The Cornerstone to Our Success
Hollow connecting plates in an elevator rail system serve the crucial role of connecting and precisely aligning adjoining guide rail sections. They help maintain straight, stable rail joints, ensuring the elevator car and counterweight travel smoothly without vibration or misalignment. By reinforcing structural continuity and evenly distributing loads at the connection points, fish plates are essential for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the elevator.
| Aspect | Hollow Connecting Plates | Solid Connecting Plates |
| Structure | Formed or welded hollow / folded steel structure | One-piece solid steel plate |
| Manufacturing Process | Bending, stamping, or welding steel sheets | Machining or cutting from solid steel |
| Weight | Lighter, reduces system weight | Heavier |
| Mechanical Strength | Adequate for standard loads | Higher strength and rigidity |
| Resistance to Deformation | Moderate | Excellent |
| Impact & Vibration Resistance | Lower | Superior |
| Dimensional Stability | More sensitive to installation accuracy | Very stable |
| Cost | More economical | Higher material and processing cost |
| Installation Handling | Easier due to lower weight | Requires more handling effort |
| Typical Applications | Low- to mid-speed, medium-load elevators | High-speed, heavy-load, safety-critical elevators |
| Rail Compatibility | Commonly used with hollow guide rails | Commonly used with solid guide rails |
• Inspect all plates for damage, warping, or corrosion before installation.
• Confirm that brackets, bolts, and fasteners meet the project specifications.
• Check hoistway alignment, plumb, and dimensions to ensure compatibility with the hollow guide rails.
• Hollow plates are lighter but more susceptible to bending or twisting than solid plates.
• Always use proper lifting equipment or multiple personnel to avoid impact.
• Avoid dropping or dragging the plates on the floor.
• Install rail brackets first, ensuring they are level, plumb, and securely anchored.
• Confirm that bracket spacing matches the elevator design requirements.
• Place the hollow connecting plate between rail sections.
• Use shims or alignment tools to maintain proper spacing and vertical alignment.
• Check that all mating surfaces are clean and flush before fastening.
• Use high-strength bolts per manufacturer specifications.
• Tighten bolts gradually and evenly to prevent plate distortion.
• Avoid over-torquing, which can deform the hollow structure.
• Verify vertical and lateral alignment of the connected rails after tightening.
• Check for smooth rail continuity and ensure no gaps at joints.
• Confirm that safety tolerances meet EN 81, ASME A17.1, or local elevator standards.
• Slowly run the elevator car for a test travel to detect vibrations or misalignment.
• Re-check all bolts and plate integrity after initial operation.
• Schedule periodic inspections to monitor potential deformation or wear.
