First Lego League Cargo Connect - Weighing shipping containers

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]

Weighing shipping containers

So far, we have not found any evidence of weighing scales on cranes.

However, there are a few other methods where the weight of freight containers are obtained.

Weighbridge

The system is beneficial when loads can only be weighed at time of movement from one place to another. The weighbridge system includes monitors and an ability to print tickets. Trucks need to be weighed twice. Once with load, and once empty, to calculate the weight of the freight.

This is probably a much better solution than a scale on the crane. If weighing is left till the last minute for the crane to detect, any weight discrepancies will cause delays to stowage and delay to the ship’s departure.

Watch this video to see how to use a weighbridge.

Shipping Container Scales

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_gallery type=”parallax_image_grid” images=”6018,6021″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]While a weighbridge is the most convenient way to weigh shipping containers while it is loaded on a truck, there are other shipping container scales that can weigh the container when it is not on the truck.

Portable scales act as “legs” for the 4 corners of the container. It lifts up the container off the ground in a very similar way like a car jack. A smartphone app then receives the data from the 4 devices on each corner and combines to calculate a total weight. One benefit of this portable scale over the weighbridge is the ability for it to detect unevenly placed goods. If the weight on one side of the container is more than the other side, it will cause pallets inside to become unstable and shift during crane loading or ship journey. Watch this Bison portable scale video to see how it works.

Non-portable container scales also exist. These are essentially giant scales and requires a forklift to bring the container onto the scale for weighing. Diverseco is an Australian company that manufactures container scales.

Fascinating Facts

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” constrain_group_2=”yes” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_flip_box bg_color=”#f9cf43″ text_color=”dark” icon_color=”accent-color” bg_color_2=”#353535″ text_color_2=”light” h_text_align=”center” v_text_align=”center” image_loading=”default” flip_direction=”horizontal-to-left” front_content=”How many containers can fit on a ship?”]A container ship can fit anywhere between 18,000 containers and up to 24,000 containers on the largest ship HMM Algeciras.[/nectar_flip_box][nectar_flip_box bg_color=”#89a5ff” text_color=”dark” icon_color=”accent-color” bg_color_2=”#353535″ text_color_2=”light” h_text_align=”center” v_text_align=”center” image_loading=”default” flip_direction=”horizontal-to-left” front_content=”How many seafarers work on the ship?”]Around 20-30 seafarers work on a container ship when it sails.[/nectar_flip_box][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_flip_box bg_color=”#ffa172″ text_color=”dark” icon_color=”accent-color” bg_color_2=”#353535″ text_color_2=”light” h_text_align=”center” v_text_align=”center” image_loading=”default” flip_direction=”horizontal-to-left” front_content=”How many containers can be loaded/unloaded per hour?”]Approximately 60 contains can be loaded/unloaded per hour. This speed greatly affects how long the ship will be docked at a port before it can set for sail.[/nectar_flip_box][nectar_flip_box bg_color=”#d79cfc” text_color=”dark” icon_color=”accent-color” bg_color_2=”#353535″ text_color_2=”light” h_text_align=”center” v_text_align=”center” image_loading=”default” flip_direction=”horizontal-to-left” front_content=”To drive a car for 24 hours, it costs around $200 in petrol. How much does it cost a container ship to sail a day?”]For a container ship to sail at a cruising 18 knots (around 33km/hr), the fuel will cost USD$200,000. The faster the ship sails, the more fuel it will burn.[/nectar_flip_box][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_flip_box bg_color=”#6ef46e” text_color=”dark” icon_color=”accent-color” bg_color_2=”#353535″ text_color_2=”light” h_text_align=”center” v_text_align=”center” image_loading=”default” flip_direction=”horizontal-to-left” front_content=”How long does it take to fully load/unload a ship?”]It takes 3,000 people working three days in shifts around the clock to load and unload a giant ship with capacity for 20,000 containers. When there are less workers, that means will take more days.[/nectar_flip_box][nectar_flip_box bg_color=”#f4a4b9″ text_color=”dark” icon_color=”accent-color” bg_color_2=”#353535″ text_color_2=”light” h_text_align=”center” v_text_align=”center” image_loading=”default” flip_direction=”horizontal-to-left” front_content=”What is the difference between container ships and cargo ships?”]A container ship carries containers, mostly to store manufactured goods.

A cargo ship carries goods that are not suitable for container storage such as wheat, flour, gas (raw materials).[/nectar_flip_box][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]

Interviewing Experts

We are interviewing experts over the next week or so as I set up calls with a few kind people over social media who work in the shipping industry. Let’s organise our questions so that we can utilise these calls efficiently.

Reaching out to the community for our Innovation Project is part of Discovery and Impact from the FIRST Core Values and something that the judges look out for during your judging session.

I expect that after our talks with industry experts, we should be able to narrow down to 1 defined problem, and propose a solution.

Team Role Reshuffle

Growing up is not always about getting comfortable. The same applies in FLL. ?

As we start to get used to our roles, its time to change things around. That way, we have an opportunity to be exposed to different areas of the project and push ourselves to adapt.[/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”6041″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text]This reshuffle can go both ways. You may love the change, or you hope it didn’t happen. The important thing is we have a go and try our best.

We can discuss again in our next meeting if you feel another role reshuffle is required.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]