MOM LAB OPEN ENDED LAB Sir Syed Wasim Hassan

MACHANICS OF MACHINE LAB

(OPEN ENDED LAB)

SUBMITTED TO:
Sir Syed Wasim Hassan Zubair

SUBMITTED BY:
Name : Muhammad Umair Sakhi Javed
Roll no : 2020-ME-140
Section :C
Group : 5

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, LAHORE.

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Table of Contents
Escalator....................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Types of Escalators................................................................................................................................................... 2
Parallel Escalator.................................................................................................................................................. 2
Spiral Parallel Escalator...................................................................................................................................... 2
Crisscross Escalator............................................................................................................................................. 3
Curved Escalator................................................................................................................................................... 3
Step Type Escalator............................................................................................................................................. 4
Wheelchair-Accessible Escalator.................................................................................................................... 5
Belt Type Escalator.............................................................................................................................................. 5
Components............................................................................................................................................................... 6
Landing platforms................................................................................................................................................ 6
Truss.......................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Balustrade............................................................................................................................................................... 7
Tracks........................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Steps......................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Drive Systems........................................................................................................................................................ 8
Auto-Lubrication System................................................................................................................................ 10
Braking System................................................................................................................................................... 10
Safety Devices..................................................................................................................................................... 11
Working of Escalator............................................................................................................................................. 12
Risks involved at Escalator.................................................................................................................................. 13
Precautionary Measures at Escalator.............................................................................................................. 13
Application and Advantages of Escalator..................................................................................................... 14
MOM LAB OPEN ENDED LAB Sir Syed Wasim Hassan

MECHANICS OF MACHINE LAB

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Escalator
An escalator is a moving staircase which carries people between floors of a building or
structure. It consists of a motor-driven chain of individually linked steps on a track which
cycle on a pair of tracks which keep them horizontal.

Types of Escalators

Parallel Escalator

Parallel escalator faces are always in the same direction. This type of escalator always uses
more floor space, and it has a superb appearance. This type of elevator is more expensive
and less efficient as well. Parallel escalators always use for spiritual arrangements.

Spiral Parallel Escalator

Spiral Parallel Escalator is another popular type of elevator. This type of escalator is best for
long distances. It forces the user to walk properly and cover long distances. Users can easily
reach without facing any trouble.
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Crisscross Escalator

This is another best type of escalator which includes many features. Crisscross escalators are
the most popular arrangements of escalators that place the entrance and exit to its upper
and lower end at the opposite end of the escalator.

Curved Escalator

Curved escalator designed in a way which includes helical shape and curved with curved
steps.  This type of escalator is perfect for the right side and left side this type of escalator is
curved to the right side or left side as well.
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Step Type Escalator

This is one of the common types of escalator foam today. Steps for this type of escalator are
made from metal. The movement for this type of escalator upward and downward both vice
versa. This type of escalator is always safe than any other type of escalator.

Wheelchair-Accessible Escalator
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A wheelchair-accessible Escalator is one type of escalator that offers you an opportunity to

carry a wheelchair in this type of escalator you will find a special attendant. If a person with a
wheelchair step onto the escalator, the escalator is put in a special mode where 3 steps level
out and a platform is formed.

Belt Type Escalator

Belt type escalator is the latest type of escalator, and this is also called moving walkways.
This type of escalator does not include any stairs. You just need to hold the grip and stand,
and it will move smoothly.

Components
The explanation of different components of escalator are given below:
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Landing platforms

Landing platforms are the two platforms (at the two ends) that house the curved sections of
the tracks, as well as the gears and motors that drive the stairs. The top platform usually
contains the motor assembly and the main drive gear, while the bottom holds the return
gear. These sections also anchor the ends of the escalator truss. Each platform also has a
floor and a comb plate. The floor plate provides a place for the passengers to stand before
they step onto the moving stairs, which is not permanently fixed with the rest of floor and
usually hinged to allow easy maintenance access, while the comb plate is located at both
ends of an escalator or moving walk, where the moving steps meet the fixed landing portion.
The comb plate has teeth, which are aligned with the recess of the steps and are rounded in
shape to minimize the injury while stepping on or out of escalator.

Truss

The truss is the hollow metal structure that bridges the lower and upper landings, 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. It carries all the straight track sections connecting the upper and lower
sections.

Balustrade

The balustrade is composed of handrails, balustrade panels, and skirt panels.

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 Handrail

The handrail provides a handhold for passengers while they are riding the escalator. The
handrail is pulled along its own track by a chain that is connected to the main drive gear by a
series of pulleys, keeping it at the same speed as the steps

 Balustrade panel

Being made of either metal, sandwich panel, or glass, the balustrade panel supports the
handrails of the escalator. It also provides additional protection for the handrail and
passengers. Some escalators have direction arrows on the ends of the balustrade. Escalators'
on/off buttons are frequently located at the ends of the balustrade. Moving walkways often
use balustrades in the same way.

 Skirt Panel

The bottom of the balustrade is called a skirt panel. It is notorious in this art for being a
frequent site of injuries and failures, due to the possible entrapment of materials (including
body parts) in the machinery. Multiple solutions have been suggested for this issue,
including coating with a low-friction material, employing bristles, and others.

Tracks

The track system is built into the truss to guide the steps. There are actually two tracks: one
for the front wheels of the steps and one for the back wheels of the steps. The relative
positions of these tracks cause the steps to form a staircase as they move out from under the
comb plate. On the inclined portion of the escalators, the step track is positioned to create a
staircase configuration at the steps. Then, as the steps transition at the top and bottom of
the escalator, the two tracks separate to allow the steps to "flatten out" at the floor plate.

Steps

These are typically solid and made of die-cast aluminium or steel. They are cleated with
comb-like protrusions that mesh with the comb plates. The steps are linked by a continuous
metal chain that forms a closed loop.

The steps, connected in series, always step level as they move. The steps create a flat
platform at both the top and the bottom of the escalator by collapsing on each other. This
works by way of the two sets of wheels on each step. The upper set of wheels are connected
to the rotating chains, pulled by the gears at the top of the escalator. The lower set of wheels
follow behind and just glide along on their track.

Drive Systems

The part that drives all the components is the driving system. An escalator drive system
includes the following components:
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 Drive Machine and Gear Reducer.

 The Step Drive System.
 The Handrail Drive System. 

Drive Machine and Gear Reducer

 Drive Machine 

The Drive machine together with the gear reducer provides the torque to drive the step band
at a constant speed.

Driving machine, this is the power unit of the elevator, and usually located at the elevator
machine room. The Driving machine used to refer to the collection of components that raise
or lower the elevator. These include the drive motor, brake, speed reduction unit, sheaves,
and encoders.

 The Main Drive Gear (Gear Reducer)

A gear reducer is a mechanical transmission device that connects a motor to a driven load. It
is also known as a gearbox. It allows you to modify the torque and speed between a motor
and a load. Reduction gear assemblies are made up of series of gears. The gear reduction
ratio (the ratio of the number of teeth between input and output shafts) is also known as the
transmission ratio. Worm gear is used for this purpose because it has very high transmission
ratio and thus it can provide high torque by reducing rpm and it has another advantage as
well it is irreversible it can rotate in one direction only.

Step drive system

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The step drive system consists out of two chains that are directly coupled to the main drive
gear which drives them around. These are the step-chain on the inside and the trailing-chain
on the outside. The step chains form a loop from the main drive gears on top of the
escalator to the tension carriage gear (the turn-around) at the bottom of the escalator by the
use of link pins (like on a bike chain). These chains are directly connected to the step wheels
which pull the steps.

Handrail drive system

The handrail drive system is directly driven by the step drive system by adding an extra belt
around the main drive gear that also drives the steps. Like this, both the steps and the
handrail move at the same speed (see red arrows), making the ride for the passengers on the
escalator more comfortable.

Auto-Lubrication System 
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The escalators have an Automatic Lubrication System that supplies oil to lubricate the main
drive chain, step chain, and the handrail drive chains. Oil flow rate is adjustable by setting the
automatic timer control “off” and “on” periods to supply lubrication.

The Automatic Lubricator has a gage to show oil reservoir level. The Lubrication Timer can be
programmed for any time mode but is pre-set for a 20-hour cycle. The system dispenses
pre-determined amounts of oil to the distribution network which delivers this oil to the
bearing points.

Note: The Auto Lubrication System does not supply grease to the drive system bearings.
Drive bearing lubrication must be done manually. Bearings that need to be manually
lubricated are the Main Drive Bearings, the Tension Carriage Bearings, the Motor Bearing,
and the Handrail Drive bearings.

Additionally, the bearing surface of the Main Drive Shaft Brake, the Step Axle sleeve, the Step
Wheel guide-shoe, and the Gear Box are manually lubricated.

Braking System

A braking system for escalators and moving walkways, includes a braking device with a main
brake of the type which is released when there is no voltage in its electric activator, and an
auxiliary brake of the type which is closed when there is no voltage in its electric activator. A
controller controls the braking device, prepared for obtaining the load of the escalator or
moving walkway, and calculates the braking torque required for each braking device
depending on the load and activating the braking device for obtaining the corresponding
torque while braking when a braking command is received. The auxiliary brake is activated
for taking the escalators or moving walkway to a safe position when there is a system failure.
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Safety Devices

Emergency Stop Button (E-STOP):  A button to immediately stop the escalator in

emergencies.

Step Motion Safety Device (CRS):  A safety device to stop the escalator when a Step has
been dislocated on its riser side due to an object caught between the Steps, or between the
Skirt Guard and the Step, or if an abnormality has been observed in the Step motion.

Overload Detection Device: A safety device that stops the escalator if overload has been
detected by abnormal current or temperature of the drive motor.

Speed Governor (GOV): A safety device that stops the escalator if the speed significantly
decreases to 10% or increases to 120% of the rated speed.

Electromagnetic Brake:  A safety device that stops the escalator in the case of power failure,
or if any safety device or the Emergency Stop Button has been activated.

Skirt Guard Safety Device (SSS):  A safety device to stop the escalator if a shoe or other
item becomes trapped in the gap between the Step and Skirt Guard.

Comb-Step Safety Switch (CSS): A safety device that stops the escalator if a foreign object
becomes trapped in the gap between the Step and Comb.
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Working of Escalator
Escalator working is explained below:

 The core parts of the escalator are two chains, which rotate around two pairs of
gears. At the top of the escalator, an electric motor drives the transmission gear to
rotate the chain ring. A typical escalator uses a 100-horsepower engine to turn the
gears. The engine and chain systems are mounted in trusses, which are metal
structures that extend from floor to floor.
 Unlike the conveyor belt moving a plane, the chain ring moves a set of steps. The
most interesting thing about escalators is the way they move. The steps remain level
as the chain moves. At the top and bottom of the escalator, the steps fold into a
platform. This makes it easier to get up and down the escalator.
 Each step of the escalator has two sets of wheels, which rotate along two separate
tracks. The top gear (wheels near the top of the steps) is connected to a rotating
chain and is pulled by a drive gear located at the top of the escalator. The other
wheels simply slide along the track behind the first wheels.
 The two tracks are separated from each other, so that each step can be kept level. At
the top and bottom of the escalator, the track is in a horizontal position, flattening
the steps. There are a series of grooves inside each step to connect the front and rear
steps during the levelling process.
 Besides rotating the main link, the motor in the escalator can also move the handrails.
The armrest is just a rubber conveyor belt that circulates around a series of wheels.
The conveyor belt is precisely configured to move at exactly the same speed as the
steps, making the rider feel smooth.
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 The escalators generally move at the speed of 1-2 ft per second. The usual angle is 30
degrees from the ground. Most of the escalators have single-piece aluminium steps
that move along the track by electric motors.

Risks involved at Escalator

There are many risks which can occur at escalator.

 Safety is a major concern in escalator design, as escalators are powerful machines

that can become entangled with clothing and other items. Such entanglements can
injure or kill riders.
 Children wearing footwear such as Crocs and flip-flops are especially at risk of being
caught in escalator mechanisms. The softness of the shoe's material combined with
the smaller size of children's feet makes this sort of accident especially common.
 Escalators sometimes include fire protection systems including automatic fire
detection and suppression systems within the dust collection and engineer pit. To
limit the danger caused by overheating, spaces that contain motors and gears
typically include additional ventilation. Small, targeted clean agent automatic
extinguishing systems are sometimes installed in these areas. Fire protection of an
escalator floor opening is also sometimes provided by adding automatic sprinklers or
fireproof shutters to the opening, or by installing the escalator in an enclosed fire-
protected space.

Precautionary Measures at Escalator

The precautionary measures for these risks are following:

 For existing installations, a suitable and sufficient risk assessment should be

completed to determine what measures can be taken to reduce the potential for
incidents to occur.
 Physical measures can be considered such as the installation of additional rails or
guards to prevent falls into voids that could be present and the fitting of deflectors to
prevent entrapments.
 As detailed above, persons carrying objects such as shopping carts, prams or trolleys
onto an escalator are a major causation factor. Thought can be given to the use of
physical barriers that prevent such items being taken onto the escalator (but that do
not impede the point of entry areas). If considering this, alternative means of
transportation in the form of a lift should be close-by for those with such items.
 Boarding and disembarking areas should be kept clear of obstructions as these can
create congestion while thought can also be given to the actual speed of the
escalator, particularly where elderly users are foreseeable.
 Other simple measures that may be taken include the marking of treads to demarcate
leading edges but also to assist in transition from the landing to escalator, and to
indicate the potential entrapment hazards.
 To prevent misuse, those with responsibility may consider the installation of closed-
circuit television (CCTV) to act as a deterrent for behavioural misuse. Good ambient
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lighting will also support the use of CCTV and will also improve demarcation between
treads.
 Physical measures should be supported by softer measures, particularly in the form of
appropriate signage. Signs should be posted in a conspicuous manner at the upper
and lower approaches to the escalator giving warning of the most significant
hazards/rules of use (eg small children must be held firmly).
 However, too much signage (and advertising) in the wrong location can negate the
impact of signage and also create a risk by taking users’ attention away when
boarding/disembarking the escalator. Safety signs can also be enhanced through the
use of audible warnings when approaching the boarding and disembarking zones.
 Clearly continual supervision of escalators is not likely to be reasonably practicable
but staff members who may have a presence near to escalators (such as security
operatives for example) should be trained to recognize potential hazardous situations
and warn users of the risks.
 Finally, the duty holder will need to ensure appropriate procedures are developed in
the event of an incident occurring and that relevant numbers of staff members are
trained in these procedures, again such as security operatives.

Application and Advantages of Escalator

Escalator are used in following places

 Department stores
 Shopping malls
 Airports
 Transit systems
 Convention centres
 Hotels
 Public buildings

Escalators have many advantages over lift which are given below:

 Escalators are used to move pedestrian traffic in places where elevators would be
impractical.
 Capacity to move large numbers of people at a time
 Can be placed in the same physical space as one might install a staircase
 Can be used to guide people toward main exits or special exhibits
 Escalators have no waiting interval (except during very heavy traffic)