BCS installs new Melbourne Airport baggage system

Melbourne Airport has introduced a high-speed tilt tray baggage sortation system from BCS Airport Systems as part of the airport’s T2 international expansion.

The outbound sortation system has nine new make-up carousels and 500m of tilt tray sorting, and is the result of a partnership between Denmark’s Crisplant, which provided the tilt tray sorters, and BCS’ conveyors and controls, ensuring full integration with the entire baggage and automated controls system.

David Jerram, General Manager at BCS Airport Systems, said the project followed the signing of a Relationship Framework Contract (RFC) between his company and the airport in 2008.

“Melbourne Airport relies on us to provide an intelligent solution that has the ability to detect bags in the system that otherwise would be at risk of missing flights and alert operators accordingly,” Jerram said.

“This is done via BCS’ new SCADA software known as Sym3 – a 3D package which graphically shows where every bag is within the BHS up until the time it is delivered to the make-up carousel for loading.

“The real challenge for us is to ensure the airport runs smoothly during the BHS upgrade as we have three different tie-ins to the existing system.

“We must ensure the new TTS is fully tested and proven before implementing each of the overnight cutovers.”

The baggage handling RFC makes BCS responsible for the whole of life cycle of the baggage handling system at Melbourne Airport from design and simulation through supply and installation to operations and maintenance.

Melbourne Airport handles up to 20,000 pieces of luggage each day through Terminals 2, 3 and 4.