Hitachi Building Systems has announced the launch of its new TX Series escalator, a space-saving and flexible models meant for the Middle East, India and Asia markets.
According to the company the escalator has already been released in China, and will be released in stages across the other regions of Asia and in the Middle East from August 21. The new TX Series is a model that meets multiple standards in China, India, Asia and the Middle East and follows the same concept as the machine room-less elevator for Asia and the Middle East that Hitachi launched in September 2016.
In addition to conforming to Chinese safety and quality standards for escalator equipment, the TX Series will be manufactured in accordance with Hitachi’s own strict standards of safety and quality, adhering to safety standards in all other regions. It also adopts a functional design based on the concept of an escalator that fits closely with the unconscious actions of users for greater ease of use and safety.
Hitachi said that the TX Series offers flexibility with a selection of various product specifications, as well as safety features designed to cater to a diverse range of customer needs. It also saves space required for installation, covering a smaller area in comparison to existing products.
Hitachi will begin sales of the TX Series in Thailand, followed by launches in the Philippines, Malaysia and various other regions, and aims to receive orders of 10,000 units in 2018 in China, India, Asia and the Middle East.
The TX Series offers various new safety features designed with optimal user safety in mind. The side portions of the steps are 8mm higher than the central portion to prevent accidents in which a users’ shoes can become caught between the step and the skirt (side wall) of the escalator. A special finish has also been adopted for the landing plates at the entry and exit points of the escalator to prevent users from slipping when getting on and off, Hitachi said.
The TX Series also minimises the size of the metal frame supporting the escalator’s balustrades, enabling the maximising of the size of the glass surface, and achieves greater simplicity at the entrance and exit points by reducing the number of recesses and protrusions around the hand rail. Additionally, Hitachi said, by expanding the installation space of the light fixture, the TX Series also enables enhanced lighting options for illuminating the entire surroundings of the balustrades.
In terms of practicality, Hitachi said that by shortening the span dimensions by 150mm, the TX Series has made it possible to install escalators in more confined spaces where installation presents difficulties with conventional product designs.