A leading West Australian branch of Ports and Bulk is revolutionising its operations with cutting-edge automation from RCT.
RCT was selected to automate a process whereby the wharf crane loads the required product into a ship via a rotating container tipper, ready for transport in a safe, effortless and streamlined way.
Our client was one of Australia’s largest integrated providers of import and export logistics services and is well-known for embracing innovation to enhance financial outcomes, client satisfaction, productivity, efficiency, safety, and environmental performance.
This is exactly what RCT has helped deliver the client through close collaboration from initial concept to completion. Several requirements were identified during the project process, with all these needs being accommodated and incorporated in the final design.
The streamlined process has entailed the deployment of RCT’s agnostic Automation, with a suite of sensors providing instant feedback to the operator for the crane sequence of operation. A self-cleaning camera system was also added on the rotating container tipper to provide instantaneous visual feedback to the operator, to deliver the best results.
“The addition of the cameras and RCT’s data and information system was also necessary to provide instant, vital information to the operator,” said RCT Account Manager, Phill Dean.
“This also provides maintenance staff both a remote and local access to view and confirm machine feedback live. This ensures that operators are made aware of any issues promptly. This was previously relayed by the operator themselves,” he added.
These additional solutions ensure the sea containers are being picked up and its contents dumped onto a ship in a safe, timely and accurate manner.
“There is now a greater transparency of reporting of what is happening, which in turn gives the operator more knowledge of the situation and tools and the ability to improve productivity or stop production immediately if something was wrong,” he said.
“There is lots of value added in the sensor suite. RCT through the collaboration process incorporated more feedback sensors required for operation whilst maintaining the on-machine enclosure configuration maintaining the current distribution panel footprints.”
This is the first time RCT has participated in a project of this scope, therefore it was tasked to RCT’s bespoke department, RCT Custom, which was executed it effortlessly.
RCT Custom Manager, Steven Appleton said the project was outside the department’s normal remote installation as they weren’t installing the technology on a mobile machine.
“This project required the team to write an automation sequence to a fixed plant and getting the automation right was the most challenging aspect of the project,” he said.
Prior to automating the process, it was a two-person job for safety reasons so there were “eyes” on the ground and from the cab of the crane. The operator was in control of releasing the rotating container tipper locks, lifting the lid, closing the lid, re-locking it, and placing it back down again.
“This process has removed the need for two operators and had automated the sequence into segments which streamline the process,” he added.
The implementation of RCT’s extensive range of solutions not only met all the client’s desired requirements but also played a crucial role in safeguarding operators and significantly reducing dust pollution, which was vital due to the site’s proximity to the town centre.
###
For media enquiries, please contact:
Emma Young, RCT Communications Officer
Our client, based in Western Australia's Pilbara region, is now operating CAT 349D Excavators equipped with RCT's AutoNav, complete with rock breaker and back scratch attachments.
The state-of-the-art technology enables operators to control multiple machines in real time using strategically positioned cameras and sensors.
This project, which was undertaken by RCT's Perth Customer Service and Custom departments, saw the installation and deployment of RCT's AutoNav, four cameras with additional Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ) cameras and an AutoNav Centre.
"This project marks the debut of our technology on this model of excavator, and the installation was seamless," said RCT's Account Manager, Phill Dean.
"We pride ourselves on being able to deliver fit-for-purpose solutions for our clients and this project is a prime example of this."
This technology has been successfully implemented on-site, with our client recently celebrating the success of the project and the positive effect it has had on enhancing operational efficiency and eliminating human interaction across hazardous work environments.
In addition to this, the site will be able to transform the way workers carry out their jobs for the better.
"Automating the process relocates the operator from the machine and allows them to control the excavator from an operator station, which can be positioned on site or potentially in a city location," said Mr Dean.
Training was also provided to operators and as with all RCT's solutions, it comes with our comprehensive customer support.
The success of this project has seen our client actively explore additional opportunities to expand and improve these activities across all its mining operations globally.
###
For media enquiries, please contact:
Emma Young, RCT Communications Officer
RCT‘s remote control solution is safeguarding mobile elevated work platform operators after a near fatality at a mine site highlighted the need to reform the process.
The operation of mobile elevated work platforms currently requires two-people; one in the basket and one operating the movements from the ground. RCT’s ControlMaster® MTX1000 pendant remote is mitigating the risk, giving the control to the person in the basket. This enables the person working at a hazardous height to control the lifting, lowering, crowning and tilting functions. Further safeguarding this procedure is the MTX1000’s safety interlock feature.
This popular solution has already been sought after by one mining contractor who required a simple and cost-effective solution to ensure operator safety, that wouldn’t require extensive machine modifications or ongoing service and maintenance.
“The MTX disparity checks all proportional outputs, making it safer than a conventional hardwired solution. If an incident was to occur, our remote control will shut down straight away rather than move the basket back to its original position,” said RCT’s Automation and Control Product Manager, Brendon Cullen.
In addition the solution provides a master control in the operator station cabin for a second operator to be able to resume control if required; further safeguarding operators.
“With ultimate control moved to the operator in the basket, the risk of crushing and pinching incidents is vastly reduced,” he said.
The MTX1000 is the latest addition to the ControlMaster® radio remote control range. It is designed with the same operating platform as RCT’s leading ATX2200, but conveniently packaged into an even lighter remote control. The remote control includes a graphical display, proportional joysticks, dead-man and control buttons. It can be operated continuously for more than 16 hours before it requires recharging.
