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Innovation1995

Stannah Starla

Revolutionary curved rail technology for complex staircases.

Manufacturer: Stannah Stairlifts

exhibit-stannah-starla.jpg

About This Exhibit

The Stannah Starla, introduced in 1995, solved one of the stairlift industry's biggest challenges: curved staircases. While straight-rail stairlifts had been refined over decades, curved stairs required an entirely different approach.

The Starla used a custom-manufactured rail, precision-bent to match the exact contours of each staircase. A sophisticated carriage system with multiple wheels maintained smooth operation around corners, landings, and spiral sections.

Each Starla installation began with a detailed survey of the staircase, using advanced measurement tools to create a digital model. The rail was then manufactured to exact specifications — no two Starla rails were identical.

Historical Significance

The Starla made stairlifts viable for homes with curved, spiral, or multi-landing staircases — previously considered impossible to equip.

Did You Know?

A single Starla curved rail can contain over 100 individual bends, each calculated to within 0.1mm accuracy.

See This in Context

This exhibit appears in our historical timeline at 1995.

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Technical Specifications

Weight Capacity
120 kg (265 lbs)
Speed
0.10 m/s
Track Type
Custom curved aluminum rail
Power Source
24V DC battery
Key Features
  • Custom-fitted rail
  • Multi-wheel carriage
  • Powered swivel seat
  • Wrap-around curves

Quick Facts

Year
1995
Manufacturer
Stannah Stairlifts
Category
Innovation

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