La Spezia opts for Control Techniques

And the new Super PostPanamax crane features the latest generation automation and control system from Control Techniques.

The project for the control system, designed and built at Control Techniques’ Milan Drive Centre, features Mentor II DC drives, each drive fitted with an FMX5 field controller to optimise motor field current control and an onboard MD29 application module, and all are linked by Profibus to control the hoist, trolleys, boom and gantry, with further connection to the crane’s master PLC.

It was necessary to provide loading and unloading of up to 17 bays and seven containers on deck and to give rapid container handling, optimising loading and unloading cycles, giving improved productivity, availability and reliability.

Reliability, in particular, was to be enhanced with the provision of comprehensive diagnostic information to the crane operator, and the system was designed for ease of maintenance and servicing.

Control Techniques has also designed a set of diagnostics and maintenance modules and integrated these into its basic software. Operational at the various levels of automation, these software packages automatically signal events as they occur, guiding the operator in manoeuvres and assisting technicians with repair and preventive maintenance operations.

LSCT, owned by Contship Italia, is capable of handling over 800,000 TEUs per year and has a maximum stacking capacity of 18,000 TEUs at any one time.