In his latest article, Colin Craney turns his attention to a component often overlooked: the counterweight in traction lifts.
The piece, titled “The Humble Lift Counterweight”, argues that what appears to be a simple part is, in fact, “a complex engineering product assembly requiring serious consideration in any design.”
Craney highlights how recent failures, including in China and the UK, exposed how critical counterweight distortions or frame failures can lead to catastrophic outcomes. He observes:
“Design has consolidated … it may though be argued that the approach … has reduced performance levels relative to those provided by traditional designs.”
And adds that:
“All of these factors and potential hazards must be accommodated and mitigated in the design of the counterweight such that the counterweight is, in reality, a complex engineering product assembly requiring serious consideration in any design.”
Throughout the article, Craney assesses the lifetime of counterweights, noting that many remain in service for 50 years or more, and warns that modern cost-reduced designs (such as pressed-sheet frames or alternative filler materials) potentially compromise long-term integrity and safety.
The piece serves both as a technical warning and a reminder that even “humble” components deserve engineering rigour, not neglect.
Read more here – Click the image to read the full article
Colin Craney has 42 years of industry experience, initially in a number of field and management roles with Otis, followed by 17 years in consulting, currently for SVM Associates. Colin is a U.K. chartered engineer and a fellow of CIBSE, European engineer, chartered safety and health practitioner, accredited consultant on the HSE Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register and a member of the Chartered Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. Colin is a barrister, having been called to the bar by the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple.
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