Every day, around 50 wagons loaded with scrap metal from the ➚recycling company TSR roll over the so-called scrap island in the port of Duisburg. Thanks to our implementation, state-of-the-art weighing technology and intelligent image recognition record every single wagon weight there fully automatically – precisely, efficiently and verifiably.
At the heart of the new weighing infrastructure is the ➚dynamicHE-DRS 1M rail scale from ESSMANN | Waagen & Automation. In combination with the powerful ➚weighing software EWP-GW and our innovative camera-based ➚UIC number recognition, the result is a future-proof overall system for industrial bulk loading in the recycling sector.
TSR Recycling: Innovation and sustainability as corporate maxims
The ➚ TSR Recycling GmbH & Co., part of the REMONDIS Group, is one of Europe’s leading providers of metal recycling services. With its new development ➚TSR40 the company has set a milestone in the sustainable recycling of raw materials. The high-purity recycling product is produced in a new, state-of-the-art processing plant in Duisburg, which processes up to 450,000 tons of scrap annually. TSR40 makes a decisive contribution to offering steel manufacturers such as thyssenkrupp and Mercedes-Benz climate-friendly alternatives for the blast furnace process – a flagship project for the circular economy in Germany.
ESSMANN implemented a calibratable HE-DRS 1M track scale for TSR, which was installed directly in the ballast bed without a concrete foundation – including connection to transponder technology, signaling technology and image recognition. This installation completely eliminates the manual weighing process. The wagons are simply pulled over the scales – the system automatically weighs each wagon during the journey and writes the weight data, including the corresponding UIC number, to the data record.
Automatic identification: ESSMANN UIC number recognition
A particular highlight of the project is the integration of the specially developed ESSMANN ➚UIC number recognition system. This reliably recognizes the UIC numbers applied to the wagons, even under adverse conditions:
- High detection rate >95 %
- Day and night operation thanks to energy-efficient LED lighting
- Tolerant of dirty, stencilled or low-contrast numbers
- Real-time transmission of detection data
- Seamless integration into ERP, rail and TOS systems
This technology forms the basis for a precise link between wagon number and weight. It reduces personnel costs and susceptibility to errors – a real efficiency lever for TSR.
Controlled speed and status signals
Dynamic weighing requires a constant transit speed. This is ensured by a three-fluid signal transmitter, which visually indicates to the train driver whether the speed is correct. Too fast or too slow? The signals provide immediate feedback. The system also displays the status of the scales at all times – for maximum operational safety.
Scrap weighing in real time, with a system
The HE-DRS 1M rail scale from ESSMANN is precisely tailored to the harsh requirements of the recycling industry at TSR Recycling:
- Robust, low-maintenance and calibratable
- Fully automatic weight determination during the crossing
- Complete system with scales, UIC number recognition, transponder integration, weighing software and signaling system
The HE-DRS makes an important contribution: as a digital interface between material input and resource utilization, it enables the precise recording and documentation of material flows – a key component for a transparent and functioning circular economy.
Do you have any questions about this project or about integrating our dynamic rail scales into your operating processes?
Then please contact us – our team of scale construction experts will provide you with comprehensive and practical advice.
Photos: Hüber
