Lift or lifting platform?

1. Difference between a lift and a lifting platform

Choosing the right vertical transportation system for your needs is essential for the success of a project, as is the choice of every other element that makes it up. Elevators and lifting platforms differ not only in terms of the regulations that apply to them, but also in terms of technical and installation aspects.

Among the main differences, we can mention:

• elevator: it always has a cabin and cabin doors; it can serve buildings with many floors and transport many people; it requires adequate pit and headroom; it may or may not have a machine room and can be hydraulic, electric, self-regenerating battery-powered electric like our Zen-0 elevator;
• lifting platform: it can be without a cabin and cabin doors; it doesn’t need a machine room; it allows you to overcome small differences in height and travel up to 4/6 floors; it requires reduced pit and headroom; it has hydraulic, electric or self-regenerating battery-powered electric operation like our Mangusta and Miniwatt platforms.

2. ARE elevator lifts and lifting platforms

Going into detail about our energy saving technologies, we summarize the characteristics of elevator lifts and ARE lifting platforms in this table.

	A.R.E. platform	A.R.E. elevator
Regulatory compliance	Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC	EN 81-20/50:2014
Environmental sustainability	Guaranteed in all our models	Guaranteed in all our models
Areas of installation/use	Domestic environments, apartment buildings, offices or public spaces, both indoors and outdoors with limited traffic	Domestic environments, apartment buildings, offices or public spaces, both indoors and outdoors
Depth of the pit	A 130 to 150 mm excavation is sufficient, depending on the model	1050 mm
Machine rooms	None	None
Load capacity	Up to 500 kg	Up to 630 kg
Speed	0.15 m/s	Up to 0.8 m/s
Power	Single-phase 230V line, already present in all buildings	Single-phase 230V line, already present in all buildings
Degree of customization	Customized	Customized
Other characteristics	Ideal for small spaces; easy to install; versatile; simple to install; possibility to continue using the elevator even in case of power failure (anti-blackout); recovery of energy produced during use	Gearless motor; the technology allows part of the energy produced during use to be used for subsequent trips; possibility of continuing to use the elevator even in the event of a power outage (anti-blackout); standard switch mode

Below, we are going to analyze in greater depth some of the aspects that distinguish elevators and lifting platforms in making a building fully accessible with specific functionality and technical characteristics.

3. Lifting platform or elevator: the ARE solution for every space

The first distinctive aspect of lifting systems is the relevant legislation. Specifically:

• the regulations for lifting platforms is the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
• , which, among other things, limits their ascent speed to 0.15 m/s;
• regulations for lifts refer to the European standards UNI EN 81-20/50:2014 which establish the “safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts”.

On this basis, the design and development of ARE lifts and lifting platforms are guided by constant research towards maximum environmental sustainability and maximum customer satisfaction. But what does this mean in practice?

All our models have the capacity to autonomously produce part of their energy thanks to ARE SMART POWER technology: a self-regenerating battery system that stores the energy that is normally dispersed in the form of heat during operation. In this way we guarantee a significant reduction in the costs of supplying resources, while improving the efficiency of the system.

But that’s not all! Our lifts use a power comparable to that needed to operate a common household appliance. Furthermore, they can be connected to photovoltaic panels to exploit the renewable energy produced by the sun. These elements, together with the total absence of lubricants, allow us to talk about real eco-sustainability and respect for the environment.

But what also makes ARE lifts and lifting platforms unique is the maximum customization of design: each of our systems is designed according to the customer’s needs to perfectly meet their mobility and design requirements. So if you decide to rely on us and our dealers, you’ll have all the care and attention necessary to transform your needs into functional solutions with low environmental and energy impact. All this will integrate harmoniously into your home thanks to the possibility of choosing between different materials, finishes and accessories.

It’s time to go into more detail about the advantages offered by our products.

4. ARE electric platforms: all the advantages

• They are versatile and easy to install.
• They are ideal for small spaces, to the point that they can be placed even where an elevator would not normally fit.
• Perfectly suited for domestic environments, they can also be used inside apartment buildings, offices or public spaces, both inside and outside the building.
• They do not require the creation of deep pits for installation: a 150 mm excavation below the floor of the lower floor served is sufficient.
• The absence of machine rooms allows maximum design freedom both in the case of renovations and in the case of new buildings.
• They can be equipped with or without doors in the cabin depending on the model and functionality.
• They have a capacity of up to 500 kg depending on the model.
• They work with the single-phase 230V line already present in all buildings.
• They have an energy recovery system as standard.
• They are equipped with an anti-blackout system that guarantees up to 60 runs depending on the model.
• They allow for multiple customization options.

5. ARE electric lifts: all the advantages

• They have a greater than normal load capacity (6/8 people) compared to lifting platforms.
• They have a higher speed of movement compared to lifting platforms.
• They can cover a travel distance of up to 30,000 mm.
• They are suitable for the most different uses: from domestic and condominium use to any workspace, both public and private.
• They guarantee perfect integration with the surrounding environment.
• They can be powered by a 230V line, like a normal household appliance, without having to upgrade the meter.
• They use part of the energy produced during use for subsequent trips.
• They are equipped with an anti-blackout system that guarantees up to 40 trips.
• They allow maximum freedom of choice in terms of size and finish.

6. Functionality, design and energy saving: the strength of ARE elevators and lifting platforms

It is often thought that the installation of elevators and lifting platforms is difficult, as well as being a disturbance to residents. This belief persists and is reinforced in the case of building renovations or refurbishments. The solutions we have described so far, however, demonstrate that it is possible to meet the highest standards of safety and reliability in any environment with the advantage of energy sustainability and impeccable design. It is precisely in the maximum freedom of choice that the strength of our energy-saving models lies.

We design lifts and lifting platforms together with our customers to best express the potential and characteristics of each space. For this reason, choosing between an ARE lift or electric platform means opting between two lifting systems designed with the utmost accuracy, based on the specific needs of each customer. We provide the knowledge, you provide the spaces.