The Alta elevator is a new design developed for the next generation of super-tall buildings up to 500m (1,600ft.)in height. Introduced by Kone Corporation, based in Finland, it marks the trend towards increasing sophistication, speed and design in elevator technology.

Believed to be the world's fastest and most powerful elevator system introduced so far, Alta elevators can transport up to 70 passengers and reach speeds up to 17 metres per second (3.400 ft/min).
The heart of the new design are 'magnum' versions of the company's EcoDisc® hoisting machine. This technology made possible the company's MonoSpace elevator concept launched in 1996 and since sold in tens of thousands. "This machine room-less elevator has established itself as a new global standard," says Neil Padden, Kone senior vice president, "winning several awards for innovation world-wide".
EcoDisc units are frequency controlled gearless AC machines employing patented axial synchronous motors with permanent magnets. They are compact and feature a high power-to-weight ratio. In tall buildings, the unit's low power consumption offers potential annual energy savings adding up to tens of thousands of kilowatt hours per elevator group, says Padden.

Gene therapy
The new elevators incorporate control systems that employ genetic algorithm. This optimises the routing of elevator cars in all types of traffic by effectively simulating Charles Darwin's idea of natural selection to suit the environment. In Kone's Alta system, the process is very fast, taking only milliseconds. It incorporates fuzzy logic and artificial intelligence designed for specific control tasks.
The high speeds and heavy traffic has also prompted the development of a high performance door system to ensure fast, safe and quiet operation. Special 'SilentRide' technology, developed by Kone, is applied on both single and high capacity 'double-decker' Alta elevator models for a smooth and quiet ride.
Using flexible componentry and sub-systems, the Alta system offers custom solutions for each building project. In addition, site processes include a solution to provide elevator service for construction labour and materials that actually tracks the progress of the building work.
As the Alta complements the other EcoDisc' based Kone elevator ranges already on the market, Neil Padden points out: "For the first time, all sizes of buildings can be equipped with technologically consistent, same generation gearless elevators."

Captions:
Picture 1 (computer rendering - X-ray pic of a super-tall building): Super-tall buildings rely on sophisticated, fast and quiet vertical transportation systems.

Picture 2 (MX 40 machine): State-of-art EcoDisc® machines provide the power for high speed elevators.

Editor's note:
MonoSpace and EcoDisc are registered trademarks of Kone Corporation.

For more information in Australia, please contact:
KONE Pty Ltd
John Hellewell / Mark Bennett
205 Euston Road
Alexandria, NSW 2015
AUSTRALIA
Tel.: +61 2 9577 7000
Fax: +61 2 9577 7399
Email: john.hellewell@kone.com / mark.bennett@kone.com

In USA, please contact:
KONE Inc.
Bart Stephan
Vice President, Sales
One KONE Court,
Moline, IL 61265
USA
Tel.: +1 309 743 5633
Fax: +1 309 738 2850
Email: bart.stephan@kone.com

In Canada, please contact:
KONE Inc.
Sherif Fayek
Vice President, Sales
80 Horner Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M8Z 4X8
Canada
Fax.: +1 416 255 1581
Email: Sherif.Fayek@KONE.com

In Belgium, please contact:
KONE Belgium
Leuvensesteenweg 1048
B-1140 Evere Brussel
BELGIUM
telefoon: 02/730.93.11
fax: 02/730.93.16
Email: info.be@kone.com

In Sweden, please contact:
KONE Hissar
Staffan Börjesson
Haukadalsgatan 3
S-164 96 Kista
SWEDEN
Tel.: +46 31 894900
Fax: +46 31 459443
Email: staffan.borjesson@kone.com

In Poland, please contact:
KONE Elevators Poland Sp.z o.o.
02-699 Warszawa, ul Taborowa 18
POLAND
Tel.: +48 22 853 66 37
Fax: +48 22 644 97 96
www.kone.com

In Turkey, please contact:
KONE Asansör San.ve Tic.A.S.
Ünver Tekirli
Istanbul
TURKEY
Fax: +90 216 339 31 79
Email: unver@garanti.net.tr

In Malaysia, please contact:
KONE Elevator (M) Sdn. Bhd.
Andy Seo
5th Floor, Wisma Ali Bawal 1
N0: 11, Jalan Tandang
46050 Petaling Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan
MALAYSIA
Tel.: +60 3 77841268
Fax: +60 3 77841263
Email: andy.seo@kone.com


In China, please contact:
KONE Elevators Co., Ltd.
Peter Wakim
Director, Sales & Marketing
Kunshan, P.R. CHINA
Fax: +86 520 779 4551
Email: kone-china@kone.com

In Philippines, please contact:
KPI Elevators, Inc.
Allan Theiss
P.O.Box 3558
Makati Central Post Office (MCPO)
PHILIPPINES
Tel.: +63 2 811 2929
Fax: +63 2 811 2466
Email: allan.theiss@kone.com

In South Africa, please contact:
KONE South Africa
Alan Underwood
Johannesburg
SOUTH AFRICA
Fax: +27 11 677 0777
Email: alan.underwood@kone.com
www.kone.co.za

In Russia, please contact:
Kone Lifts
Jukka Kylmälä
Chisty per. 11/7
119034 Moscow
RUSSIA
Tel.: +7 095 241 0566
Fax: +7 095 230 2422
Email: jukka.kylmala@kone.com

Otherwise, please contact:
KONE International S.A.
Jorma Lumme
Brussels
BELGIUM
Fax:+32 2 6768392
Email: jorma.lumme@kone.com
www.kone.com

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