INDUSTRY NEWS
US $ 82-billion elevator and escalator markets
“ The global elevator and escalator market was valued at US $ 82,473.94 million in 2021 and is anticipated to project a steady growth over the forecast period to 2027 , with a CAGR of 4.91 % owing to rapidly increasing development in high-rise buildings and ever-growing cash inflow in real estate businesses ,” commented analyst Research & Markets .
“ Global construction businesses are also experiencing massive demand for escalators and elevators . Growing investment in residential and commercial projects , as well as in the infrastructure sector , is rapidly increasing at a higher rate and is positively influencing the construction sector globally . As of 2020 , nearly 500 high-rise buildings were proposed in the U . S ., whereas around 200 high-rise buildings were proposed in the UK and about 100 in Germany . A similar trend is being witnessed across the globe , which is expected to drive the market during the forecast period ,” added the analyst .
In Europe , it commented , the elevator / escalator industry is one of the most innovative segments in the mechanical and construction business .
In addition to the establishment of advanced
Schindler elevator technology .
government norms , many manufacturers have introduced new futuristic ideas to the market , often resulting in considerable cost savings for the client . These include the electrically driven , machine-roomless elevator and , more recently , the cable-less elevator , which travels vertically and horizontally at high speed inside the structure .
“ The innovation-rich history of the elevator and escalator industry is expected to assist its companies in overcoming future challenges , such as those resulting from demographic shifts and technological advances . [ This includes the ] challenges posed by cloud-based solutions and IoT ( Internet of Things ) applications in buildings ,” added Research & Markets .
Technology advances include initiatives such as ultra-light UltraRope technology . This addresses the challenges of traditional steel ropes , including excessive energy consumption , rope stretch , enormous moving masses and building sway-related downtime . It enables the elevator to travel at a height of around 1,000 metres .
Space manufacturing and assembly
What ’ s next in space ? A factory that ’ s out of this world ….
The opening of Airbus ’ next production site is not going to be in Europe or the United States ... It ’ s going to be up in space !
Up to now , this was pure science fiction . But as early as next year , it will become reality — to some extent , at least . Because that ’ s when the astronauts on the International Space Station ( ISS ) will take their own practical companion on board : Metal3D , the first metal 3D printer in space . Metal3D , developed by Airbus for the European Space Agency ( ESA ), uses metal as source material and prints it at 1,200 degrees Celsius to produce new parts such as radiation shields , tooling or equipment directly in orbit . Future versions of the 3D printer could also use materials such as regolith ( moondust ), or recycled parts from decommissioned satellites .
“ As early as the end of this decade , 3D printers could also be used on the Moon , enabling a sustainable human presence there by printing structures for lunar rovers or habitats ,” said Airbus . “ 3D printing in space or on the Moon is only the beginning . As soon as in the next three to four years , we will be producing and assembling entire satellites in space ,” it added .
In its labs across Europe and building on what it learned from rethinking satellite design for the OneWeb constellation satellites , Airbus teams are working hard to make the Space Assembly Line a reality . They have already developed a robotic manipulator that can perform accurate and complex
Above Autonomous robotics for space assembly . Left : A reflector made in space ( artist ’ s depiction ). operations for assembling and manufacturing satellites . It can even be used to refill and repair spacecraft . Additionally , its experts have created algorithms so that the robotic arms can work together - and even build each other .
“ Since there is enough space in space , it will be possible to build bigger structures such as huge reflectors , allowing telecom satellites to cover the entire planet . Our solution is to launch kit parts that will be assembled in space by the robotic arms from our space factory ,” it added .
Producing satellites and larger structures directly in orbit will revolutionise traditional space system manufacturing : not only will production on Earth no longer be necessary ; weight and size constraints associated with getting satellites to their orbit will be a thing of the past .