The world’s finest

Microprocessor Elevator Controllers!

Reliable rov en,
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tilizes ial-duty
U ustr able
ind gramm rs!
Affordable pro ntrolle
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Easy To Maintain

DC SCR Drive Controller Vector Drive Controller

Mid-American Elevator
Mid-American Microprocessor Control Systems—
the most advanced technology in the industry!
Affordable And Cost Effective
• The initial cost of Mid-American equipment is always
competitive with equivalent systems from other control
manufacturers. We let the expert engineers at GE Fanuc
or Allen-Bradley do the expensive microprocessor and
motor-drive R&D and pass the savings on to you!
• The use of all commercially available components ensures
that you can buy replacement parts at low open market
prices, not high single-source prices.
• Highly reliable industrial-duty programmable controllers
ensure that expensive downtime, callbacks, replacements
and repairs are kept to an absolute minimum.
• Your installed cost of our new Vector drive controller
and motors is less than similar systems using DC SCR
drives or Generator Field Control and motor generator sets.
Available With A Wide Variety
Of Motor Control Systems
• Variable Frequency “Vector”
AC drives—the “hot set-up”
for geared elevators!
• DC SCR drives—excellent for
retrofit of high-speed
gearless cars
• Generator Field Control—
retain motor-generators in
good condition and reduce
your renovation cost
• Hydraulic elevators
Generator
Field Control Vector Drive
Custom Designed For Your Project
• We double-check our design against your specifications,
layouts and engineering data to ensure that you’re
getting exactly the system that’s required.
• Unique color-coded CAD generated drawings for every
project
• Our specialty is production of control systems with
special or unusual features—explosion proof, rack &
pinion, escalators and people movers.
• Our systems are particularly suited for elevator renova-
tions of any type.
• Freight elevator controllers with integrated power freight
door controls minimize installation time and improve
system reliability.
• Prison elevators with special security features
• High-rise, high-speed or automatic load/unload dumb-
waiters
• Extra large elevator systems
• Automated people mover systems
High Performance Speed Control
And Dispatching Logic
• Car speeds to 1,000 FPM (5.0 meters/second)
• Any possible load capacity—we’ve done systems to
500,000 lbs. capacity
• Closed loop speed and position control for “direct
approach” and excellent floor-to-floor times
• Up to 12 car groups with efficient real time analysis
using both multiple-dynamic zoning and estimated time
of arrival algorithms
Fully Documented, Open Systems
• Unlike MCE or Swift, we provide complete annotated
program ladder logic listings to our customers. You
can have access to, and an understanding of, the actual
computer control program.
• Complete programmable controller, motor drive and
overall control system installation, maintenance, trouble-
shooting and programming information is included with
all systems.
• An easy-to-learn programming system allows you to
learn, in a very short time, to access the PLC program
with a laptop computer to monitor and troubleshoot the
elevator control system.
• Based on standard industrial programmable logic
controllers (PLCs) from GE Fanuc or Allen-Bradley. Other
brands are available on special request.
Introducing The “Vector” Drive
• We highly recommend consideration of our new “Vector”
drive for new and retrofit installations. This latest tech-
nology flux vector, variable voltage, variable frequency
drive can be utilized on almost any AC motor, new or
2
 CAD Generated Color Schematic
old, single or two speed.
• The Vector drive will provide performance equivalent to
the best DC systems. Digital speed and position feedback
provides excellent operation to 500 FPM.
• Unlike the Dynalift or similar variable voltage AC
systems, the Vector drive does not require a two-speed
motor, does not generate large amounts of excess motor
heat, and does not require a loud, high maintenance
blower fan on the motor.
• The Vector drive’s digital electronics provide fast
adjustment and its high switching frequency generates
almost no audible noise.
• Mid-American can provide matching motors and geared
elevator machines with our Vector drive control systems.
Loaded With Features
• CAD generated, color-coded, electrical schematics
• Simple PLC program modification in the field with a
standard IBM compatible laptop computer
• Heavy-duty NEMA 12 enclosures with lifting hooks,
locking doors and airtight gasketing
• Extensive use of resettable circuit breakers to isolate
circuits for easy troubleshooting
• All input and output points have separate, clearly
marked LED indicators.
• Clearly marked terminal blocks are accessible and easy to
wire.
• All relays and contacts are DIN rail mounted for easy
inspection and replacement.
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• All panel components are easily accessible and replace-
able from the front of the controller.
• Every panel is completely tested before shipment.
• Concerned and comprehensive after sale service and
support that is unmatched in the industry.
Available Options
• NEMA 12, 4, 4X hazardous location systems available
• Cartop selectors, terminal limit switches, solid-state load-
weighing devices available
• Special security systems or operation
• Microsoft Windows-based Machine Room and Remote
Diagnostics and Monitoring Systems
• AC or DC hoist motors and geared machines
• Mid-American can provide partial or complete elevator
equipment packages for export.
Proven On A Wide Variety
Of Projects
• VA hospitals
• Government and private high-rise office buildings
• US Post Office
• Transit stations and public housing projects
• Major elevator renovation projects
 The Mid-American Advantage
Practical Programmable Elevator Controllers
Like other independent elevator
contractors, we realize that to
remain competitive with Otis,
Schindler, Kone and Thyssen, we
must offer our customers more
innovative products and services.
One area that was particularly
necessary for our installation
and renovation business during
the past 15 years was having
a good microprocessor-based
control system.
Our experience with several
microprocessor systems purchased
from other controller manufactur-
ers for our new elevator installa-
tions and in the renovation
of geared and gearless elevators
in mid-rise buildings was not
satisfactory. The systems were
single source proprietary comput-
Controller with GFC
ers designed as dedicated elevator
controllers, offering limited flexibility. We found that repairs
or modifications to the microcomputer hardware or software
could only be made by the manufacturer. This was often
expensive and generally had a three or four day turnaround
time, frequently causing excessive downtime on our eleva-
tors. The systems were sometimes impossible to troubleshoot,
and our maintenance mechanics, adjusters and engineers got
tired of working with a “black box” whose operation they
would never fully understand.
As an alternative, we decided to design and build our
own controllers. We began by selecting as the main element
of the control system, a general purpose industrial-duty
microcomputer made by the Square D Company. When we
started in 1984, the Square D Symax 300 programmable
controller offered an excellent combination of features and
cost. After three years of research, development and on-site
testing on a wide variety of elevator installations in Chicago,
our new control systems performed beyond our expectations.
At that time, we felt that this “open system” controller
would be equally valuable to other independent contractors,
and we began to sell our systems to other independent
elevator companies nationwide.
In the succeeding years we have utilized other brands
of programmable controllers as various manufacturers have
improved their PLC’s price/performance ratio and added
features that have proven valuable in specific applications.
Programmable controller brands we support include GE Fanuc
and Allen-Bradley. These systems have proven reliable and
maintainable.
We recently installed these controllers with GE PLCs on
the Space Shuttle launch tower at the Kennedy Space Center
where the PLCs are recognized for reliability and maintain-
ability.
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The Heart of the System
What makes our control systems superior to others on the
market today is the use of highly advanced and versatile
“Programmable Logic Controllers” (PLCs) from GE Fanuc
and Allen-Bradley as the main logic element of all of our
elevator control systems. Programmable logic controllers
are industrial-duty general purpose microcomputers,
originally developed for the machine tool industry. The
use of PLCs offers independent elevator contractors a
number of important advantages…
Proven Performance—Each of these PLC brands has literally
thousands of successful industrial installations throughout
the United States in factory automation, machine tools
and process control applications. Mid-American has sold or
installed hundreds of PLC control systems.
Reliability—Designed to have high tolerance to heat,
humidity, dirt and electrical interference, our control systems
operate trouble-free in the worst possible machine room
environment. They are hardened for temperature tolerance,
power line noise, radio frequency interference, high humidity
and physical abuse. They are designed for rapid troubleshooting
and parts replacement.
Easy To Maintain—Troubleshooting and start-up are greatly
simplified with our programmable controller systems. All
inputs to the computer system from buttons and switches,
and outputs from the system to lights, relays and the motor
drive, are individually monitored with a clearly marked
LED. Modular design of the PLC allows replacement of any
component in only a few minutes.
Access To The Control Program—While understanding
of or access to the program is not necessary to install or
troubleshoot the system, the control program is completely
available to our customers. Written in an easy-to-understand
“Relay Ladder Logic,” a language that is very similar to
contact and coil hardwired
relay schematics, it can be
learned in only a couple
of days by your elevator
mechanics or engineers.
Upon execution of a license
Programmable Logic Controller agreement, Mid-American
will provide a fully docu-
mented copy of the program to the purchaser.
Easy To Monitor—Real time logical power flow from the inputs,
through the program logic to the outputs can be graphically
monitored on a laptop computer. The program can actually be
“watched” while it’s running the elevator.
Field Reprogrammable—All of these programmable
controllers have the flexibility to be quickly and easily field
reprogrammed to meet specific job requirements. With our
systems, it is never necessary to wait weeks or even days for a
new “chip” to arrive from the factory to make a small change
in the operation of the elevator.
Parts Availability—GE and Allen-Bradley distributors are
located in every major U.S. city and numerous locations
worldwide. These distributors carry a complete stock of
PLC components.
 Machine Room and Remote Elevator
Diagnostics & Monitoring Systems
Mid-American Elevator now offers an elevator diagnostic and monitoring system that utilizes
a standard IBM compatible computer in the elevator machine room and, optionally, additional
central station or display computers located in the elevator contractor’s office, the building
manager’s office, and/or the elevator lobby. The system provides instantaneous notification
UTILIZE TOMORROW'S TECHNOLOGY TODAY

of elevator malfunctions. Sophisticated diagnostics allows immediate identification of the

problem and rapid repair. Advanced traffic analysis ensures that your system is tuned and
serving the building with optimum efficiency.
The system includes the following features:

Complete graphical displays of the status of each elevator group.

An overview screen showing Screens from Remote Monitoring System

the status of all elevators in
the system.

Detection of up to 64 different
elevator faults.

Faults are logged to screen,

printer and hard disk.

Historical fault reports

selected/sorted by elevator
number, date, time, fault or
building.

When there is a system fault,

the machine room computer
will notify the central station
computer.

Central station operators can

call any machine room in the
system to check the status of
elevator and view graphical
display of group operation.

Troubleshooting help for

Mid-American systems.

Electrical schematics on screen

(optional).

PLC programming software installed for monitoring or

modifying PLC programs in that machine room (optional).

Utilizes standard commercially available control and computer

components.

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 CONTROL SYSTEM QUOTATION REQUEST
(Photocopy and complete this page, and return it to the address listed below.)

DATE ____________________________________ BID DUE _______________________________

CUSTOMER ____________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
PHONE __________________________________ FAX ____________________________________
PROJECT ____________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
GEARED GEARLESS HYDRAULIC 2 SPD AC
VECTOR DC SCR GFC
STOPS _________ SPEED _________ CAPACITY _________
NUMBER OF OPENINGS: FRONT ___________ REAR ____________
SIMPLEX DUPLEX CAR GROUP SPECIAL
(Make comment below)

NEW INSTALLATION RENOVATION REUSE MOTOR REUSE MG

MOTOR DATA: MG DATA:

MFR. ___________________________________ MFR. ___________________________________
RPM _______ HP ______ MODEL _______ KW _______ MODEL ______ VAC _________
VOLTAGE __________ AMPS ____________ VDC _________ FL DC AMPS ___________
BUILDING FEEDER VOLTAGE ______________ VAC _____________________________________

SPECIAL FEATURES OR OTHER COMMENTS ON JOB CONDITIONS: _____________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

FOR OUR NEW CUSTOMERS

Special Introductory Offer
On your initial order for a complete traction system, our engineers will provide two
days training on adjustment and troubleshooting of our systems at your job site.
As an added bonus, on your first order for at least two traction elevator controllers,
we will include an IBM compatible laptop computer with installed programming
software at no additional charge.

For all the details or a job quotation contact Rob Bailey or Peter Pold at:

Mid-American Elevator Equipment Co., Inc.

820 N. Wolcott Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60622
Phone: 773/486-6900 • Fax: 773/486-2438
e-mail: sales@mid-americanelevator.com • www.mid-americanelevator.com
www.spacesaverparking.com • www.usahoist.com