Mitsui OSK has adopted the Hawk Eye crane safety monitoring system on the transfer cranes at the Tokyo International Container Terminal.
The system was developed by MOL subsidiary Nihon Engineering Co in co-operation with the New Japan Radio Co and Palgiken Co, and is the first such monitoring system in the world to use a microwave sensor.
Microwaves, which are radio waves categorised by specific wavelengths, tend to travel in a straight line in open areas because of their short wavelength, and will reflect off of any metal obstacle in their path.
Microwaves are less susceptible to weather (wind and rain, fog, air density) than conventional radar and ultrasonic sensors. They can measure distance more reliably, irrespective of shapes of objects, because the microwaves cover a larger area than radar. They can also measure longer distances than radar and ultrasonic sensors.
Licence application for a radio frequency is not necessary when installing the system, because it conforms to the 24GHz band specified low power radio certification.
Microwave sensors set in the upper parts of the crane measure distances between the crane and the upper part of the tiered containers to prevent contact, which could cause them to fall like dominoes during loading/unloading.
Sensors in the lower part of the crane measure the relative distance between the crane and other cranes, and the crane and vehicle, and limit the crane's maximum speed within that distance as necessary to prevent contact accidents.
During development of this system, Tokyo International Container Terminal (TICT), conducted the proving tests with the co-operation of MOL's subsidiary, the International Container Terminal Co (which manages and operates the terminals), and the Terminal Engineering Co (which provides maintenance and management services for loading/unloading equipment, including transfer cranes).
MOL plans to introduce the Hawk Eye system at its operated container terminals in succession, as part of ongoing group-wide efforts to ensure the safety and reliability of container loading/unloading operations.
The system was developed by MOL subsidiary Nihon Engineering Co in co-operation with the New Japan Radio Co and Palgiken Co, and is the first such monitoring system in the world to use a microwave sensor.
Microwaves, which are radio waves categorised by specific wavelengths, tend to travel in a straight line in open areas because of their short wavelength, and will reflect off of any metal obstacle in their path.
Microwaves are less susceptible to weather (wind and rain, fog, air density) than conventional radar and ultrasonic sensors. They can measure distance more reliably, irrespective of shapes of objects, because the microwaves cover a larger area than radar. They can also measure longer distances than radar and ultrasonic sensors.
Licence application for a radio frequency is not necessary when installing the system, because it conforms to the 24GHz band specified low power radio certification.
Microwave sensors set in the upper parts of the crane measure distances between the crane and the upper part of the tiered containers to prevent contact, which could cause them to fall like dominoes during loading/unloading.
Sensors in the lower part of the crane measure the relative distance between the crane and other cranes, and the crane and vehicle, and limit the crane's maximum speed within that distance as necessary to prevent contact accidents.
During development of this system, Tokyo International Container Terminal (TICT), conducted the proving tests with the co-operation of MOL's subsidiary, the International Container Terminal Co (which manages and operates the terminals), and the Terminal Engineering Co (which provides maintenance and management services for loading/unloading equipment, including transfer cranes).
MOL plans to introduce the Hawk Eye system at its operated container terminals in succession, as part of ongoing group-wide efforts to ensure the safety and reliability of container loading/unloading operations.