Automation has been a growing megatrend in container terminals all over the world for over 20 years. However, automation is only part of the big picture and container terminals with manned cranes are still in the majority, and will remain so. Is full automation the only way to improve yard productivity and safety? Not at all. Check out our "Path to port automation" and discover how to get on it.
You can start anywhere on the Path to Port Automation, whether your fleet is currently entirely manual, or if you have some automated equipment and some not. Our products and services can also help you to bring any crane equipment brand in line with your vision for yard automation.
The great thing about the Path to Port Automation, is that it can begin with a 100% manual fleet, at any location (apron, yard or quayside) and any brand of crane. Older crane fleets can especially benefit from a Drive and Control System (DCS) retrofit upgrade, essential in preparing older equipment for modernizations and automation to come.
At any point in the Path to Automation journey customers can opt to decouple the equipment from the operator, and establish a remote operating system.
A next step is to then add Smart Features. The Konecranes range of Smart Features use either sensor, laser, DGPS or a combination of these to create a powerful operator-assist environment, that has been proven in the field over many years. Either available as retrofits or as new equipment options, many of these features are essential for ongoing automation conversions.
At any point in the Path to Port Automation journey customers can opt to de-couple the equipment from the operator, and establish a remote operating system.
Advancing along the path further we get to supervised operations - a fully-realized, field-proven concept in its own right. This is the point at which Smart Features reach a critical mass, and the crane is essentially converted into a semi-automated crane. The operator (either still in the cabin, or at a remote station) is now assisted by a collection of Smart Features that are driving both productivity and safety. In the Konecranes supervised operation concept, the Konecranes RMGs or RTGs have operator cabins equipped with operator hold-to-run buttons, foot pedals or conventional joysticks. The technology helps the operator to move the cranes and containers, allowing him or her to focus more on the container handling sequence while the technology helps to move the containers.
Finally, moving to fully automated operation by adding automation technology and system elements in the yard is now a relatively simple transition. that can be done in manageable phases, step-by-step at the pace you and your business need.
We're offering you the results of our recent proof-of-concept study, in which we partner with Fluidmesh to create a low latency and high throughput wireless network: a 100% wireless port connectivity solution. Log In or Sign Up to Konecranes ZONE to access this and many other valuable Whitepapers.
Konecranes offers the possibility of de-coupling the crane and operator. In this model, the operator works in a safe and ergonomic office environment and can operate different cranes at different times. The cranes are operated using Konecranes’ field-proven Remote Operating Station (ROS) concept. De-coupling the crane and operator, and eliminating operator idling time, can produce significant productivity increases -- many more container moves per day with the same equipment and improved employee safety and satisfaction. Watch the video below and contact us to discuss how your port could take this leap forward!
From a single piece of equipment to entire operations, Konecranes supports you in port lifting.