Kalmars electric RTG
Kalmar Industries has received an order from the Port of Oslo to supply it with four electrically powered rubber tyred gantry cranes (RTGs). The port, which is undergoing development to increase its capacity, specifically requested electrically powered machines (as opposed to diesel machines) because it is located in the heart of the city, close to residential and leisure areas, and it wanted to keep the environmental impact (noise and pollution) of the new machines to the bare minimum.
Pictured in Singapore, is a 7+1 high KalmarRTG (powered by a diesel genset) with a similar span to the four, 9+1 wide, electrically powered machines supplied by Kalmar to Oslo Port Authority.
The Port of Oslos choice of container handling system was influenced by the city councils decision, taken in 2000, to move the container terminal out of the city centre over the next few years in order to create a more commercial and leisure orientated waterfront. With this in mind, the port authority chose rubber tyred machines as opposed to rail mounted gantry cranes (RMGs) because they are perceived to be more flexible and easier to move.
As the widest RTGs ever built by Kalmar, the new machines, two of which will be delivered at the end of 2002 with the remaining two being delivered at the end of January 2003, will be 9+1 wide and 4+1 high.
The power feeding system for the electrically powered RTG is similar to that of the RMG. However, unlike RMGs which follow rails set in the ground, Kalmars RTGs are steered by an automatic gantry steering system, Smartrail. This is based on a differential global positioning system (DGPS).
In addition to Smartrail, the new RTGs are equipped with a Remote Crane Monitoring System (RCMS). This enables the operation of the machines to be monitored remotely, in real time, by a single operator in the terminal control room. RCMS works by transferring information, collected by the RTGs PLC system, to the control room via a wireless local area network (WLAN). This means the control room staff can be aware of alarms, driver acknowledged information and operational data. Machines can also be monitored via the internet by Kalmars customer support department meaning real time support and assistance is available if required directly from the factory. Customising and modifications to machine operations can also be done via the internet since the crane PLC system is also accessible via the RMCS.
Note to Editor
Remote Monitoring Crane System (RMCS) has been written about previously under the term Remote Monitoring Interface (RMI).
Kalmar is a global provider of heavy duty materials handling equipment and services to ports, intermodal traffic, terminals and demanding industrial customers. Kalmar focuses on supplying handling solutions that enable customers to operate with a high level of efficiency and reliability. Every fourth container or trailer transfer at terminals around the world is handled by a Kalmar machine. Kalmar provides a large range of value added services such as maintenance contracts and fleet management. Kalmar Nelcon and Ottawa complete the portfolio of the master brand Kalmar. Manufacturing plants are situated in Sweden (as is the head office), in Finland, in the USA, in the Netherlands and in Estonia.
For further information, please contact:
Kalmar Industries
Communications Manager
aija.kalander@kalmarind.com
Alternatively more information can be asked from:
David Cheslin or Karen Baxter at
Dunelm Public Relations on:
tel: +44 20 7480 0600.
E-mail:
A photograph to accompany this release is available and can be downloaded from the Dunelm PR website: www.dunelmpr.co.uk