Kalmar launches automation test facility

The facility, located at Kalmar’s Tampere factory in Finland, will first test the automation and control systems developed for HHLA’s conversion of Container Terminal Burchardkai (CTB) in Hamburg from straddle carriers to automatic stacking cranes (ASCs).

In phase one of the conversion during 2007 and 2008, Kalmar will equip the first five yard stacking blocks with 15 ASCs, along with their automation and control systems. HHLA, the Port of Hamburg’s biggest container terminal operator, plans to increase its handling capacity from 2.7m teu in 2005 to 5.2m teu by 2015.

Kalmar created a computer simulation of a block stacking area with three ASC cranes to represent the layout of the terminal. It will use this simulator to test the operation of the machine controls and the cranes’ control system. The crane block simulator can also be used to train operators on the remote control systems for loading and unloading trucks at the landside operation.