Mark
September 28, 1999    

Horizontal Circular-type Metal-Pallet Moving Walkway Developed

Diagram of NKK's horizontal circular-type metal-pallet moving walkway
Diagram of NKK's horizontal circular-type metal-pallet moving walkway

NKK has begun marketing a new type of metal-pallet moving walkway. The walkway represents a conceptual revolution: changing the direction in which the metal pallets, on which people walk, move from the conventional vertical to horizontal, thereby offering considerable space and cost savings and greater layout flexibility.

Since supplying its first rubber-belt moving walkway--named "NK-Movelane"--to the Osaka Expo in 1970, NKK has sold 55 such walkways for use in airports, event sites, theme parks, ski resorts and hospitals. However, without a line-up of metal-pallet walkways to offer, NKK has been unable to access certain markets even though it has been a pioneer in the field. For example, use of rubber-belt walkways in subway and JR railway stations is banned under Japan's Fire Services Law.

To overcome this problem, NKK has developed the new metal-pallet walkway. The system offers the following advantages:

  • The number of components in the aluminum-alloy pallets (walking surface) is almost half that of the pallets in conventional systems.
  • Horizontal pallet circulation means the pit underneath the machine can be shallower, so the walkway can be installed on footbridges and other locations where space under the floor is limited.
  • The system can be installed "as is" on top of existing floors.
  • The flexible pallet structure offers more layout options.
  • The system can be adapted to curved routes and, by installing multiple drive units, be used for long-distance transportation.

Potential installation sites include airports, railway and subway stations, footbridges, exhibition sites, shopping malls, theme parks and business complexes.

With the addition of the new metal-pallet system to its conventional range of rubber-belt and accelerating moving walkways, NKK intends to vigorously market its products to serve an increasingly aging and welfare-oriented society in the coming century. The company is targeting sales exceeding ¥1 billion in 2001.

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