17 JAN 2017
Bulk cargo of coal and flux are dispatched regularly from ports to destination areas by various types of wagons types. Different types of wagons have different chargeable weights, which is around 68 Metric Ton (MT) per wagon with a tolerance of maximum +2 MT. The Wagons are supposed to be loaded with the weight of 68MT+2MT (figure 1). It is not desired to load to a lesser capacity (<68MT>
In the past, wagons were loaded based on volume. Subsequently, in order to deal with the above problem, loaders were fitted with load cells (figure 2) to measure the weight of material at the time of loading the wagon. Surveyors are deployed to monitor the load cell reading. Usage of load cells on loaders is not solving the problem as there are variations between the load cell measurement and In-motion weigh bridge measurement (figure 3).
In view of the present situation, and to increase the efficiency in wagon loading, it is desired to have a wagon scanning system to measure its gross weight. This scanning system can scan a loaded wagon at the loading point and hence the gross weight of the wagon (Material weight + Wagon weight) is known. It is important to note that there are various types of wagons and there are various types of materials that are loaded on these wagons.
Success Criteria:
By implementing the scanning system there should be zero wagons beyond the maximum allowable gross weight of the wagon. In case of a mismatch with IMWB weighing system, the same should be contestable with the implemented new solution.