ThyssenKrupp, Germany, has installed stainless steel for the spire of the tower, as well as the fastest elevators in North and South America, at One World Trade Center in New York. The five elevators servicing the observatory, which opened in May, represent a significant engineering feat, as they travel at nearly 23 mph and climb to the 102nd floor in just 60 seconds.
The materials for the spire were supplied by Ken-Mac Metals, a U.S.-based affiliate of ThyssenKrupp. The top weighs about 6.3 metric tons. Planning for the key elevator components was done by a network of experts from eight countries. These components include cabins, motors, cables, four million pounds of rails, and complex software.
ThyssenKrupp’s high-speed elevators are equipped with several special technologies to get and keep them moving at record speeds. Aerodynamic aluminum shrouds deflect air and maintain speed, similar to the spoiler wing on a car. A special guide system minimizes vibrations, ensuring a smoother ride. Sound-suppressing materials throughout elevator cabs and doors limit noise.
ThyssenKrupp also designed and installed all of the elevators and escalators throughout the building. The elevator system provides energy conservation to the building. LED lights in cab ceilings will save more than 78,000 kilowatt-hours annually versus halogen bulbs. Regenerative drives will recapture elevator energy and return it to the building’s electrical system. Altogether, ThyssenKrupp installed 71 elevators and 12 escalators into One World Trade Center.
The One World Trade Center measures 1776 feet to the top of the stainless steel spire. This number has historical significance and symbolizes the birth year of the United States. The building is not only the highest building in the United States, but also the fourth highest in the world.
Photographs for are here: https://engineered.thyssenkrupp.com/en/
