Escalator and Moving Walk Systems: Inspection, Maintenance, and Diagnostics
Designed for advancing technicians, this course delivers comprehensive instruction in the operational theory, inspection routines, and mechanical maintenance of modern escalators and moving walks. Students examine truss structures, drive machinery, braking systems, step and pallet assemblies, handrail drives, and safety switches. Emphasis is placed on identifying mechanical wear, verifying dynamic stopping distances according to standard deceleration criteria, and executing preventative maintenance tasks safely in public-transit and commercial environments. Through targeted theoretical analysis and realistic laboratory exercises, learners practice step removal, combplate impact device calibration, skirt clearance measurement, and chain tension adjustments. In addition, diagnostic protocols focus on intermittent electrical faults and vibration analysis across continuous-motion conveyances. Technicians complete a comprehensive capstone service project, integrating maintenance records, safety audits, and mechanical overhaul procedures to prepare equipment for full-load operational readiness under strict adherence to standard safety codes.
InstructorJacob CalhounCourse outline
Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.
Syllabus
["Week 1: Lesson 1: Introduction to Escalator and Moving Walk Layout, Trusses, and Mechanical Architecture", "Week 2: Lesson 2: Main Drive Machinery, Bull Gears, and Tension Carriage Assemblies", "Week 3: Lesson 3: Step and Pallet Construction, Track Geometry, and Guide Systems", "Week 4: Hands-on Lab: Step Removal, Roller Inspection, and Track Alignment Procedures", "Week 5: Lesson 5: Handrail Drive Mechanisms, Guides, and Speed Synchronization", "Week 6: Lesson 6: Electrical Safety Switches: Combplate, Skirt, and Step Sag Devices", "Week 7: Lesson 7: Operational and Auxiliary Brakes: Mechanical Design and Friction Tolerances", "Week 8: Hands-on Lab: Combplate Impact Device Testing and Skirt-to-Step Clearance Verification", "Week 9: Lesson 9: Controllers, Variable Frequency Drives, and Directional Interlocks", "Week 10: Lesson 10: Automatic Lubrication Systems, Oil Degradation, and Drive Chain Servicing", "Week 11: Hands-on Lab: Brake Adjustment, Dynamic Stopping Distance Measurement, and Deceleration Analysis", "Week 12: Lesson 12: Periodic Code Inspections, Acceptance Criteria, and Safety Audits", "Week 13: Lesson 13: Troubleshooting Erratic Stops, Drive Vibrations, and Component Wear", "Week 14: Capstone Service Project: Comprehensive Safety Audit and Mechanical Overhaul Simulation"]