A trial operation of an entirely new solution for airport logistics systems started in the fall of 2007 at the Siemens Airport Center in Fürth. The heart of the solution is a cost-effective, simple system called “Crossbelt”. The trays carrying baggage contain a belt that can move sideways, so it can move baggage in both directions at the appropriate exchange points. The motors at these exchange points are driven by frequency changers from the Siemens Sinamics S120 family. At the exchange points, the connection between the tray and the conveyor belt is held by a grooved belt. Given an appropriate speed the tray can move through the exchange point without any sideways movement, or it can move to the left or to the right with a speed given by a negative or a positive offset.
The trial system contains all of the possible exchange point variations that can occur in an airport logistics system, thus making it possible to demonstrate the concept to potential customers.
Operation started successfully at the end of 2007, the system is currently being optimized by the team.