The most appropriate onboard weighing system will depend on the machinery onto which it is to be fitted and the industry in which it will be operating. RDS MME provides solutions for a range of industries, including the ports industry.
What are the applications for RDS MME products in the Ports Industry?
Container handlers, such as forklift trucks and reach stackers, are used to help maintain the flow of goods through a port. Onboard weighing systems are installed directly onto this machinery to measure the weight of the load they carry.
In the ports industry, these systems have become increasingly important due to their ability to enhance operational efficiency and maximise performance, while also ensuring safety for the operators.
Adherence to SOLAS Regulations
Ports play a crucial role in facilitating maritime trade and ensuring the safe and efficient movement of ships and their cargo. Therefore, SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations extend their influence to the ports industry, and it is essential they are adhered to. The regulations ensure worker and cargo safety and provide guidelines for the proper handling and transportation of goods.
The 2016 SOLAS regulations require the verification of packed containers’ weights on each vessel as a condition for loading onto a ship. Many ports will use forklift trucks to load containers and reach stackers to move them. However, overloading in these environments is a health and safety issue.
Ports often have weighbridges to measure container weight, but if they are located at the entrance or exit, this is not a convenient location. As such, onboard weighing systems can provide an excellent solution.
RDS Products for the Ports Industry
Loadmaster Alpha 100
One of our core products used in the ports industry is the Loadmaster Alpha 100. It has been designed to operate within the fastest loading environments and in the toughest of conditions, providing verification of the gross mass of packed containers.
There are two key instances the Loadmaster Alpha 100 is used:
- fitted onto a forklift truck that is loading materials into a container, or
- fitted onto a reach stacker that is lifting shipping containers and weighing the entire container.
The system is an automatic catch weighing instrument, MID class Y (b) type approved. It features an SQL database with XML data output for integration with Terminal Operating Systems.
The Loadmaster Alpha 100 meets the SOLAS method 2 requirements, which is required for use at British ports.
ICP 300 Printer
The ICP 300 Printer, an in-cab printer, is designed for use with industrial machinery in challenging environments, such as the ports industry. It is compatible with a variety of RDS instrumentals, including the Loadmaster Alpha 100 and Liftlog 1000.
Some of its key features include:
- High-speed, high-resolution printing capabilities
- Automatic time and date
- Low power mode
- A system “pause” button
- Internal audible alarm
- Easy paper feed mechanism allowing for the quick replacement of feeder roll
You can contact the RDS MME team by calling 01249 479356 or sending a message to sales@rdsmme.co.uk.
