flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Mitsubishi unveils ultra-high-speed elevator for Shanghai skyscraper

Mitsubishi unveils ultra-high-speed elevator for Shanghai skyscraper

The operation of the elevator is scheduled to begin in 2014.


By By BBC | April 2, 2012
Mitsubishi Electric newly developed a control cable that is 20% lighter than the
Mitsubishi Electric newly developed a control cable that is 20% lighter than the one used for the former product.

Mitsubishi Electric Corp announced the overview of its ultra-high-speed elevator developed for the 632-meter Shanghai Tower under construction in Shanghai, China.

For the traction motor of the elevator, Mitsubishi Electric employed a parallel drive system that uses two three-phase winding coils for each motor and controls the two three-phases with two control panels. By using two compact control panels, the company enabled to design the layout of a machinery room more freely while increasing output power. The operation of the elevator is scheduled to begin in 2014.

To realize the world's fastest speed of 1,080 m per minute, Mitsubishi Electric used new technologies for higher safety, lifting height and comfort as well as for the motor for the winch. Specifically, to enhance safety, the company employed a two-tiered brake (the company's former product has a one-tiered brake) for emergency stop and used fine ceramic with a heat resistance of up to about 1,000°C for the brake shoe.

The buffer (shock absorber) at the bottom of the elevator shaft is comprised of three tiers (the former product has a one-tiered butter) and has a stroke of 7.3 meters, which is about 30% shorter than the stroke of the former product's buffer.

For the "sfleX-rope," a rope for the winch, Mitsubishi Electric employed a new structure so that it can hold a greater weight of a longer rope. The company improved the density of the rope by using a concentric-layered steel wire and filled the gap between the layers with plastic.

As a result, the company increased breaking load by 85% while increasing mass per unit length only by 18%. The new rope is less extensible. So, when people get in the elevator, it does not shake vertically much.

This time, Mitsubishi Electric newly developed a control cable that is 20% lighter than the one used for the former product.

For the comfort, the new elevator is equipped with the "active roller guide," which detects vibration and applies anti-phase vibration to it so that the vibration of the car is reduced. While two units of the active roller guide are installed in the bottom of the former product, Mitsubishi Electric added two more to the upper side of the new elevator because a different type of vibration is applied to the new product when it is moving at an ultra-high speed. As a result, vibration was reduced to about 1/3 that of the former product.

Furthermore, the new elevator is equipped with a streamlined aerodynamic car cover that reduces air resistance as well as an air pressure control device consisting of an air blower, a duct and a box for switching between air intake and emission. As a result, rapid changes in atmospheric pressure can be prevented, reducing passengers' feeling of fullness in the ear. BD+C

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Apr 12, 2024

ICC eliminates building electrification provisions from 2024 update

The International Code Council stripped out provisions from the 2024 update to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) that would have included beefed up circuitry for hooking up electric appliances and car chargers.

Urban Planning | Apr 12, 2024

Popular Denver e-bike voucher program aids carbon reduction goals

Denver’s e-bike voucher program that helps citizens pay for e-bikes, a component of the city’s carbon reduction plan, has proven extremely popular with residents. Earlier this year, Denver’s effort to get residents to swap some motor vehicle trips for bike trips ran out of vouchers in less than 10 minutes after the program opened to online applications.

Laboratories | Apr 12, 2024

Life science construction completions will peak this year, then drop off substantially

There will be a record amount of construction completions in the U.S. life science market in 2024, followed by a dramatic drop in 2025, according to CBRE. In 2024, 21.3 million sf of life science space will be completed in the 13 largest U.S. markets. That’s up from 13.9 million sf last year and 5.6 million sf in 2022.

Multifamily Housing | Apr 12, 2024

Habitat starts leasing Cassidy on Canal, a new luxury rental high-rise in Chicago

New 33-story Class A rental tower, designed by SCB, will offer 343 rental units. 

Student Housing | Apr 12, 2024

Construction begins on Auburn University’s new first-year residence hall

The new first-year residence hall along Auburn University's Haley Concourse.

K-12 Schools | Apr 11, 2024

Eric Dinges named CEO of PBK

Eric Dinges named CEO of PBK Architects, Houston.

Construction Costs | Apr 11, 2024

Construction materials prices increase 0.4% in March 2024

Construction input prices increased 0.4% in March compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices also increased 0.4% for the month.

Healthcare Facilities | Apr 11, 2024

The just cause in behavioral health design: Make it right

NAC Architecture shares strategies for approaching behavioral health design collaboratively and thoughtfully, rather than simply applying a set of blanket rules.

K-12 Schools | Apr 10, 2024

A San Antonio school will provide early childhood education to a traditionally under-resourced region

In San Antonio, Pre-K 4 SA, which provides preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, and HOLT Group, which owns industrial and other companies, recently broke ground on an early childhood education: the South Education Center.

University Buildings | Apr 10, 2024

Columbia University to begin construction on New York City’s first all-electric academic research building

Columbia University will soon begin construction on New York City’s first all-electric academic research building. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), the 80,700-sf building for the university’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons will provide eight floors of biomedical research and lab facilities as well as symposium and community engagement spaces. 

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category


Mass Timber

Bjarke Ingels Group designs a mass timber cube structure for the University of Kansas

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and executive architect BNIM have unveiled their design for a new mass timber cube structure called the Makers’ KUbe for the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design. A six-story, 50,000-sf building for learning and collaboration, the light-filled KUbe will house studio and teaching space, 3D-printing and robotic labs, and a ground-level cafe, all organized around a central core.



halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021