A collapsible approach to auto shipments

UK-based Clive-Smith Associ­ates (CSA) has developed a new car carrying design as part of its well-known CONPAC collaps­ible flatrack range. Two proto­type 40ft units have been put into trial operation by Icelan­dic operator Eimskip to carry compact cars from Europe to Iceland.

The 40ft unit, which has a tare weight of just 2750 kg, is capable of accommodating three compact cars or two larger vehicles. Due to the “open” gate design at each end, the full 40ft length can be used for stowage purposes, with cars projecting beneath the gates at the lower level. Fixed ramps, 45mm high, are provided at each end for a simple drive-on/ drive-off operation.

The end gates rotate through 270 deg to facilitate loading, unloading and collapsing of the units. Unlike conventional col­lapsible flatracks, the counter­balanced corner posts fold transversally so that they are below the height of the side rails. With a collapsed height of 371mm, seven empty units can be inter­locked into an 8ft 6in high module for empty repositioning purposes.

According to CSA, although there is a trend towards carry­ing cars in standard general pur- pose containers, using internal racking or pallet systems, the CONPAC collapsible design offers a number of advantages, not least of which are savings in repositioning costs as cars are largely a one way trade. The CONPAC design also shows savings in set up costs and avoids the logistical problem of returning empty car pallets/racks to base, the company says.

In addition, since the floor height of the CONPAC car car­rier is close to that of the bot­tom side rails, side access for drivers is unrestricted. Car doors can be fully opened with­out the risk of impact, allowing drivers to dismount from the side of the unit.

Vocabulary

approach – подход

develop – разрабатывать

trial – проба, испытание

tare – тара

due to – благодаря

gate – ворота, калитка

stowage – укладка

purpose – цель

project – выдаваться, выступать

beneath – под; ниже; внизу

fixed – неподвижный, фиксированный

ramp – рампа; наклонный въезд

provide – предусматривать

drive-on – въехать

drive-off – выехать

rotate – вращаться

deg = degree – градус

facilitate – облегчать

conventional – обычный

counterbalanced – сбалансированный

transversally – поперечно, поперёк

rail – рельс, брус; ограждение; горизон-

тальная обвязка

trend – тенденция

general purpose – общего назначения

racking – стеллажный

not least – не самый малый; не последний

savings – экономия

trade – торговля, сделка; перевозки; ком-

мерческая деятельность

set up – устанавливать, сооружать

avoid – избегать

since – поскольку

close – близкий

bottom – нижний

access – доступ

unrestricted – неограниченный

impact – удар

dismount – сойти, выйти

interlock – соединяться, сцепляться

The 40ft CONPAC collapsible car carrier can carry three compact cars or two larger units.

When folded, seven units can be interlocked for empty repositioning

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14