MAXIMISE YOUR CAPACITY
Automatic stacking cranes (ASC) are rail mounted cranes used for yard stacking and in-stack transportation of containers in the storage area. ASCs deposit and pick up containers from dedicated
transfer areas at both ends of the stack. Stacks are located usually perpendicular to the quayside in order to minimise the travelling distances of feeding equipment.
Straddle carriers, Shuttle Carriers?, trailers or AGVs can be used to transport containers between ship-to-shore cranes and the front-end of the stacks. Road trucks can be directly
loaded/unloaded by remote control operators or by Shuttle Carriers? or straddle carriers. Control and monitoring systems provide an optimized operation enabling constant quality and throughput.
Automation benefits
By introducing automation, it is possible to reduce overall operating costs and increase the utilisation rate of equipment. ASC systems are gaining popularity as they offer high stacking density
with low labour usage. ASCs can also be gradually introduced to existing handling systems, such as a
straddle carrier operation. Experienced crane & automation system provider
Kalmar has an extensive experience providing automated container handling systems. Kalmar delivers ASC systems, including the cranes, with all related automation, control and monitoring
systems. Kalmar takes care of the turnkey project management from the initial design to final implementation, delivery and after sales support.
Cost effective
An automatic stacking crane (ASC) operation has proven to be cost-effective when total life cycle costs are considered. Storage capacity is very high resulting in effective land usage. Up to
10-wide container stacks can be maintained with little space between the container slots and stacks since no truck or straddle carrier lanes are needed. Housekeeping can be done effectively
during off peak hours maximising throughput at peak hours.
ASC systems are operated nearly unmanned. However, supervising personnel is required to remotely monitor the operational process. The systems enable constant quality independent of external
factors such us
visibility or weather, and the process itself limits the possibility of human errors.
Environmentally friendly
ASCs produce very little noise and low emissions per a handled container as the cranes themselves do not emit exhaust or evaporative emissions.
ASCs are electrically powered with AC drives requiring minimum maintenance. With modern drive systems, regenerated power can be fed back to the power net further lowering energy
consumption.
ASC systems minimise usage of dieselpowered equipment to be used for
additional stacking as they take care of the in-stack transportation of the
containers within the terminal. With efficient housekeeping in the stacks, the waiting time of road trucks can be optimised, resulting all together in both low particle and noise emissions.
System expertise
Kalmar possesses the experience and knowledge necessary to assist customers in automating new or existing terminals. Port Optimizer?, a simulation tool from Kalmar, illustrates in real time the
different handling systems as well as the benefits of each individual system.
From the planning phase all the way to the commissioning of an automated terminal, Kalmar can deliver not only the equipment, but also the design expertise and related automation software
required in such projects.