NEXTSENSE GmbH
Unmatched Measurement Expertise across Rail Applications
This article first appeared in the Railway-News Magazine Issue 3 2023.
Across the rail industry, metrology is an increasingly used tool for ensuring production productivity and quality is improved and wastage is minimised without compromising passenger comfort and safety.
In manufacturing and maintenance, the integration of advanced inspection technology is a necessity. Each area of the railway production process has high potential for productivity gains by introducing improved inspection methods.
Hexagon has the ground-breaking metrology and automation expertise needed to understand and deliver solutions to various challenges.
Focus on Solutions for Railway Wheelset and Track Profile Measurement
Train wheelsets and rail infrastructure are typical wear parts and have significant effects on passenger comfort and safety as well as noise and ride. Profiles of wheels, brake discs, rails and switches are therefore regulated by recurring measurement operations in demanding operating conditions. The challenge lies in Measurement & Testing Services the efficient generation of valid measurement data for the entire wheel-rail system. Efficient wheelset profile measurement can drive timely maintenance actions and help minimise train downtime, as well as ensuring a smooth and safe journey for rail passengers.
Hexagon’s 2D laser profilers, automated on-track systems or portable measuring arms combined meet the specific demands of the railway industry by delivering accurate and reproducible results, independent of operator influence. These specialised rail profile measurement devices are widely used for wheel profile inspection, brake disc measurement, wheel distance measurement, wheel wear inspection and rail wear inspection.
Technologies and Products
2D Laser Profiler
Designed to measure all common train wheel, brake and track profiles, handheld rail measurement devices provide quick and correct evaluations with high repeatability.
The unique CALIPRI principle from Hexagon is a development of laser light section technology for non-contact dimension and profile measurements. It involves an innovative technology automatically correcting tilts and rotations of the measurement device. The result: highly accurate, reproducible, and user-independent measurement results – by hand and within seconds. Never again struggle with imprecisely positioned gauges: CALIPRI replaces error-prone and imprecise inspection devices.
