“That can‘t be automated,” was the usual response to the idea of the automatic, driverless operation of a grab unloader.

With a combination of 3D laser scanner, an inertial navigation system from aviation and state-of-the-art control technology, we nevertheless succeeded.

Four unloaders in Hamburg, the largest seaport in Germany, are currently equipped with this technology with up to 60 cycles / hour being achieved, depending on ship and material, with a 35 tonne grab.

The grab “lands” in the hold with an accuracy of 0.5 m – irrespective of the wind and weather, at high and low tide. We are sure that the ship unloader will continue the success story of the automated, driverless stacker / reclaimer.

Fields of application: Bulk material handling in ports, steel mills, power plants etc.

Automation of Grab Ship Unloaders (GSU) for Bulk Materials - Driverless grab unloader for ships
for Hansaport Hafenbetriebsgesellschaft mbH, Hamburg
read this application report (951kB)