Project Objectives
The objective of the project was to design and manufacture a prototype (or several) to illustrate the operation of elevators based on steel cables and complex pulley systems. The group formed a contract with the supervisor at the host university, who assumed the role of the 'client'. The client requested that the following components of an elevator be included in the design of the prototype(s):
- Cabin
- Lineal guides
- Ropes and pulley systems
- Counterweight
- Gear motor and brake system
- Cabin automated door system and floor door
- Safety considerations, mechanical speed limitations
The group decided to design and create three prototypes to illustrate the working mechanics of an elevator.
- Cabin
- Lineal guides
- Ropes and pulley systems
- Counterweight
- Gear motor and brake system
- Cabin automated door system and floor door
- Safety considerations, mechanical speed limitations
The group decided to design and create three prototypes to illustrate the working mechanics of an elevator.
Prototype 1
An initial prototype to be designed and created to illustrate the simple mechanics of a rope-pulley elevator system.
Prototype 2
A more complex scale model of a working elevator to further demonstrate the basic principles of a mechanical elevator system.To be of maximum 2 meters tall and include extensive safety considerations, fully operational control systems and braking mechanisms.
Prototype 3
To build upon the 2nd prototype with the addition of automated operational doors.
World Elevator Market Study
The group also conducted an in depth study of the current state of the elevator market and future predictions of the overall market. This document can be found HERE.
Elevator European Standards
The group also analysed the requirements of elevators in terms of functionality, design and accessibility imposed upon manufacturers by lawmakers. The document can be found HERE. In researching the relevant laws prior to designing the prototypes we were able to create scale models that adhered to the European standards.