The Gramac name lives on in many industrial sectors and in particular, is still reliably serving handling requirements in airports throughout the world. The Gramac quick-release belt curve manufactured by Quartz Systems, part of the leading UK materials handling engineering Group - 'Amber Industries, was first trailed back in 1996 at Brussels National Airport . Two 90º units were installed as part of a test loop demonstrating baggage handling capabilities by the main contractor Logan Fabricom. Since then over 200+ Gramac Belt Curves have been installed at this airport as part of an ongoing upgrade to the baggage handling system. Various Angles and Spiral versions have been supplied to complement the main contractor requirements, with many units being ceiling hung to maintain maximum clear access throughout the baggage hall.
Further a field, Johannesburg Airport was the first non UK Airport to purchase the " Gramac" QR-TR150 Belt Curve in quantity as part of their Baggage Hall upgrade back in 1996, in 1997 other units were sent to South Africa to form part of further baggage system alterations. As part of the companies strategic plans to competitively service South Africa, a partnership was established with a prominent manufacturing company to produce "standard" Gramac belt curves and provide proficient prompt services for existing clients. This association has developed and continued through the business changes, which culminated in the acquisition of the Gramac products by Amber Industries and trading name change to Quartz Systems.
During 2005, special baggage handling units were manufactured in the UK as part of an extension programme to the existing system installed back in Johannesburg Airport in 1996/97 and which is continuing to support reliable baggage handling services within the airport.
Since the formation of Quartz Systems in October 2001, Gramac belt curves and handling units approved to BAA specification have been manufactured for many other airports within the UK, Europe and World-wide.
Market Awareness for Gramac
Following market research undertaken on behalf of Quartz Systems, it was reported that many airports associated the name 'Gramac' with solid proven engineering conveying technology and baggage handling systems.
A feature which was frequently highlighted by maintenance engineers, was the quick release mechanism that is a patented feature of 'Gramac' powered belt bends. This enables two maintenance engineers to change a damaged or worn vulcanised conveyor belt in situ, in less than 10 minutes.
Although the Gramac name is synonymous with belt curves, many customers referred to the supply of Spiral versions and special angles curves of 22.5 & 78.5 degrees, plus the Company's capability to provide total handling solutions. Whilst Quartz Systems continue to manufacture quality, reliable Gramac products it seems that the name will live on for many years to come.
Note for Baggage Handling System
A Baggage Handling System (BHS) is a type of conveyor system installed in airports that transports checked luggage from ticket counters to areas where the bags can be loaded onto airplanes. A BHS also transports checked baggage coming off of airplanes to baggage claims or to an area where the bag can be loaded onto another airplane.
Although a BHS's primary function is the transportation of bags, a typical BHS will serve many other complex functions involved in making sure that a bag gets to the correct location in the airport. The process of identifying a bag, and the information associated with it, to make a decision on where the bag should be directed within the system is known as sortation.
In addition to sortation, a BHS typically also performs the following functions:
Detection of Bag Jams
Volume Regulation (to ensure that input points are controlled to avoid overloading system)
Load Balancing (to evenly distribute bag volume between conveyor sub-systems)
Bag Counting
Bag Tracking
Redirection of Bags via Pusher or Diverter
Merging of Conveyor Lines
