LASSTEC 1st year success

It is one year since CM was the first to publish details about France-based LASSTEC releasing its patented load sensing and accident prevention system, using spreader twistlocks to measure the load or eccentricity of a container.


Today, more than 30 systems have been delivered for use on straddle carriers, rubber-tyred and rail mounted gantry cranes (RTGs/RMGs), as well as ship-to-shore cranes and front loaders.


Although most of the installations have related to container weighing, several have been for snag load detection or simply to enable an operator to visualise the stability of the mobile vehicle.


Capable of being installed in existing or new spreaders where electricity is present, and, at the time, believed to be the first technology of its kind, the system measures the load directly on the twistlock into which a specially designed load sensor is inserted to measure the twistlock elongation when under load.


The information is then gathered in a central processing unit mounted on top of the spreader, where the data is logged and sent to the crane or machine PLC, from where the terminal decides what data is sent to the TOS. This can be only the container weight or also the loading eccentricity or other data relevant for the maintenance department.


Using fibre optics and available for either single-lift or twin-lift spreaders, the system is accurate to within +/-200kg per container and is designed so that it re-calibrates itself at each load cycle.


The software safety and alarm parameters for overload and snag load detection limits can be adjusted depending on the crane hoist acceleration and lift speeds.


In December last year the World Shipping Council urged the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to establish an international legal requirement that all loaded containers should be weighed at the maritime port facility before they are stowed aboard a vessel. By using a system that has load-sensors on the spreader every container, whether import/export or being transhipped, would be weighed each time it is lifted.
(Source:http://www.container-mag.com)