Page 17 - Port Of Hamburg Magazine - 01.24

Among them is Bernhard Martens, head mechanic at the AGV workshop. He has just parked an almost 27-tonne AGV as effortlessly as a toy, via remote con- trol. He visibly enjoys his work – just like the interplay of technology at the port, which he finds “super inter- esting”. That is why he applied at the port in 2007, leaving a job at a car garage, and has since complet- ed various training programmes at the HHLA.
While the first AGVs had a diesel-hydraulic drive sys- tem, the second generation were diesel-electric – be- fore battery power was finally introduced. For the first changeover, Martens needed training as an electron- ics specialist for particular tasks. The three-week pro- gramme enables him to perform certain processes with up to 1,000 volts independently, such as measur- ing and calibration or switching out components. A three-day high-voltage training course was held for the new generation of AGV batteries with 800 volts of
direct current. “In technical professions, it’s important to keep developing; vehicle technology changes every 15 to 20 years,” he explains. There are shorter inter- vals for safety or system training as well as other train- ing courses for minor components.
As head mechanic, he has been responsible for a team of seven at the workshop since March 2011. Everything is clean and tidy here – even the grease gun for lubricating joints which is used to install new parts. Martens stands beside a vehicle lift, which can raise AGVs to a working height; a ceiling crane is suspended overhead. He takes a look at what his staff are currently doing, before connecting some cables within the exposed interior of an AGV. He then moves to a PC for AGV test runs and orders re- placement parts. The fact that a colleague is detach- ing the cabin from a tractor using a loud impact screwdriver in order to repair the engine is no dis- traction for him.
Martens takes the occasional call from the terminal control station and monitors AGV faults online, be- fore putting the driverless transport system in the test area, repairing and returning it to operations. For him, this is where digitalisation shows its advantag- es: “The program runs the machine with an even load, which means longer maintenance intervals.”
When it comes to highly specialised devices, Mar- tens enjoys looking for technical optimisations and he’s proud to keep AGVs and traction engines run- ning: “I love how I can see what I’ve accomplished at the end of the day and how I don’t do the same thing every day.” The challenge for him: “Setting priorities to keep the fleet fit for service.”
The father of two even finds the time to get involved on the Works Council and bargaining committees: “I like personally standing up for the protection of my colleagues,” he says.
PORT OF HAMBURG MAGAZINE 1/24 YOUR PORT YOUR JOB
PAGE 17
Head mechanic in AGV-workshop
Requirements:
In order to start as a head mechanic at HHLA Technik, tech- nical training as a mechatronics engineer or electronics technician for automation technology is required. HHLA Technik also offers training in this area.
Soft skills:
An ability to organise and a structured approach to work are likewise advantageous. Having an open ear, being communicative and the capacity to motivate others are al- so important soft skills for this profession.
Bernhard Martens at the SCA workshop.
©HHLA