Escalators are a wonderful solution to make user experience hassle-free and more convenient. Over the years, it has opened up new ways to make the connectivity inside the multi-storey buildings easy and simpler. Equipped with smart operations, greater efficiency and comfortable ride, escalators have added ease to the modern lifestyle and is essential for business success.
The development of escalators has been an inspiring journey that has created many breakthroughs. It is a vision of future modern architectural space design made feasible today. A lot of global leaders are investing in the escalator and elevator market in India and have been distributing products through their local channels. Many of them have started their own operations in India by installing their products primarily in the premium segment including luxury hotels, offices, and museums. Escalators have turned out to be a basic necessity in the current scenario for applications of Shopping centres and public utility spaces like airports, railway stations.
To bring innovation and technologically advanced designs and models in the market, Mitsubishi Electric is doing its bit. In order to provide the relevant space that the building owners once wanted, Mitsubishi Electric developed the world's first curved escalators called ‘Spiral Escalators.’ Carefulmix of vertical and rotational movements, an elegant arch created utilizing one-and-only escalator technology offered by Mitsubishi Electric. The three-dimensional motion creates an expansive panoramic view for users, and the innovative design transforms the area into an unprecedented architectural masterpiece.
Mitsubishi Electric is the only manufacturer in the world to offer spiral (curved) escalators for indoor use and up to 21' - 7" of vertical rise. These escalators have a similar life cycle as compared to linear (straight) escalators. They offer a unique and sensory riding experience, engaging passengers with their surrounding environment as they travel.
Compatible for highly advanced building designs, these spiral escalators form a 3D effect that creates an expansive panoramic view for users. This innovative design comes from an artisan skill called Takumi (in Japanese) where the maker demands perfection without any scope of compromising down to the smallest detail.
These Spiral Escalators enhance architectural structures by delivering added value and artistic appeal. They have a unique "interior in motion" attraction that produces a special space and time for tenants and visitors. Mitsubishi Electric’s Spiral Escalators are based on the principle of ‘centralized motion’ method.
Earlier also, curving escalators were proposed around the world which were based on ‘concentric circle’ method. But none ever made it to market. Even though the speed of horizontal movement when creating a semi-circle is regular, making it possible to move concentrically, the structural problem is that movement in the horizontal direction slows to the extent that there is vertical movement in the inclined section. However, Mitsubishi Electric overcame this issue by developing the "centralized motion method," in which the central point moves in stages based on the angle of incline.
Considering its manufacturing, manual labours are required as these Spiral Escalators work on three-dimensional movement and hence various components must be processed into unique shapes such as curved trusses and steps with arch-like grooves. The complex shape of the track makes it one of the parts that require a meticulous process utilizing intricate manufacturing technologies. Using special tools and some basic knowledge, technicians finish the tracks manually by repeatedly performing a series of bending and twisting processes. Even when applying three-dimensional torsion, a final accuracy of 0.1mm or less is ensured, thus realizing smooth, precise motion.
There’s no denying that these Spiral Escalators have highly précised installation. There are specialised installers that assemble the truss by connecting up to 6,000 custom-shaped parts. Aligned with this, multiple quality assurance checks are carried out to ensure that the finished product is of high quality and can cause no discrepancy during its operation.
With graceful arcs that flow elegantly through any area, the spiral escalators widen passenger perspective and add new contours to the surrounding area thereby enhancing the connection between passengers and their environment.
The Spiral Escalators have now become the first choice of the customers. They not only enhance the impact of a building’s interior architecture but also guides visitors smoothly into the building, and the inherent beauty of this unique design transforms an entrance hall into a landmark that is sure to enhance the reputation and value of any building.
Installed at the entrance or in the corners of a large room, spiral escalators greatly increase the amount of usable floor space and control of pedestrian traffic is central to the organization of the space.
In fact, stacking spiral escalators above each other in a multiple plan configuration is also trending nowadays as it creates a spectacular atrium effect. In addition, the arrangement of a series of spiral escalators in a continuously rising pattern offers a unique panoramic view of the building, an inspired solution for office buildings, malls, casinos, hotels, and museums.
These innovations have undoubtedly provided a new platform to the vertical transportation industry thereby ensuring the vertical journey of mid-rise buildings more convenient while delivering user comfort with utmost safety and attractive aesthetics.
