GEARED TRACTION ELEVATORS & MACHINES IN PAKISTAN

Geared Traction Elevators & Machines in Pakistan

Geared Traction Elevators & Machines in Pakistan

Blog Article


  1. Introduction


Geared traction elevators remain a reliable and adaptable vertical transportation solution across Pakistan, offering an effective balance between cost, performance, and structural requirements. These elevators driven by AC motors coupled with gearboxes are ideal for low- to mid-rise buildings, cargo applications, and settings where machine-room configurations suit practical constraints. Liberty Elevators specializes in supplying, installing, and servicing geared traction systems that address the unique needs of Pakistan’s built environment.

  1. What Are Geared Traction Elevators?


Geared traction elevators use an electric motor paired with a gearbox that drives the hoist sheave to move elevator ropes. The gearbox’s worm gears provide torque multiplication, enabling efficient lifting in buildings up to around 90–150 m high and speeds up to approximately 2.5 m/s. These systems typically require a separate machine room either above the shaft or in the basement, housing the motor, gearbox, brake, and control equipment.

  1. Technical Components & Functional Overview


3.1 Motor & Gearbox

  • AC induction motors operate at high RPM and transmit motion via worm gearboxes.

  • Capable of lifting heavy loads due to torque amplification.

  • Brands such as AKIS, EKER, GEM, NBSL, and Top Gear (from Turkey, Italy, China) are widely used in Pakistan.


3.2 Drive Sheave & Ropes

  • The gearbox turns the drive sheave, moving steel hoist ropes over it; traction depends on groove design and rope tension.


3.3 Control System

  • Modern VVVF (Variable Voltage Variable Frequency) drives and PLC-based controllers offer smoother starts, energy savings, and diagnostic capabilities.

  • Microcomputer-based controllers (62-bit, 24 V DC) are common, offering precise leveling and energy efficiency.


3.4 Machine Room Configuration

  • Separate spaces above or below the shaft contain motor-gearbox units and control panels.

  • MRL (Machine Room-Less) variants are also possible with gearless alternatives.



  1. Advantages of Geared Traction Elevators



  • Cost‑effective: Generally more economical than gearless systems in installation and maintenance, especially for low‑rise installations.

  • High torque: Ideal for carrying heavier loads and maintaining reliable lifting from a single-speed traction machine.

  • Durability: Gearboxes and AC motors perform well under harsh conditions if maintenance is regular.

  • Widespread availability: Spare parts and expertise are readily accessible due to their prevalence.



  1. Common Use Cases in Pakistan



  • Low‑ to mid‑rise buildings: Up to about 90 m height, residential or commercial.

  • Cargo / freight usage: Suited for goods lifts, parking systems, and equipment transport.

  • Retrofitting projects: Ideal for modernizing existing geared installations cost‑effectively.



  1. Market Presence & Local Suppliers



  • Techme Pakistan offers AC-driven geared machines supporting up to 2.5 m/s and 150 m travel heights.

  • Gulf Tech Elevators distributes brands like AKIS, EKER, GEM, and NBSL suitable for speeds up to 2.5 m/s and shafts up to 190 m.

  • Aarise Elevators provides both geared and gearless machines for low- and mid-rise buildings.

  • AKIS Pakistan offers a line of geared traction machines (CF and GF series) with 2‑year warranty and in‑stock levels in Pakistan.



  1. Liberty Elevators’ Capabilities


Liberty Elevators stands out through:

  • Broad machine compatibility (Turkish, Italian, Chinese brands).

  • VVVF and PLC integration for smoother, energy-efficient operation.

  • Local customization of gearboxes, motors, and controller housing to meet architectural specs.

  • Full service support including installation, commissioning, periodic maintenance, and spare parts availability.



  1. Comparison: Geared vs. Gearless Traction










































Feature Geared Traction Gearless Traction
Initial Cost Lower Higher
Maintenance Moderate Lower (fewer mechanical parts)
Suitable Height Low‑mid rise (≤150 m) High-rise (>150 m)
Torque High (via gearbox) Moderate to high (direct motor torque)
Energy Efficiency Good with VVVF control Excellent with PM motors and regenerative drives
Machine Room Required MRL options available

 

  1. Selection Criteria & Best Practices



  1. Building Profile: Travel height, load requirements, shaft capacity.

  2. Control System: Opt for modern VVVF with diagnostics.

  3. Brand Strategy: Choose reputable gearbox-motor combos (AKIS, EKER, GEM).

  4. Structural Preparation: Shaft space, load support, machine room layout.

  5. Maintenance Planning: Schedule gearbox oil changes, rope checks, brake and bearing inspection.

  6. Safety Compliance: Adhere to ASME A17.1 or EN-81 standards, including overspeed governors and emergency brakes.



  1. Real‑World Installations & Retrofit Insights



  • In Pakistan, successful retrofits of aged traction systems continue due to ease of updating geared machines compared to gearless alternatives.

  • Reddit users emphasize, “Geared machines aren’t going anywhere. … the cost is usually 30% less expensive than the big guys and you get a non‑proprietary controller”.

  • It's advised to involve independent consultants to ensure quality and avoid proprietary lock-in .



  1. Maintenance & Longevity



  • Gearbox care: Regular oil changes maintain efficiency and prevent gear wear.

  • Rope and sheave checks: Even tension and groove maintenance extend rope life.

  • Motor upkeep: Inspect bearings, cooling systems, and brushes where applicable.

  • Controller tuning: Optimize VVVF parameters for performance and energy use.

  • Safety audits: Functional tests of emergency brakes, governors, and overspeed systems are mandatory.



  1. Future Outlook & Industry Trends



  • Hybrid systems: Combining geared mechanics with energy-saving VVVF technology.

  • IoT integration: Real-time monitoring for predictive servicing.

  • MRL adoption: As land value rises, machine-room-less options are gaining ground.

  • Local production ramp-up: Pakistani companies increasingly fabricating controller panels, gearboxes, and machine-room enclosures for faster delivery.



  1. Why Partner with Liberty Elevators



  • Local Intelligence: Designs tailored for Pakistan’s climate and architecture.

  • Component Access: Stock of geared traction machines, PLCs, and gearboxes.

  • Comprehensive Services: From supply to installation, certification, and AMC.

  • Cost-Effectiveness: Geared systems offer strong ROI in low- to mid-rise applications.

  • Regulatory Conformance: Full adherence to local and international safety standards.



  1. Implementation Guide



  1. Initial Assessment: Site survey, travel height, load planning.

  2. Technical Proposal: Gear motor spec, control setup, cost breakdown.

  3. Shaft & Room Planning: Load verification and machine-room layout.

  4. Component Sourcing: Select geared sets, drives, emergency systems.

  5. Installation & Testing: Mechanical setup, VVVF tuning, performance checks.

  6. Training & Handover: Staff orientation with documentation and AMC planning.



  1. Conclusion


Geared traction elevators represent a proven, cost-efficient choice for most of Pakistan’s low- to mid-rise buildings offering robust performance, reliable maintenance, and widespread component availability. Liberty Elevators combines local expertise with global machinery choices and modern controls to deliver tailored, future-ready gear-driven systems. For developers, facility managers, and retrofit specialists, choosing geared traction solutions via Liberty ensures dependable vertical mobility without overshooting the budget.

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