INSIGHT 2|2019

TRACKING THE FUTURE +80% efficiency of elevators thanks to the introduction of gearless traction Special focus on elevators None of these developments would have been achievable without elevators, which have been making higher buildings possible for some 170 years. Initially, elevators were basic hydraulic machines that allowed people to avoid stairs, but today’s offerings are elaborate mobility systems enabling an ongoing, safe flow of people and goods in increasingly tall buildings. Introducing sensors and connectivity enable easier and safer maintenance, diagnostics and repairs. Other advances are making elevators more compact and energy efficient. The introduction of gearless traction can make elevators up to 80% more energy efficient, compared with hydraulic technology. Advanced systems can recover and regenerate energy while housing machinery directly in the elevator shaft itself, meaning separate machine rooms may become obsolete, freeing up precious space for occupancy. Cities competing to have the tallest skyscrapers are also driving the need for faster elevators that can travel greater distances. The Shanghai Tower has three elevator-related Guinness World Records: world’s fastest, tallest in a building, and fastest double- deck elevator, moving 20 metres per second. The 530-metre Guangzhou CTF Tower’s elevator travels 95 floors in just 45 seconds. The Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia — set to become the tallest building in the world — uses ultra-lightweight carbon-fibre hoist belts to lengthen the distances that can be travelled. Draka Elevator Products, part of Prysmian Group, has been making elevator travelling cables for over 65 years and supplying complete solutions of wireway, hoist ropes, hoist belts, cables and components for over 35. Our specially-engineered cables are deployed in many of the world’s tallest and most notable structures. Projects include New York’s One World Trade Center and Hudson Yards; London’s The Shard; The Oriental Pearl Television Tower in Shanghai and the world’s tallest building to date, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. A WIDE RANGE OF CABLE SOLUTIONS 27