Triplex of Norway say they have installed a net handling system with the potential for automated control from a PC.
The system has been put on the new purse seiner/trawler Libas owned by Norway's Bergen-based Lie Group. The package has a Triplex crane (NU-6000) for automatic stacking of purse nets in two net bins, arranged inside the vessels super structure, runs 8.25m in a fore-and-aft direction on specially-designed tracks and has a 360 degree arm equipped with a roller unit with a hauling power of six tonnes and winch capacity of five tonnes.
There is a Triplex intermediate roller type TR-160, with a hauling power of six tonnes, installed against the net tube inside the forward wall of the superstructure. "The roller has a vertical twist system and a program for automatic adjustment against the roller in the net-stacking crane
Then the triplex cork line stacker FL-112 runs in an aft-and-forward direction on specially-designed tracks and has the roller unit linked to a crane arm which can swivel 180 degrees horizontally. The cork line stacker easily handles the two net bins.
There is a Triplex sink line stacker GL-260 installed forward on the starboard side of the net bin. It can be manoeuvred over the intended area of the net bin, enabling the sink line to be stacked separately from the netting as preferred.
Above the aft net bin is a Triplex stacker (transport roller) TR-92 as auxiliary equipment, which can transport the spare purse net to the main bin when it is needed for use. The TR-92 can be hydraulically swung away to one side when not in use.
The system's Triplex ring needle is specially-designed for installing upside down over the hatchway where the net is shot. The whole system offers synchronized automatic control of all movements. All stacking pattern functions can be programmed and simulated on a laptop PC. These can easily be altered, even during stacking operations. During stacking, rollers align automatically with the corresponding equipment. The equipment can also be controlled by radio from handheld tablets, and there is also manual control through levers on the solenoid valves, which are mounted on a common control console forward of the bins.
Triplex adds: "When the system is drilled [set up for use] it should not any longer be necessary for any crew to take part in the net bins".