Glidepath – Sorting Bags in South Africa
14 October 2007
Glidepath Limited has signed a contract with Ilembe EPC Joint Venture to supply and install a fully automated Baggage Handling System (BHS) for the new King Shaka International airport to be built in Durban, South Africa.
The contract valued in the range NZD$10–20 million has recently commenced commissioning with the system scheduled for completion by the end of 2009. As South Africa is hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup the new airport will form a significant part of the transport infrastructure.
The scope of supply comprises of 72 check-in scale conveyors with bi-directional collector conveyors and general transport conveyors delivering baggage to four in-line automated X-ray screening machines. Vertical sorters are employed to separate cleared bags, with additional conveyors and equipment for bags requiring further checking. Following X-ray screening are Automatic Tag Readers, a manual encode line and a dual recirculating belt sort loop with diverters to 15 laterals. The complete outbound system is controlled by Glidepath's 'GlideSort' high level control software.
The inbound baggage handling system comprises of five overlapping slat friction drive carousels. An out-of-gauge baggage conveyor system with in-line X-ray, and an early bag store complete the Baggage Handling System.
