US-built box crane - WorldCargo News Online

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SWEDEN: ROLL-ON/ROLL-OFF
TTS considers that the system
(WorldCargo News, July 1998, pp46-7),
would operate successfully for dry port
projects where greater use could be made
of cheaper land inland from the main quay
for storing containers.
The CP-Train, it argues, would be a
more efficient solution than multi-trailer
train sets (MTS), particularly for travel
distances of more than 1000m. Civil engineering
costs would be higher than for
MTS, but are more than made up by the
release of valuable waterfront land.
Proving ground
As noted, the new site will also be employed
to demonstrate TTS’s AGV cassette
handler. This represents a notable
breakthrough in container handling in
that it is an active system, unlike the passive
Gottwald-type AGV used in lo-lo
container terminals which must be handled
under a crane.
Only Kalmar’s robotised straddle carrier
system (for Patrick) goes one better
and is able to stack/retrieve as well. TTS
made a presentation to P&ONL/ECT for
their Euromax project in Rotterdam.
They were interested, but it was probably
too late by that stage to change their ideas.
In any event, ECT has had good experience
of operating Gottwald AGVs and the
German company remains favourite to
win the AGV contract at Euromax.
The TTS AGV, as already noted originally
developed for the Integration project
in conjunction with Liftec, is a low height,
self-powered translifter which can enter
a cassette tunnel and leave in the same
direction. Prior to this, Liftec had developed
its own AGV translifter for SSAB
Oxelösund (see below) but this resembles
an integrated tug and lifter and accordingly
cannot drive through. TTS considers
there is a place for both systems and is
marketing both designs.
The new demonstration site will also
be employed to develop and refine the
designs, particularly the drive-through low
profile machine. Currently TTS Liftec is
investigating ways of lowering the machine.
While the engine size problems
have been overcome - the unit now incorporates
a Mercedes Benz OM906 flat
design as employed on buses - the flywheel
driving the hydraulic pump still has
to be made smaller.
Tyre sizes have also been re-examined.
The AGV now runs on Michelin 225/
75-R15 pneumatic tyres. Each of the 24
tyres (six axles) is capable of a loading of
4100kg at 20 kph.
Laser probe
Some observers, however, still question
the use of laser guidance and navigation
systems in an outdoor environment. While
it is the simplest and least expensive form
of control and requires no supporting infrastructure
other than a few reflectors, it
has yet to be employed in an automated
container terminal.
Embedded transducers, as employed
by Gottwald at ECT, CTA and (soon)
Euromax, were considered by TTS to be
somewhat inflexible and be unable to
work inside a ro-ro ship. Similarly, DGPS
was discounted as the configuration of the
low-slung translifter does not permit an
aerial mounting, which would also be in
Vänern hold-up
One innovative project in which TTS
is involved with its IPSI trestle and
kerb trailer system (WorldCargo News,
September 2004, p28) appears to be
on hold. The ambitious RWS Lines’
concept of small ro-ros operating between
Lake Vänern ports and
Duisburg is still awaiting the go-ahead
pending contractual commitments
from hauliers. RWS has always stated
that they must be in place before the
ships are ordered.
In addition to designing the ships’
unique internal deck arrangement,
TTS has been involved in the design
of the trailer stowage, which is particularly
tight as there is no room available
between the trailers for lashing.
Instead of its “conventional,” low
height lashing curb system. TTS is
considering a longitudinal lashing wall
into which the trailer is driven.
Instead of lashing the fifth wheel
to the trestle, a support bar - a trestle
without legs - could be used to secure
the trailer. No lateral movement
of the trailer would be possible as it
would be enclosed by the retaining
walls. In this way, it would be possible
to obtain a 2.6m wide trailer lane to
provide five lanes on a ship’s beam of
only 13.35m. ❏
Tel: +358 207 431 120
Fax +358 207 431 121
www.meclift.fi
AGENTS
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shadow in a container stack and again
would not work on board a ro-ro ship.
Microwave radar systems, as employed by
Patrick’s automated straddle carriers from
Kalmar, were not apparently considered.
Manual help
A feature of the original Liftec AGV is
that it can be manually operated and it is
possible to introduce a self-learning mode.
So, for example, a driver could operate
the AGV over a fixed shuttle run, which
the AGV PLC could then replicate. Although
this feature may not be of much
use in a free-ranging environment such
as a container terminal, it could prove
useful in industrial applications.
Liftec previously supplied this AGV
translifter to SSAB Oxelösund in Sweden.
The machine worked well for three
years and clocked 8000 hours, but became
surplus to requirements when the company
altered the mill’s internal logistics.
Ro-ro translifter business has been
buoyant for TTS-Liftec recently, due
largely to phase 1 of StoraEnso’s NETSS
project. Eight LTH90s for SECUs were
delivered to Barloworld for Forth Ports’
Project Enterprise in Tilbury, nine to
Steveco in Kotka, 10 more to Göteborgs
Hamn and four more to Sea-Ro,
Zeebrugge (already nine there). The 4-
axle LTH90 is the de facto industry standard
for SECU handling.
In a new development, TTS Liftec has
supplied DFDS Tor line with six LTH90
Combi units. These are 45ft long to cope
with SECUs but have a raisable stopper
on the frame for 2 x 20ft/40ft loads. They
are normal width but have fixed lateral
supports at the front end and hydraulically
operated, stowable supports at the
rear to support SECUs when required.
Tyre problems solved
As first covers, TTS Liftec prefers to fit
the LTH90s with 645/250-410 solid resilient
tyres from Watts. Over the years,
practical experience has demonstrated
that these are a good fit for 90 tonne transports
up to a distance of 1000m. For
longer transport distances, one option is
to go the 6-axle LTH120. If the same 90
tonne load is required to be carried, Liftec
can fit slightly larger pneumatic radial tyres
from Michelin. Alternatively, these pneumatic
tyres can be fitted to the LTH90,
but the load has to be reduced.
Two LTH120s have recently gone to
steel works in Finland and an SC30 straddle
carrier has gone to Sandvik in Sweden,
handling steel slabs. This is based on
the SC95 successfully used in Gothenburg
to unload SECUs from rail cars.
Recently Multi-Serv in the UK took
two LTH90s and three LTHH130s for a
Corus operation. The LTHH130s are used
to transport steel slabs heated up to 800
degC. The biggest product is the LTHH360
- a 10.8m long by 7.8m wide platform on
four double bogie axle lines. ❏
32
September 2005