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tec.News 17: Kaleidoscope
Tomas Ledvina & Jakub Vincalek
Special Application –
Construction
Automatic control of special-purpose elevators in a very demanding application
Elevator performance, reliability and safety standards are not only important in the passenger elevator market.
Special-purpose hoists including freight and construction site elevators have to meet the same demanding
requirements despite the fact that they operate under more difficult conditions. HARTING solutions provide support
at critical points in the automation systems.
Today’s elevator automation systems deliver an impressive
range of functionality that is being exploited to an increasing
extent in special-purpose elevator applications. Construction
site elevators have their own requirements profiles which
must be factored in when expertise from passenger elevator
systems is transferred to the industrial market. Construction
projects have become so complex that the conventional
approach, which was used in the past for construction site
elevators, is no longer a viable option. The days are gone
when an elevator operator moved a platform to the floor
where a bricklayer indicated he needed mortar by tying
a rag to the hoisting rope and where the operator had to
bring the platform to a stop. To keep the work moving ahead
smoothly, construction site elevators not only have to meet
the same standards as passenger elevators. They also have to
be designed for the specific operating environment on site.
Special-purpose elevators have to meet very demanding
requirements. Particularly the need for mobile, flexible
systems which are installed outdoors highlights the
magnitude of the task. Special-purpose elevators are
normally deployed out in the open with no protection from
the elements. Changing weather conditions, fluctuating
temperatures, fast installation and removal along with
connectivity and control equipment that is built to take the
punishment, and is easily accessible during service calls and
has good maintainability features define the requirements
profile. Construction site elevators are used to transport
passengers and material. The specific conditions on site and
the user specifications are also part of the equation.
Special-purpose elevators have to be designed to operate
under these conditions and offer features that go beyond
standard solutions. They must be adaptable to the height of
today’s buildings.
Mobility is a must
Mobility is a must, as the elevators are repeatedly erected
and taken down again for removal to other sites. They must
still be safe and dependable, and this places significant
demands on the control system. Not very long ago human
operators were considered to be the best option. It was
not until recently that automation and control systems
were introduced which were capable of delivering the
performance and features that are needed for specialpurpose
elevator applications and which could be deployed
72 harting tec.News 17 (2009)