The faster way to handle cargo in ports
h_da graduate develops model for crane scales
As part of his dissertation, a telecommunications and IT graduate of Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da) developed a mathematical model for the calculation process used in scales that are capable of accurately determining the weight of bulk material, such as ore, during the unloading process. 25-year-old electrical engineer Viktor Rais wrote his dissertation at Schenck Process, one of the world's leading companies for measuring and process technologies. His supervisor was Prof. Ulrich Schultheiss, of the h_da's electrical engineering and IT (EIT) department.
Rais' work will help to increase the speed and accuracy of cargo weighing in ports. In the world's largest ports, port cranes should do their job as quickly as possible. This includes accurately weighing the cargo they convey from the ship to land, among other things. The more quickly they can do this, the better for shipping companies, as they are charged based on the length of time the vessel remains in the port.
The special feature of Viktor Rais' successful measuring solution is that the scales can be used in mobile cranes whose masts are not rigid, but can be adapted at the bracket to change the working radius. For the first time ever, this type of crane can determine the weight of cargo when moving it. Until now, the material, such as ore, had to be weighed on a separate belt scale, which resulted in considerable time losses.
An additional challenge was making the scales legal for trade – the basis for professional billing in the international movement of goods. The so-called calibration error is 0.1 per cent. At a weight of 50 tonnes, for instance, the measurement result may only deviate by a maximum of 50 kg. To solve this problem, Viktor Rais, together with Fritz Ehmke, an experienced scales specialist who supervised Rais' dissertation on behalf of Schenck Process, examined a crane prototype at the company's Antwerp location, which weighs 630 tonnes, and has an 80 metre long mast. Working as part of a team, Viktor Rais put the technology through its paces, read sensors, collected other key data and used it to develop a model of the crane and its movements on the computer.
The vibrations of the giant load-bearing machine were particularly problematic. Lifting heavy loads, which could weigh up to 50 tonnes, causes pendulum motion in particular, so it took a long time to get the measurement – just like digital bathroom scales which only provide an accurate result when the person on them stands as still as possible. Rais and his team succeeded in mathematically eliminating these and other influences, enabling the scales in the mast head to deliver a result in seconds. Before, it took 15 seconds to obtain a measurement; Viktor Rais managed to shorten this to seven seconds.
Fritz Ehmke is impressed by the persistence Rais displayed when carrying out his project. He explains that although Schenck Process laid many of the foundations for the new measurement procedure, Viktor Rais' mathematical model represents the breakthrough. Rais now works at the world's leading company for measuring and process technology as a software developer and therefore plays a direct role in the further development of his project. December 2010 saw the measurements for the new crane scales successfully approved, so now, production of the scales can start.
"Viktor Rais' degree really did provide him with a firm grounding," enthuses Fritz Ehmke, explaining that highly-qualified specialists are still extremely hard to come by. "There still aren't enough people studying to be engineers," agrees Ulrich Schultheiss, professor at h_da's EIT department. As he explains, it's hardly surprising that graduates like Viktor Rais are highly sought after by companies. "His success is a clear illustration that practical training in the EIT department is the way forward," says Ulrich Schultheiss.
But Viktor Rais has more to celebrate than just his seamless transition from his student to professional life. He also received the Professor Döhrer Foundation Award, which the EIT uses to recognise dissertations with notable practical application.
Picture right side: (left to right) Dr. Raymond Holz, Fritz Ehmke, Viktor Rais, Ralph Müller
More information:
Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences
Electrical engineering and IT department
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Schultheiss
Birkenweg 8
64283 Darmstadt
Germany
T +49 61 51-16 83 11
F +49 61 51-15 31 27 54
schultheiss@eit.h-da.de
Rais' work will help to increase the speed and accuracy of cargo weighing in ports. In the world's largest ports, port cranes should do their job as quickly as possible. This includes accurately weighing the cargo they convey from the ship to land, among other things. The more quickly they can do this, the better for shipping companies, as they are charged based on the length of time the vessel remains in the port.
The special feature of Viktor Rais' successful measuring solution is that the scales can be used in mobile cranes whose masts are not rigid, but can be adapted at the bracket to change the working radius. For the first time ever, this type of crane can determine the weight of cargo when moving it. Until now, the material, such as ore, had to be weighed on a separate belt scale, which resulted in considerable time losses.
An additional challenge was making the scales legal for trade – the basis for professional billing in the international movement of goods. The so-called calibration error is 0.1 per cent. At a weight of 50 tonnes, for instance, the measurement result may only deviate by a maximum of 50 kg. To solve this problem, Viktor Rais, together with Fritz Ehmke, an experienced scales specialist who supervised Rais' dissertation on behalf of Schenck Process, examined a crane prototype at the company's Antwerp location, which weighs 630 tonnes, and has an 80 metre long mast. Working as part of a team, Viktor Rais put the technology through its paces, read sensors, collected other key data and used it to develop a model of the crane and its movements on the computer.
The vibrations of the giant load-bearing machine were particularly problematic. Lifting heavy loads, which could weigh up to 50 tonnes, causes pendulum motion in particular, so it took a long time to get the measurement – just like digital bathroom scales which only provide an accurate result when the person on them stands as still as possible. Rais and his team succeeded in mathematically eliminating these and other influences, enabling the scales in the mast head to deliver a result in seconds. Before, it took 15 seconds to obtain a measurement; Viktor Rais managed to shorten this to seven seconds.
Fritz Ehmke is impressed by the persistence Rais displayed when carrying out his project. He explains that although Schenck Process laid many of the foundations for the new measurement procedure, Viktor Rais' mathematical model represents the breakthrough. Rais now works at the world's leading company for measuring and process technology as a software developer and therefore plays a direct role in the further development of his project. December 2010 saw the measurements for the new crane scales successfully approved, so now, production of the scales can start.
"Viktor Rais' degree really did provide him with a firm grounding," enthuses Fritz Ehmke, explaining that highly-qualified specialists are still extremely hard to come by. "There still aren't enough people studying to be engineers," agrees Ulrich Schultheiss, professor at h_da's EIT department. As he explains, it's hardly surprising that graduates like Viktor Rais are highly sought after by companies. "His success is a clear illustration that practical training in the EIT department is the way forward," says Ulrich Schultheiss.
But Viktor Rais has more to celebrate than just his seamless transition from his student to professional life. He also received the Professor Döhrer Foundation Award, which the EIT uses to recognise dissertations with notable practical application.
Picture right side: (left to right) Dr. Raymond Holz, Fritz Ehmke, Viktor Rais, Ralph Müller
More information:
Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences
Electrical engineering and IT department
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Schultheiss
Birkenweg 8
64283 Darmstadt
Germany
T +49 61 51-16 83 11
F +49 61 51-15 31 27 54
schultheiss@eit.h-da.de
For more information, please contact:
Schenck Process GmbH
Marketing Communications
Pallaswiesenstraße 100
64293 Darmstadt
Germany
T +49 61 51-15 31 29 87
F +49 61 51-15 31 27 54
press@schenckprocess.com
Schenck Process GmbH
Marketing Communications
Pallaswiesenstraße 100
64293 Darmstadt
Germany
T +49 61 51-15 31 29 87
F +49 61 51-15 31 27 54
press@schenckprocess.com
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Homepage: model-for-crane-scales
© Schenck Process GmbH, 2011
