dunbar and Boardman is the lift, escalator and access equipment consultancy. Do you have a current or planned project that would benefit from using Lightspeed Technology? We would be happy to discuss any such requirements and how we may be able to assist. Give us a call on T +44 (0) 20 7739 5093 or send us an email via peterboardman@dunbarboardman.com to start the conversation. We look forward to hearing from you.

To find out more about Lightspeed Technology visit the website of Lightspeed Lift Solutions.

How did the Schindler Group become so successful?

 

Today the Schindler Group is one of the top four elevator manufacturers in the world, has over 50,000 employees in over 100 countries. Schindler manufactures, installs and services elevators and escalators. Schindler elevators and escalators move 1 billion people every day but it wasn’t always this way. How did the company get started?

In 1874, twenty years after Elisha Otis was demonstrating his elevator brake at the New York World’s Fair two Swiss gentleman, Robert Schindler and Eduard Villiger founded a general partnership company in Lucerne, Switzerland. The company was called Schindler and Villiger and the company opened a mechanical workshop on an island in the Reuss River in Lucerne, Switzerland. The workshop produced lifting equipment and other machinery.

Few details of the early lives of Schindler and Villiger are known. The Swiss reputation for privacy is well earned. Once the company was established Schindler and Villiger wasted no time in building the business and increasing its scope of activities.

Key Schindler Dates:

 

1878: The first Factory regulations include a 63 ½ hour week, a 14 day notice period, and accident insurance.

1883 Moved to the newly built 300 m^2 plant at Sentimattstrasse in Lucerne. The products are laundry equipment and water driven elevators

1890: Delivery of first Hydraulic freight elevator.

1892: Eduard Villiger leaves the partnership. The company continues under the name of Robert Schindler Machinery Manufacturer. / The first electric elevator with belt drive is built. Schindler's most important customers during its first years were large hotels and production plants, first in Lucerne and later throughout Switzerland.

1894: Introduction of the 59-hour week.

1895: The factory is extended and an iron foundry is added.

1899: Schindler elevators were equipped with worm gears and controlled by a pull rope.

1901: Robert Schindler sold the business to his brother Alfred Schindler, who became the new sole proprietor and changed the firm's name accordingly.

1902: The first electric passenger elevator with automatic push button control is delivered. 

1906:  A new business partner, Fritz Geilfuss, joined the company and it became a partnership, Schindler & Cie.

1906: Schindler opens its first subsidiary in Berlin.

1907: Agency in Lausanne established.

1908: Schindler builds houses for 50 Schindler workers in Littau. Agencies in Zurich and Basel established.

1909: Delivery of first multi speed electric elevator, driven by an Oerlikon two speed motor.  Schindler and Houplin is founded in France.

1910: The first elevator with a single-phase commutator motor is delivered. Agencies in Bern and Argentina established.

1911: – Agencies in Turkey, Algeria, Russia and Italy established.

Why were Schindler successful when many others failed? As this timeline demonstrates international expansion and product innovation laid the foundations for the future success of Schindler. After 1911 Schindler expanded into more European countries and by 1931 had even reached China. In the late 1960s expansion through corporate acquisitions became the preferred strategy and many smaller companies were acquired around the world. This proved to be a very successful strategy that explains their presence in over 100 countries today. 

Dunbar and Boardman is the lift, escalator and access equipment consultancy. Do you have a current or planned project that includes elevators? We would be happy to discuss any such requirements and how we may be able to assist. Give us a call on T +44 (0) 20 7739 5093 or send us an email via peterboardman@dunbarboardman.com to start the conversation. We look forward to hearing from you.

Spotlight on: Ireland

(Central Bank of Ireland, Dublin)

Dunbar & Boardman first opened our Irish chapter in the 1990s. Our first project was to advise on the BUPA Hospital that became Blackrock Clinic. This resulted in a longstanding relationship over 20 years during which we replaced lift installations throughout and completed extensive renovation and extension works. We also carried out an escalator replacement at St. Stephens Green shopping centre during the 1990s. Initially we were based in small offices in Dublin but we are now well established at the Capel Building after moving there in 2001 We are proud of the working relationships we have established with Primark/Pennys, Dundrum Shopping Centre, the Health and Safety Authority, Dublin City Council, Irish Rail, St James Hospital, Jones Lang LaSalle, Cadbury and the DAA to name but a few. 

Listed below are a few of the projects that we have completed in Ireland:

   

   * Chartered Land - Preparation of tender & specification including site management for installation of a new passenger lift in one of the units in Dundrum Town Centre. Tendering of the vertical transportation maintenance contract for the complete Dundrum TC complex & ongoing technical support.

·   * Douglas Newman Good Commercial - Tendering & site management for modernisation of two passenger lifts in the City Square SC, Waterford. 

* University of Ulster – preparation of maintenance tender & specification including participation in evaluation process. 

   

     * Belfast City Council - Tender & site management for complete replacement of passenger lift in City Hall, Belfast

·    * Dublin Airport Authority – Lift Traction System Re-Engineering of two lifts in T2 car-park & technical specification to install two additional passenger lifts. 

    * Brown Thomas group - Preparation of tender & specification with site management for complete replacement of staff passenger lift & modernisation of the goods/passenger lift in their Grafton Street store.

     * St James Hospital, Dublin 8 - Tender & site management for complete replacement of eight bed/passenger lifts as part of a capital expenditure programme over a number of years.

Do you have a current or planned project in Ireland? We would be happy to discuss any such requirements and how we may be able to assist. Our local team comprises of Dave Neil, Simon Lancaster and Ruth Kyne. Please contact us via  Vance Cunningham to start the conversation. We look forward to hearing from you.