TOPIC 4.

0 Mechanical Conveyors

Mechanical Conveyor is a common piece of mechanical handling equipment that moves materials from one
location to another. Conveyors are especially useful in applications involving the transportation of heavy or
bulky materials. Conveyor systems allow quick and efficient transportation for a wide variety of materials,
which make them very popular in the material handling and packaging industries.

Transportation systems form integral building blocks for a modern society. Efficient and safe movement of
people and goods ensures a thriving economy and provides for an improved quality of life. Because
transportation systems are interrelated with many other activities, the challenges of creating and managing
transportation systems must be addressed in an interdisciplinary manner.

4.1.1 Types of conveyors

There are two types transportation in high-rise building; it’s vertical and horizontal movement. Vertical and
horizontal transportation means that transportation that is used to transport people and goods from one
level to another for example vertical, and one point to another same level point such as horizontal. The used
of this transportation will save time and energy of human being in our everyday life.

4.1.2 Related the conveyor with escalator and elevator system

Other than that, it is also useful and convenient especially to elderly and people who are lugged down by
their shopping load or luggage. This type of transportations can be found in various office buildings,
shopping complexes, airport terminal, and many more. There are various types of vertical and horizontal
transportations, some may only serve the purpose of transporting, and others are installed as part of the
aesthetic value, for example in exhibition halls, zoos, museum, and many more.

For vertical transportation consists of elevator and escalator, while for horizontal is travelator or walkway.
This transportation is a slow moving conveyor mechanism that transports people, across a horizontal or
inclined plane, over a short distance.

Escalator Elevator
An escalator is a moving staircase Is a vertical transport equipment
A conveyor transport device for carrying that efficiently moves people or goods between
people between floor of a building floors(level, deck) of a building, vessel or other
structures
The device consists of a motor driven chain of Generally powered by electric motors that either
individual, linked steps that move up or down drive cables or counterweight system like a hoist,
on tracks, allowing the step treads to remain or pump hydraulic fluid to raise a cylindrical piston
horizontal like a jack
Escalator are used to move pedestrian traffic
in places where elevator would be
impractical. Principles areas of usage include
department stores, shopping malls, airports,
transit system, convention centres, hotels,
arenas, stadiums and public buildings.
4.1.3 Basic principles of motor rooms

Figure 4.1 : Drive system of conveyor

4.2 Escalator

An escalator is a moving staircase a conveyor transport device for carrying people between floors of a
building. The device consists of a motor-driven chain of individual, linked steps that move up or down on
tracks, allowing the step treads to remain horizontal. Escalators are used around the world to move
pedestrian traffic in places where elevators would be impractical. Principal areas of usage include
department stores, shopping malls, airports, transit systems, convention centers, hotels, arenas, stadiums
and public buildings.

There are the advantages and disadvantages when use this transportation, it’s:
i. The advantages
a. Have the capacity to transport large number of people at shorter time.
b. Faster mode of transportation for short vertical distances.
c. Can be placed/substituted as normal staircase even during malfunction. d. No waiting internal
except during heavy traffic.
e. May be weather – proved for outdoor use.
f. Power – driven, continuously moving staircase.
g. Moves at a constant speed at approximately 0.3-0.6m per second with a standard rise up to about
18m.

ii. The Disadvantages

a. Only convenient for short vertical distance, better to use lifts for lengthier vertical distance
b. Takes up space to install
c. Higher risk of injuries
4.2.1 Types of escalator

Escalators have three typical configuration options

i. Parallel (up and down escalators side by side or separated by a distance)
ii. Crisscross (minimizes space requirements by "stacking" escalators that go in one direction)
iii. Multiple parallel (two or more escalators together that travel in one direction next to one or two
escalators)
iv. Spiral (develop more comfortable public environments for humankind and a pioneering technology)

Figure 4.2: Parallel escalator Figure 4.3: Multiple parallel escalator

Figure 4.4: Spiral escalator Figure 4.5: Crisscross escalator

4.2.2 Design principles of escalator

Escalators, like moving walkways, are often powered by constant-speed alternating current
motors and move at approximately 0.3 - 0.6 m per second. The typical angle of inclination of an
escalator to the horizontal floor level is 30 degrees with a standard rise[clarification needed] up
to about 18 m. Modern escalators have single-piece aluminum or stainless steel steps that move
on a system of tracks in a continuous loop.

The direction of escalator movement (up or down) can be permanently set, or be controlled
by personnel according to the predominant flow of the crowd, or be controlled automatically.
In some setups, direction is controlled automatically by whoever arrives first, whether at the
bottom or at the top (the system is programmed so that the direction is not reversed while a
passenger is on the escalator). A number of factors affect escalator design, including:

i. Physical requirements
Physical factors like the vertical and horizontal distance to be spanned must be
considered. These factors will determine the pitch of the escalator and its actual
length. The ability of the building infrastructure to support the heavy components
is also a critical physical concern.
 ii. Location
Location is important because escalators should be situated where they can be easily
seen by the general public. In department stores, customers should be able to view
the merchandise easily.

iii. Traffic patterns

Up and down escalator traffic should be physically separated and should not lead into
confined spaces. Traffic patterns must also be anticipated in escalator design. In
some buildings, the objective is simply to move people from one floor to another, but
in others there may be a more specific requirement, such as funneling visitors
towards a main exit or exhibit. The number of passengers is important because
escalators are designed to carry a certain maximum number of people.

For example, a single-width escalator traveling at about 0.46 m per second can move
an estimated 170 persons per five minute period. The carrying capacity of an escalator
system must match the expected peak traffic demand, presuming that passengers ride
single file. This is crucial for applications in which there are sudden increases in the
number of riders. For example, escalators at stations must be designed to cater for the
peak traffic flow discharged from a train, without causing excessive bunching at the
escalator entrance

iv. Safety considerations

Escalators help in controlling traffic flow of people. For example, an escalator to an
exit effectively discourages most people from using it as an entrance, and may reduce
security concerns. Similarly, escalators often are used as the exit of airport security
checkpoints. Such an egress point would generally be staffed to prevent its use as an
entrance, as well. It is preferred that staircases be located adjacent to the
escalator if the escalator is the primary means of transport between floors. It may also
be necessary to provide an elevator lift adjacent to an escalator for wheelchairs and
disabled persons.

v. Aesthetic preferences
Consideration should be given to the aesthetics of the escalator. The architects and
designers can choose from a wide range of styles and colors for the handrails and
balustrades.

Escalator Component

Escalator is a stairway whose steps move continually on a circulating belt or simply they are the
moving stairs. An electrical services engineer should also know something about escalator. The
main component an escalator:

i. Landing platforms
These two platforms house the curved sections of the tracks, as well as the gears
and motors that drive the stairs. The top platform contains the motor assembly and
the main drive gear, while the bottom holds the step return idler sprockets. These
sections also anchor the ends of the escalator truss. In addition, the platforms contain
a floor plate and a comb plate. The floor plate provides a place for the passengers to
stand before they step onto the moving stairs.

This plate is flush with the finished floor and is either hinged or removable to allow
easy access to the machinery below. The comb plate is the piece between the
stationary floor plate and the moving step. It is so named because its edge has a series
 of cleats that resemble the teeth of a comb. These teeth mesh with matching cleats
on the edges of the steps. This design is necessary to minimize the gap between the
stair and the landing, which helps prevent objects from getting caught in the gap.

ii. Truss
The truss is a hollow metal structure that bridges the lower and upper landings. It is
composed of two side sections joined together with cross braces across the bottom
and just below the top. The ends of the truss are attached to the top and bottom
landing platforms via steel or concrete supports. The truss carries all the straight track
sections connecting the upper and lower sections.

iii. Tracks
The track system is built into the truss to guide the step chain, which continuously pulls
the steps from the bottom platform and back to the top in an endless loop. There are
actually two tracks: one for the front wheels of the steps (called the step-wheel track)
and one for the back wheels of the steps (called the trailer-wheel track). The relative
positions of these tracks cause the steps to form a staircase as they move out from
under the comb plate.

Along the straight section of the truss the tracks are at their maximum distance apart.
This configuration forces the back of one step to be at a 90-degree angle relative to
the step behind it. This right angle bends the steps into a shape resembling a staircase.
At the top and bottom of the escalator, the two tracks converge so that the front and
back wheels of the steps are almost in a straight line. This causes the stairs to lay in a
flat sheet like arrangement, one after another, so they can easily travel around the
bend in the curved section of track.

The tracks carry the steps down along the underside of the truss until they reach the
bottom landing, where they pass through another curved section of track before
exiting the bottom landing. At this point the tracks separate and the steps once again
assume a staircase configuration. This cycle is repeated continually as the steps are
pulled from bottom to top and back to the bottom again.

Figure 4.6: Escalator components

iv. Steps
The steps themselves are solid, one piece, die-cast aluminum or steel. Yellow
demarcation lines may be added to clearly indicate their edges. "step-type" escalators
featured flat treads and smooth risers; other escalator models have cleated treads
and smooth risers. The steps are linked by a continuous metal chain that forms a
closed loop. The front and back edges of the steps are each connected to two wheels.
The rear wheels are set further apart to fit into the back track and the front wheels
have shorter axles to fit into the narrower front track. As described above, the position
of the tracks controls the orientation of the steps.

v. Handrail
The handrail provides a convenient handhold for passengers while they are riding the
escalator. In an escalator, the handrail is pulled along its track by a chain that is
connected to the main drive gear by a series of pulleys. It is constructed of four distinct
sections. At the center of the handrail is a "slider", also known as a "glider
ply", which is a layer of a cotton or synthetic textile.

The purpose of the slider layer is to allow the handrail to move smoothly along its
track. The next layer, known as the "tension member", consists of either steel cable
or flat steel tape, and provides the handrail with tensile strength and flexibility. On
top of tension member are the inner construction components, which are made of
chemically treated rubber designed to prevent the layers from separating.

In the factory, handrails are constructed by feeding rubber through a computer-

controlled extrusion machine to produce layers of the required size and type in order
to match specific orders. The component layers of fabric, rubber, and steel are shaped
by skilled workers before being fed into the presses, where they are fused together.
4.3 Elevator

The elevator is a type of vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people or goods between floors
(levels, decks) of a building, vessel or other structures. Lift system installation requirements are based on
the needs of the use of a building. There are several types of lifts used. Refer table 6.3 below.

Elevators are generally powered by electric motors that either drive traction cables or counterweight
systems like a hoist, or pump hydraulic fluid to raise a cylindrical piston like a jack.

4.3.1 Types of elevator

The elevators can be broadly classified as either electric traction type or hydraulic type.

i. Traction elevators (Electric)

An elevator car and counterweight attached to opposite ends of hoist ropes. The hoist ropes pass
over a driving machine that raises and lowers the car. Traction elevators run on load-bearing rails in
the elevator hoist way. Traction elevators are most often used in mid-rise and high-rise buildings
with five or more floors. Virtually limitless rise (high and mid rise), it’s also found a gear and gearless
traction.

ii. Hydraulic elevators

Raised by forcing pressurized oil through a valve into a steel cylinder located above ground or
underground. The pressure forces a piston to rise, lifting the elevator platform and car enclosure
mounted on it. The car is lowered by opening the valve

and allowing the weight of the car to force oil from the cylinder in a controlled manner. When the
valve is closed the car is stopped. Since the weight of hydraulic elevator cars is borne by the piston,
there is no need for a structural framework or load-bearing rails. Hydraulic elevators are commonly
found in low-rise buildings with two to five floors or six stories. Lower speeds and cost in a higher
power consumption.
 Figure 4.7: Traction elevator

Figure 4.8 : Hydraulic elevator

 Table 4.1 : Types of elevator or lift

No Types of lift Diagram Description

1 Passenger lift It works using a lift cab for the passengers to access
and travel on, raising vertically between floors. It’s
rather than bespoke so follows a well-established
method of creating lifts and will suit a wide variety of
needs.

2 Hospital/bed lift This elevators are distinguished by wider doors and

larger platform sizes to allow faster, more secure of
people and equipment. Commonly used at hospital.

3 Panorama lift View of the artistic style and the surrounding sights in
riding the elevator. It usually has a glass door, or is
entirely made of glass, and can be situated either
inside or outside of buildings.

4 Goods lift Used for lifting & lowering of gifts and can carry up to
three tons of load at one go.

5 Good/passe nger Used for lifting & lowering options for either
lift passengers or goods

6 Service lift Commonly used at hotels, restaurants and other food

service to make sure the food gets to the customer
piping hot and without getting dropped on the stairs.
No Types of lift Diagram Description

7 Residential lift Residential homes almost exclusively for disabled

individuals who need a lift to easily reach upper floors
of their home, helping them retain their
independence and carry on living in their own home

8 Bespoke lift Owners can design according to their own

preferences for use at home or shopping mall.

9 Platform lift This lift type will be alongside an existing, short

internal staircase or external steps, to allow access to
the building with a wheelchair, or by people who have
difficulty using steps.

10 Car lift Usually used in parking garages and car repair. Lift is
built in accordance with the maximum size and weight
of the car.

11 Stair chair lift An mechanical device for lifting people and

wheelchairs up and down stairs. For sufficiently wide
stairs, a rail is mounted to the treads of the stairs or
on the wall beside the stairs. A chair or lifting platform
is attached to the rail.
 The Advantages and Disadvantages of Elevator

i. The Advantages
a. Suitable for high-rise building
b. Vertical transport that efficiently moves people or good between floor of a building
c. Safest mode of transportation
d. Faster mode of vertical transportation for lengthier vertical distance
e. Statistic shows lesser risk of injuries/accident
f. Traction lift more faster than hydraulic lift
g. Convenient – does not take much space except for the maintenance room
h. Elevator doors protect building tenants from falling into the shaft
i. Hydraulic mechanism is cheaper, but installing cylinder greater than a certain
length becomes impractical

ii. The Disadvantages

a. Expensive to maintain
b. In case of malfunction, need to use other mean of transportation
c. Longer waiting period especially heavy traffic
d. Lesser capacity to transport people and good at a certain time
e. Hydraulic lift is slow movement

4.3.2 Design and Layout Consideration of Elevator/Lift

Several numbers of passenger elevators are usually required in most buildings in order to
cope with the traffic density. The number of elevators is derived from a traditional traffic
calculation during morning up peak. In this scenario, an elevator loads at the lobby, delivers
passengers to their floors, and returns empty for the next trip. The number of elevators
required shall be selected on the basis of a 25 to 30 second response waiting time interval
between elevators.

The main design considerations for choosing either electric traction drive or hydraulic for
a particular project are the number of floors, the height of the building, the number of people
to be transported, desired passenger waiting times and frequency of use. The major
components were machine room, cabs and hoistway/pits.

Figure 4.9 : Three major elevator component part

 The other mode of vertical building transportation is “Escalator”. It can be described
as moving stairs typically used to carry large number of people at high volumes through
a limited no of floors. These are commonly used in high density areas or where sudden
traffic surges are expected at times; for example at discharge times from offices, railways
underground stations, airport terminals, theaters, shopping malls and departmental
stores. In such applications, escalators will provide shorter travel time than elevators
because elevator cars are limited in size and passengers have to wait longer for the
service.

Other typical parameter in design of elevator includes:

i. Characteristics of the premises
a. Type and use of building
b. Floor plate size and height of the building
c. Size of population and its distribution in the premises
d. Fire safety and regulations
e. The house keeping of the premises
f. Comfortable
g. Aesthetics value

ii. Circulation efficiency/performance

a. Number of cars and their capacity
b. Location and configuration of elevators in entrance lobby
c. Travel length, number of stops and maximum acceptable waiting time
d. Arrangement with the combination of elevator, escalator and emergency stairs

iii. Characteristic of the equipment

a. Type of transportation systems
b. Rated load and car dimensions
c. The speed of the lift/escalator system
d. The type of motor drive control system of the machine
e. Mode of group supervisory control and safety features
f. Cab enclosure and hoist way door finishes
g. Emergency power supplies and fire protection systems
h. Requirements of the local regulations on vertical transport system
i. Zoning of elevators
j. Elevator doors