MechChem Africa January 2018

⎪ Automation, process control and instrumentation ⎪

OR Tambo luggage ID scanners updated SICK Automation recently upgraded lug- gage identification scanners at OR Tambo International Airport, the largest and busi- est airport in Africa. minium frames along the airport’s luggage conveyor belts to scan and identify luggage in accordance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) standard. The identification data captured is com- municated to the airport’s higher-level control system.

The upgrade included replacing SICK’s recently discontinued range of CLV 490 scanners with its next generation CLV 690 laser-based barcode scanners that offer improved read rates. The upgraded scan- ners ensure reliable and accurate luggage barcode scanning, no matter the luggage shape, height or orientation. “The original scanners were installed between 2008 and 2010 and are still operating to spec,” comments Danie Labuschagne, logistic automationmanager, SICK Automation Southern Africa. “But as the range had been replaced with newer models, spare parts availabilitywas becom- ing more difficult. And with the fast pace and need for accuracy at any airport, let alone Africa’s busi- est, having the

SICK replaced a total of 310 barcode scanners at Terminals A, B and CTB at OR Tambo Airport. To minimise any disrup- tion to the airport’s operations during the upgrade, SICK installed the scanners in one-day phases throughout the various terminals. “Most of the world’s airports use SICK scanners for luggage identification,” adds Labuschagne. “This market-share enables us to deliver an effective, highly technical solution thatweknowoperates reliably and efficiently at the world’s busiest airports.” SICK Automation Southern Africa was contracted by sys- tem integrators Krier Technologies on

loader during blast clearance times. Equipment utilisation is also increased as operators canhandover between shiftsmuch faster, without the need to locate and travel to the equipment. The intelligent features of the system assisting the operator also help to avoid wall collision damage that would otherwise lead to expensive downtime for repairs andmaintenance. This translates into cost savings and higher productivity. The sys- tem’s compact onboard package is integrated into the intelligent control systemof Sandvik loaders, allowing full monitoring and control functionality as well as straightforward ret- rofit installations. As with the complete AutoMine offer- ing, AutoMine Tele-Remote is designed to improve safety and, with open interfaces, the system can also be integrated into other mining IT systems. AutoMineTele-Remote is compatiblewith other AutoMine packages, so it can be easily upgradedtohigherlevelSandvikloadandhaul automation. It is an ideal solution for mines looking for a simple yet powerful way to gain moreefficiencywith remoteoperationaswell astothosewhomaywanttotakethenextstep toevenhigher performance at a later stage. q

newest tech- nologies and ample spare parts drove the need for the upgrade.” The new scanners are m o u n t e d onto alu-

behalf of Aviation Co-ordination Services (ACS). The OR Tambo International A i r po r t up- g r a d e w a s completed in March2017. q

SICK Automation 360° ALIS systems ensure reliable luggage identification for Africa’s largest airport.

January 2018 • MechChem Africa ¦ 27