The Cornerstone to Our Success
(For Solid Rails, Hollow Rails, and Close-End Hollow Rails)
Elevator guide rails are structural components direct the movement of both the car and the counterweight. Their design, machining precision, and installation quality directly affect the elevator’s safety, stability, and riding comfort.
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of 3 main types of guide rails—Solid Rails, Hollow Rails, and Close-End Hollow Rails—to assist with proper selection and application.
Elevator guide rails serve the following key functions:
Guide Movement: Direct the elevator car and counterweight along the shaft.
Resist Overturning Forces: Withstand lateral loads caused by offset loads or car movement.
Enable Safety Gear Engagement: Provide a reliable surface for the safety gear to grip during overspeed or free fall events.
Provide Structural Support: Serve as a rigid path for the car frame and counterweight structure.
Improper selection or installation of guide rails can lead to sway, vibration, noise, or even safety hazards during operation.
| Type | Cross-Section | Strength | Weight | Machining Accuracy | Typical Applications |
| Solid Rail | Solid body | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | High-rise, heavy-duty, high-speed elevators |
| Hollow Rail | Hollow rectangular | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | Mid/low-speed elevators, retrofit shafts |
| Close-End Hollow Rail | Hollow with sealed ends | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | Dust-prone or foreign-object-sensitive shafts |
Solid rails offer high rigidity and machining precision—ideal for demanding environments.
Hollow rails reduce weight and improve installation efficiency—suitable for compact or cost-sensitive projects.
Guide rails should be selected based on car load (Q), rated speed (V), and travel height (H):
Low-speed elevators (≤1.0 m/s): Hollow or close-end hollow rails are sufficient for basic guidance.
Mid-speed elevators (1.0–2.5 m/s): Cold-drawn or machined hollow rails are recommended.
High-speed elevators (≥2.5 m/s): Precision-machined solid rails are preferred to prevent sway or resonance at high velocity.
National standards require vertical deviation ≤ 1/1000 and flatness deviation ≤ 2 mm.
Solid rails are easier to align vertically due to their higher rigidity.
Hollow rails require additional support brackets and laser alignment tools to ensure verticality.
Solid rails are typically planed/machined, with surface roughness ≤ Ra 3.2μm.
Hollow rails are fabricated through welding and shaping, and can be surface-treated with:
1. Anti-rust oil / powder coating
2. Hot-dip galvanizing (for humid or coastal environments)
Close-end hollow rails prevent debris entry, improving operational safety and reducing maintenance frequency.
All rail segments should be joined with high-strength fishplates using M10 or M12 bolts.
Dowels or positioning pins are recommended for high-speed elevators to prevent misalignment.
Support brackets should be engineered using finite element analysis to ensure proper spacing and load-bearing, usually ≤ 2.0m.
Elevator guide rails should comply with relevant international or regional standards:
| Standard | Title | Application |
| ISO 7465 | Guide Rails for Elevators | General international standard |
| EN 81-20 / 81-50 | European Elevator Safety Norms | Mandatory in the EU market |
| GB 7588 / GB T10058 | Chinese National Elevator Standards | For domestic China applications |
| ASME A17.1 | North American Elevator Code | For exports to the US and Canada |
Manufacturers should also provide:
1. ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications
2. Material composition reports
3. Mechanical property tests (tensile strength, hardness)
4. Third-party inspection reports on rail straightness and tolerances
| Project Type | Recommended Rail | Reason |
| High-rise buildings / High-speed elevators | Solid Rails | Maximum rigidity and alignment |
| Retrofit elevators / mid-rise buildings | Hollow Rails | Lightweight, easy to install |
| Hospitals / subways / industrial facilities | Close-End Hollow Rails | Prevent dust/debris intrusion |
| Freight elevators / car lifts | Reinforced Solid Rails | High load resistance |
Elevator guide rails are critical to safety and performance. And selecting the right type depends on factors like load, speed, and shaft conditions. Xihao provides reliable, precision-engineered guide rails—solid, hollow, and close-end hollow—that meet international standards and suit a wide range of applications. Trust Xihao for stable performance, consistent quality, and expert support.
