STACK@EASE is designed to function intuitively, as if it were an extension of the baggage handler’s own arm. The concept is simple: a disc-shaped bamboo platform at the end of a rotating, extendable, height-adjustable arm is used as a tool to move bags from conveyor to container and vice versa.
As airports adjust to the challenges of an ever-changing market, advances in technology mean that passengers expect a stress-free journey. Airports of all sizes are responding through technologies including self-boarding and self check-in facilities. An equally important aspect of the traveller experience, of course, is that baggage arrives on time, at the correct destination.
This proposition is at the heart of many baggage handling innovations, including Vanderlande’s STACK@EASE – an ergonomic manual loading aid for flight make-up. Vanderlande explains that health & safety considerations for baggage handlers are becoming an increasingly prominent issue. “While legislation in this area is being tightened, a high rate of sickness absence caused by musculoskeletal problems results in operational as well as financial inefficiencies,” explains one of Vanderlande’s baggage handling experts. “Manual handling of baggage is responsible for most of this absence, as it requires loading and manoeuvring weights up to 32 kilos, often through awkward positions.”
STACK@EASE is designed to function intuitively, as if it were an extension of the baggage handler’s own arm. The concept is simple: a disc-shaped bamboo platform at the end of a rotating, extendable, height-adjustable arm is used as a tool to move bags from conveyor to container and vice versa. “All the baggage handler has to do is bring the disc to the desired location and slide each bag on and off it,” adds one of Vanderlande’s baggage handling experts. “The arm is responsive to both the weight of the bag and the operator’s manipulation, so it moves as required while taking almost the complete strain of the load. This allows handlers to move bags of any weight, size, shape or material as if they were almost weightless.”
Baggage handlers can work intuitively and move easily, without bearing any heavy loads or twisting through awkward positions. Because STACK@EASE is designed to function more like a tool than a machine, it moves however the operator chooses, simply by grabbing the disc.
The greatly reduced physical effort means operators can handle more bags within the same timeframe. This results in higher throughput per employee and more consistent baggage handling performance.
“Even the most sophisticated automated baggage handling systems still often rely on human baggage handlers at the end of the line, who manually pick up bags and load them into containers,” comments one of Vanderlande’s baggage handling experts. “Making this task more efficient meant making it more ergonomic. STACK@EASE was therefore developed according to a structured ergonomics approach.”
Trials in operational environments at airports led to additional developments, such as an integrated facility for baggage reconciliation, which doesn’t interrupt smooth workflow.
Baggage handling system for Istanbul New Airport
Meanwhile, Vanderlande secured a record order intake of €1.4 billion in 2015 for its integrated solutions. This represents an increase of up to €400 million compared to the previous year’s order intake of €1 billion. In the baggage handling market, a significant landmark for Vanderlande is the news that it will supply the entire baggage handling system for Istanbul New Airport.
The company has also been selected as the supplier for the Terminal 1 redevelopment project at Singapore Changi Airport, which is its largest-ever baggage handling contract in the Asian market. Further orders for Vanderlande’s innovative systems and intelligent software have been secured at Kiev Boryspil Airport, and Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
