Standing Desk Motors and Lifting Systems
Start by identifying the lifting system: manual or electric, then two-stage or three-stage where applicable. Match the series and configuration before comparing technical specifications, because similar motor counts, column stages, or appearances do not necessarily indicate the same lifting system.
Milan · Manual
No motor · Two-stage hand-crank
Owen · Electric Two-stage
Dual motor · Two-stage columns
Owen · Electric Three-stage
Dual motor · Three-stage columns
| System | Series / Configuration Options |
|---|---|
| Manual | Milan: Manual |
| Electric Two-stage | Milan: Standard; Meige: Economic, Face-to-Face Economic; Karen: Economic, Standard; Owen: Economic, Standard; Mige: Economic, Standard, Internal-wiring |
| Electric Three-stage | Milan: Standard, High-speed; Karen: Standard, High-speed; Owen: Standard, High-speed; Mige: Standard, High-speed; Mike: Standard; Cape: Executive / Conference direction |
Similar motor counts, column stages, or appearances do not mean that two products use the same lifting system.
Compare Technical Specifications
Compare Technical Specifications by Configuration
Compare height range, load and speed for each configuration
| Configuration | Height Range | Documented Load | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meige Economic · Two-stage | 720–1200 mm | 100 kg | Approx. 20 mm/s |
| Karen Economic · Two-stage | 720–1200 mm | 100 kg | Approx. 30 mm/s |
| Owen Economic · Two-stage | 720–1200 mm | 100 kg | Approx. 30 mm/s |
| Karen Standard · Two-stage | 720–1200 mm | 120 kg | Approx. 30 mm/s |
| Owen Standard · Two-stage | 720–1200 mm | 120 kg | Approx. 30 mm/s |
| Milan Standard · Three-stage | 620–1250 mm | 120 kg | Approx. 30 mm/s |
| Mige Standard · Three-stage | 620–1250 mm | 120 kg | Approx. 30 mm/s |
| Mike Standard · Three-stage | 725–1355 mm | 120 kg | 30 mm/s |
Control Systems and Motor Power
Handset options can include display, memory, lock, reminder and anti-collision functions.
Control-box input: 100–240V, 50/60Hz. Motor: DC 24V. Duty cycle: 2 minutes on / 8 minutes off. Handset and control-system options depend on the selected configuration.
Load Capacity vs. Stability
Load capacity and stability are not the same. The figures above apply only to the configurations shown; high-speed and other versions may differ.
Apply Your Project Requirements
Shortlist Configurations by Project Requirements
Use these four project requirements to narrow the configuration options.
| Project Input | Impact on the Shortlist |
|---|---|
| Required Height Range | Outside the height range → Not suitable |
| Total Moving Weight | If the total moving weight exceeds the load value → Not suitable |
| Usage Frequency | Check the duty cycle for the configuration |
| Target Market | Check voltage, frequency and plug requirements for the target market |
If the height range and load meet your requirements, keep the configuration on the shortlist.
Projects close to the limits, or with unusual load distribution, worksurface or fixing conditions, may need further review.
Check Component Compatibility
Make Sure All Components Work Together
The motor, control box, handset and wiring must work as one system. A connector that fits does not necessarily mean the components will work together.
Motor → Control Box & Version → Handset → Connectors & Wiring → Voltage → Firmware / Protocol
Our control-box platform was updated from v2.0 to v3.0, changing the socket from two-pin to grounded three-pin. Match the control-box version and socket type when selecting or replacing components.
K1, KB, KE and KC offer different handset functions. Choose the handset based on the functions you need and the desk configuration.
If You Need to Check or Replace a Component
For replacement or compatibility checks, provide the desk configuration, control-box and handset labels, version information and the component involved. For operating issues, also describe the symptom.
Check Configuration Evidence
Verify the Evidence for Your Configuration
Test reports and certificates may cover selected models rather than every model in a series. Make sure the document applies to the selected model and configuration.
To request the right technical document, provide:
• the model and configuration;
• the target market and electrical requirements;
• the report or technical document you need, such as a BIFMA test report or safety-related documentation.
Choose the Next Step
• Need technical documents? Request the required documents
• Need to check frame, load or stability? Review frame and load guidance.
• Need to compare single- and dual-motor systems? Compare motor systems.
• Need pricing? Request a quotation for the shortlisted configuration.