MCE’s Freedom™ MRL-MB (Machine Beam) series has received State of California compliance approval...		MCE and Imperial Electric offer a cost competitive, green elevator modernization solution...		Now through September 2010, the Motion 2000 Hydraulic Controller is $3500...
Read more >>		Read more >>		Read more >>

More News

MCE Offers Discount Parts Pricing in Third Quarter of 2010
MCE is pleased to offer special discount parts pricing through September 30, 2010...
Read more >>

MCE Obtains Seismic Certification and OSHPD Pre-Approvals
If you are involved in elevator installations, you’ve no doubt heard about the OSHPD anchorage calculations...
Read more >>

Hydraulic Elevators — Still Going Strong
Environmental impact, slow speeds, and noisy operation have been the drum beat on the march toward the inevitable extinction of the hydraulic elevator...
Read more >>

Elevator Management in the 21st Century: The Shift to Enterprise Monitoring
Traditional elevator monitoring at MCE and other elevator control companies has long focused on monitoring elevator-specific activity through a dedicated station...
Read more >>

MCE CET Certified Training Classes
NAEC’s Education Committee has “CET” certified all MCE training classes...
Read more >>

MCE Web Site Provides Quick Access to Customer Service
Our web site now provides faster, more streamlined responses to customer requests...
Read more >>

Remaining 2010 Tradeshow Schedule for MCE and Kinetek
Read more >>

In the News

MCE’s Freedom Elevators Receive California Compliance Approval

MCE’s Freedom™ MRL- MB (Machine Beam) series has received State of California compliance approval. In order to gain California approval, MCE demonstrated that Freedom™ MRL- MB series met the strictest building codes in the United States, including seismic “shake” tests. Gaining the State of California compliance approval means that building owners and architects are free to choose MCE’s complete elevator solutions for their new construction projects. Freedom™ MRL – MB series follows the core philosophy MCE established nearly 30 years ago: design non-proprietary elevator equipment that is serviceable and maintainable by any qualified elevator maintenance provider. Right from the universal hoistway specs, Freedom™ enables competitive bidding and makes post-bid hoistway redesign completely unnecessary. For more information on the Freedom™ product line, or to request a copy of MCE’s California approval, call 800-444-7442 x545 or visit our website at www.mceinc.com/freedom.

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MCE and Imperial Electric Offer Exceptional Go Green/Save Green ACPM Modernization Package!

MCE and Imperial Electric have joined together to offer a cost competitive, green elevator modernization solution for 1:1 geared machine replacement applications.

The Go Green/Save Green Motion 4000 Mod Package features a Motion 4000 AC traction controller from MCE and a 525-LS ACPM machine from Imperial Electric. The combination of these highly efficient, state-of-the-art products provides an extremely cost effective modernization solution for existing low speed 1:1 geared applications. Saving money is just the beginning of the green benefits received with MCE’s Motion 4000 ACPM modernization package. No lubrication oil is required, and in tests where Imperial Electric replaced geared AC machines with gearless AC machines, there was further significant environmental benefits: a 24% reduction in overall power consumption, heat impact was reduced by 17%, and noise impact was reduced by 22%.

Combined with an optional regenerative drive, the Motion 4000 modernization package solution can return regenerative power to the building utility system. This feature is just another benefit of the “green” design philosophy practiced by MCE and Imperial Electric.

For more information about the Go Green/Save Green modernization package, contact your MCE sales representative today.

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Motion 2000 Hydraulic Control – Special Promotional Price

Now through September 2010, the Motion 2000 Hydraulic Controller is $3500*. Add battery lowering for only $800 more.

The Motion 2000 Controller includes:

• Seimens solid state starter – 6/12 leads
• Up to 40hp, up to 480VAC
• CE electronics board
• EECO mechanical limit switches (including hoistway access)
• Latest ASME A17.1 code
• Landing system/selector
• Latest generation, MCE controller
• Non-proprietary

For more information contact your sales representative or Orlando Turner 916-463-9306.

*Additional costs applicable for above 40hp, rear openings and other features as required.

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MCE Offers Discount Parts Pricing in Third Quarter of 2010

MCE is pleased to offer special discount parts pricing through September 30, 2010!

The parts discount promotion is valid on all components and drives manufactured by MCE that are purchased and shipped during the third quarter of 2010. This is just one way for us to recognize our loyal customers, and provide extra support for their business efforts through the third quarter of 2010. The discount pricing offer is tiered so customers who place larger orders will receive a higher discount, and they can use the discount code repeatedly until September 30, 2010.

The discount levels are as follows:

• $0 to $1,500 order — 7.5% off
• $1,501 to $5,000 order — 10% off
• $5,001 to $15,000 order — 15% off
• $15,001 and above — 20% off

To take advantage of this discount pricing, the discount code MPD10 must accompany your order. This program will be offered beginning July 1, 2010 for orders placed and shipped from MCE through September 30, 2010. Discount pricing is not valid on purchases pre-dating this offer and cannot be applied with any other discounts.

For questions, or to place an order, please contact MCE’s technical support group at 916-463-9200 or email parts@mceinc.com.

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MCE Obtains Seismic Certification and OSHPD Pre-Approvals 
 

If you are involved in elevator installations in medical facilities in California, you’ve no doubt heard about the OSHPD anchorage calculations and special seismic certification requirements. Due to the introduction of new concepts by the 2007 California Building Code (CBC) and ASCE/SEI 7-05 for the seismic design of nonstructural components, which were aimed at improving the performance of essential nonstructural systems that may be subject to strong ground shaking, Special Seismic Certification and/or anchorage calculations are now required for certain equipment and components.

To summarize, any non-rugged mechanical and electrical equipment that must remain operable following an earthquake must have the Special Seismic Certification done based on approved shake table testing performed by a qualified, ISO-accredited, independent testing laboratory. The test reports must be prepared by a registered design professional, and reviewed and accepted by an independent California licensed structural engineer. Furthermore, anchorage calculations performed by a California-licensed structural engineer must be provided for all wall-mounted equipment weighing over 20 pounds, and all floor-mounted equipment weighing more than 400 pounds. These may be in the form of project-specific submittals to OSHPD or pre-approvals.

In response to demand from the elevator industry, MCE has obtained the Special Seismic Certifications, as well as the OSHPD pre-approvals to meet the equipment anchorage requirements, for all standard control equipment.

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Hydraulic Elevators — Still Going Strong
By: Clint Spencer, MCE Technical Writer

Environmental impact, slow speeds, and noisy operation have been the drum beat on the march toward the inevitable extinction of the hydraulic elevator. However, in spite of its critics and in spite of the invasion of its market segment by MRLs, hydraulic elevators continue to enjoy strong sales numbers. New containment measures and less toxic hydraulic fluids at least partially mitigate environmental hazards. Low speeds are not a major concern when the destination is just a few floors away. Improved control and better isolation soften noise. But, above all else, hydraulic installations still enjoy low initial cost and longer run time per maintenance dollar spent.

When MCE fielded its new controller line, the Motion series, both hydraulic and traction models were introduced. Continuous demand for new hydraulic controls dictated that the Motion 2000 Hydraulic Elevator Control be given the same careful attention as its traction sibling.

Respecting the cost-sensitive hydraulic market, Motion 2000 is very competitively priced. In addition, MCE incorporated design features that ensure a long service life and low maintenance costs. For example, most Motion 2000 circuit boards are simple, two layer construction with virtually all solid-state, non-wearing components. The few remaining code-mandated relays are of the highest quality and are socketed rather than soldered — so that, when they do wear out, you can simply plug in a replacement rather than replace a board. Inputs, outputs, and power traces are protected or fused so that accidental brushes with a conductor or incorrect connections do not destroy permanent board components.

The number of circuit boards used in each controller has been kept to a minimum, a control processor, a hydraulic interface board, a universal I/O board, and a “hub” board to connect them are the basic building blocks. A single, “telephone jack” style cable connects each board to the hub. If you need a lot of discrete I/O, you can add I/O boards (each is 16 in/16 out or 16 in/out for call boards — the I/O boards are all the same, you just set a DIP switch to suit the need).

Each control may be operated as a simplex, duplexed with a second Motion 2000, or dispatched by a very compact group controller (up to six cars in a group). Traditional, discrete call I/O is standard, serial car and serial hall calls are available.

MCE continues to invest in the future of hydraulic elevators, anticipating that lower installation and maintenance costs along with traditional reliability will make them a viable product for years to come.

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Elevator Management in the 21st Century: The Shift to Enterprise Monitoring

Traditional elevator monitoring at MCE and other elevator control companies has long focused on monitoring elevator-specific activity through a dedicated station for the benefit of maintenance mechanics, property managers and security personnel.

Today, traditional monitoring is shifting away from focus on single or group/family components. Building owners, property managers and universities now look to manage their locations at an enterprise level. With the introduction of the “Smart Building” concept, owners prefer to utilize one system to monitor and manage multiple (dissimilar) environmental components over Local Area Networks and Wide Area Networks. This is accomplished through diverse open communication protocols, including Niagara AX, BACnet, LONworks & Modbus.

HVAC controls have historically been the main aspect of a building system that was managed by system integration specialists. This has changed dramatically in recent years. Today, most all processor based control systems typically found in multi-story buildings are integrated into the building system, including environmental controls, lighting controls, fire alarm monitoring, standby generators, utility meters, card access, CCTV… and now, elevators.

MCE has formed a partnership with Gemini Integration Services, a leading developer in the building management industry. Between MCE and Gemini, we have developed remote elevator monitoring and control with an open communication protocol that allows owners to easily integrate the elevator systems into their Enterprise level building management system. All configurations are managed through a common web browser with a few simple clicks of a mouse.

MCE remote monitoring provides not just a look at elevator status, but also the ability to interact with the elevator system, including the option to take elevator cars safely out of service. This feature plays directly into the concept of Energy Management and LEED certification considerations. With utility company “demand response” requirements for reduction of energy consumption, the new smart building philosophy allows building management personnel to work directly with the utility company to strategically manage the elevator load shed throughout their buildings. It is estimated that elevators can account for as much as 5% of building energy load, which until now has not been considered in demand response initiatives.

Another common use for this remote control option is to incorporate building-wide and enterprise-wide strategies to combat security threats. Secure access — managed via the building management system allows intricate strategies to be devised and deployed to enable sophisticated control by first responders.

Remote, enterprise level monitoring is only the beginning of new capabilities being developed for elevator interactivity. MCE’s monitoring partner, Gemini, is a leader in the utilization of Tridium based technology. Tridium’s sophisticated hardware and software capability enable Ethernet connectivity to diverse elements. Further capabilities include power consumption monitoring, card reader security interface and remote lighting control triggered through elevator usage. The possibilities for savings and control are potentially limitless.

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MCE CET Certified Training Classes

NAEC’s Education Committee has “CET” certified all MCE training classes taking place at both our California and New York facilities. The IMC & PTC Installation & Troubleshooting classes each equal 14.0 CET contact hours; the Motion 2000 and Motion 4000 training classes each equal 14.5 CET contact hours; and the iControl training class equals 15.0 CET contact hours.

MCE’s factory technical training classes provide a better working knowledge of installation, operation, and maintenance practices for MCE controls, and include classroom training, hands-on labs, one-on-one time with MCE instructors, and small group sessions – all providing an effective learning environment to maximize information retention. Specific class instruction covers elevator controller functions, computer diagnostic tools, job print reading, signal tracing, selector systems, sequence of operation problems, rotary equipment concerns and induced and stray voltages. For added convenience, customers can register online or contact Blake Currier at 916-463-9214. Class schedules for 2010 are as follows:

iControl- Installation & Troubleshooting

California: Jul 12, 13; Sept 13, 14; Nov 15, 16

New York: Jul 19, 20; Sept 13, 14; Nov 15, 16

Motion 2000/4000- Installation & Troubleshooting

California: Aug 9, 10; Oct 4, 5; Dec 6, 7

New York: Jul 21, 22; Sept 15, 16; Nov 17, 18

IMC/PTC-Installation & Troubleshooting

California: Aug 23, 24; Oct 25, 26

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MCE Web Site Provides Quick Access to Customer Service

Our web site now provides faster, more streamlined responses to customer requests. You can now link directly to the support area you need! We encourage our customers to use the following links:

• For technical support, please contact techsupport@mceinc.com.
• For change orders and/or modifications to existing controllers in the field, please contact modifications@mceinc.com.
• For parts’ price and availability, please contact parts@mceinc.com.

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Remaining 2010 Tradeshow Schedule for MCE and Kinetek:
 

• BOMA: Long Beach, California, June 28 - 29
• NAEC: Cincinnati, Ohio, September 29 - 30

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