Rack-and-pinion elevator technology

Alimak elevators, hoists and platforms are designed to withstand tough environments and abrasive conditions, making them ideal for industries such as construction, offshore, marine, cement, power and mining. Their robust construction ensures reliable performance even in the toughest conditions.

Built-in features and options to handle the toughest environments:

• Temp. range -40°C to +60°C
• Earthquake resistance
• Corrosion class up to C5m
• Wind resistance
• Ingress protection up to IP69K

What has made Alimak rack‑and‑pinion elevators so unique over the years is that the elevator cars climb on a guyed mast tower, resulting in a very slim installation profile. The mast is attached to the structure by ties. This unique access solution from Alimak offers almost no limit in height and enables installation in difficult‑to‑reach areas. Cost savings of more than 30% can be achieved without the need for an elevator shaft.

Rack‑and‑pinion technology is exceptionally well suited for outdoor installations, offering reliable performance in cold climates, high winds, and harsh industrial environments. With no reliance on enclosed shafts or sensitive overhead machinery, the system maintains consistent operation even in demanding weather conditions.

The same advantages also apply indoors, where the absence of a machine room and the flexibility to install without a shaft or rooftop structure provide greater freedom in placement and building design.

Factory pre‑assembled to ensure high assembly quality and easy installation, Alimak rack‑and‑pinion products offer unique benefits. The car and drive system are fully wired and tested at the factory before delivery. This ready‑to‑use package enables fast installation by avoiding time‑consuming and costly corrective work at the jobsite.

Rack‑and‑pinion technology enables virtually unlimited lifting heights. One of Alimak’s tallest installations reached 645 meters on the former Konstantynów Radio Mast in Poland, and the deepest installation extends 700 meters below ground in a mine in Mexico – an elevator record that remains in operation today.

Alimak rack‑and‑pinion solutions are engineered for exceptional payloads, supporting heavy equipment and demanding industrial logistics. The largest installation to date is a 24‑tonne elevator at the Royal Opera House, spacious enough to accommodate a full‑size truck, showcasing the system’s unmatched strength and structural flexibility.

Alimak rack‑and‑pinion elevators, hoists and platforms are inherently easy to retrofit thanks to their compact, self‑contained design. The system requires minimal interference with existing buildings or structures, as no shaft or machine room is needed. The mast tower is secured using simple tie‑ins, resulting in a very small structural impact.

With the primary load forces transferred directly to the ground, installations become far less demanding on the host structure – making retrofit projects faster, simpler, and highly adaptable across a wide range of environments.

Rack‑and‑pinion technology offers exceptional flexibility in environments where straight vertical travel is not possible. The system can be engineered to follow inclinations and gentle curves, enabling reliable transportation on structures with complex geometries or varying angles.

Alimak rack‑and‑pinion elevators equipped with a built‑in emergency lowering system enables controlled, gravity‑based descent during a power outage. This fail‑safe functionality ensures passengers can be brought safely to the nearest landing, maintaining reliable operation even in demanding industrial and construction environments.