Hardware Support for Efficient VirtualizationJohn Fisher-O
2009 Jan iVT Smart Moves
1. eNGINeeRING & teCHNoLoGY
maRko eLo
smaRt moves
kalmar’s smartpath and smartrail automation systems for the
optimisation of container handling efficiency rely on a robust
onboard computer with a versatile set of interfaces
Productivity in ports and
terminals can be greatly improved
through equipping the container
handling machines with a container
position verification system that is
integrated with the terminal’s Yard
Management System. In response to this
need, Kalmar Industries has developed
the Smartpath system, in close co-
operation with control system specialist
CC Systems. The onboard system core
runs on the CC Pilot XS onboard
computer, keeping track of the exact
location of each container and machine
in near real-time, thereby helping
reducing unproductive and unplanned
container moves.
Containers, container handling
machines and the Yard Management
System (YMS) all build a net of
information flow, where Smartpath
plays a key role. The YMS maintains a
database of every container, acting as a
back-office system for the harbour
As a global supplier of cargo handling equipment, Kalmar Industries is pushing the
operations. Smartpath communicates boundaries of efficiency in container ports (Photo: Kalmar)
the actual container location to the
YMS, ensuring that the specific accurate positioning data. This is Smartpath is machine- and
container is located where it is accomplished through a differential manufacturer-independent, enabling
supposed to be on the yard. Every GPS solution; in essence this means Kalmar Industries to provide the same
movement of a container on the yard is that the positioning data in the GPS solution to different types of machines
communicated to the YMS, including receiver is corrected by a differential for container movement, and also to
also unplanned moves, such as shuffling GPS signal from the terminal’s third-party machines when necessary.
the containers in a stack. stationary radio transmitters. This has already been realised in the
All movement requests are based on The Smartpath concept also provides Smartrail concept, which has pretty
commands that the YMS sends to the an external interface that enables much the same hardware and software
machines in the yard. Here, the remote retrieval of its status. That architecture as Smartpath, while
Smartpath concept helps to assign information can be used by the YMS providing additional functionality for
specific tasks to the machine closest to and maintenance systems. machines moving along virtual rails.
the container to be moved, minimising In the graphical user interface (GUI),
time spent and energy consumed for Robust onboard computing the driver is presented with the
each work task. The yard map and the The heart of the Smartpath concept, the movement tasks given by the YMS
named storage locations are stored in onboard system, runs on a CC Pilot XS along with the current position of the
the Smartpath system of each machine. onboard computer. With its versatile set machine on the yard layout. The view is
Changes to the yard layout are easily of interfaces, the created system constantly updated as the machine
propagated to the machines. architecture can reduce the number of moves in the yard. As the driver
Communication between machine components within. Yet, the system executes the movement requests,
and back-office is handled via a wireless scalability remains high, enabling future Smartpath automatically confirms all
link. The communication link on the growth in quantity and quality of movements performed back to the Yard
machine is also used for ensuring information handled. Furthermore, Management System.
iVT International Materials Handling 2009 113
2. eNGINeeRING & teCHNoLoGY
The Smartpath system architecture enables the exact location and movement of individual containers to be optimally controlled
The CC Pilot XS has an XScale 533 limited to, improved safety in the
MHz CPU and a graphical SVGA display workplace, and even – over time – lower
of 6.5in or 10.4in with touch screen. CC insurance fees. In addition, the field
Pilot XS has a proven track record in a data that is pushed to the YMS is very
large number of applications in accurate, which in turn increases the value
demanding industrial conditions. It is of back-office operations. The bottom
used in a variety of roles such as line is increased productivity in container
controller, HMI, video screen and as terminals – through smart moves.
host for auxiliary systems such as
diagnostics and remote access. The advanced machine controls
computer is available also without the There is a clear trend in the industrial
display, as a powerful black-box vehicle business towards advanced
computing module for applications onboard systems. These systems often
where no GUI is needed. incorporate a powerful onboard
The operational computer that can run the value-adding
efficiency of a terminal software applications and provide the
has a clear effect on operator with an easy-to-use Human
the service Machine Interface.
experienced by the Smartpath is another example of such
next link in the a system, made possible through CC
logistics chain. Systems’ products and strong engineering
Smartpath has support capability. The company has a
proven that it long track record of supporting
reduces container companies such as Metso Minerals, John
move times, the Deere Forestry, Atlas Copco and
need for shuffling, Bombardier Transportation with control
and time spent on system solutions that improve machine
unplanned actions efficiency and reliability. iVT
such as searching
for lost containers. Marko Elo, M.Sc, is R&D manager at CC Systems
It helps keep the Oy, Finland. He joined the company in 2006 and
focus on planned has been working with industrial control and
and controlled communication systems since 1990
work. CONTACT
Front and rear
All this has numerous www.cc-systems.com
views of CC Pilot XS positive side-effects including, but not info@cc-systems.com
114 iVT International Materials Handling 2009