The need to minimise crane downtime makes spreader management a key issue for container terminals. There are many ways of communicating with spreaders but a popular way is to use a databus. The so-called “two wire” system avoids the need for extra conductors, so the spreader cable remains the same size even though the spreaders have become more complex. Databuses are reliable, have a high transfer rate and can recognise data error. They also work well in “noisy” electrical environments such as a crane.
In essence, two approaches have been taken with regard to the databus. Suppliers such as RAM Spreaders (Ram) and Stinis have adopted an ASi (Actuator Sensor interface) bus. This was originally developed by Siemens for factory process machine control purposes, to reduce the amount of wiring at the sensor/actuator level....
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This complete item is approximately 4430 words in length, and appeared in the September 2004 issue of WorldCargo News, on page 36.
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