Based on its recent analysis of the rail acceleration and rotation rate sensors market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Advanced Sensors Calibration (ASC) GmbH with the 2014 European Frost & Sullivan Company of the Year Award. ASC has not only consistently delivered advanced technology and high-quality service, but has also improved its product range and expanded into other continents to emerge a true global competitor.
ASC’s rotation rate sensors aid the measurement of three effective degrees of freedom as well as monitor the stability of the bogies and functionality of shafts, bearings, brakes, and axles. Its feedback-driven product development strategy has proved to be extremely successful in helping it stay ahead of the curve.
The company’s commitment to quality is evident in its development of Gyro, a device that measures and maintains the orientation of the vehicle when subjected to external forces or loads. As it is based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, it is small and able to emit steady signals, and is shock resistant.
Another key product, the inertial measurement unit (IMU), measures acceleration, velocity, orientation, and the gravitational forces that impact the vehicle, even at low speeds, using a combination of gyroscopes and accelerometers. The IMUs have capacitive technology, which can measure all conductive input, and piezoresistive technology. These products are linked to MEMS technology, giving them excellent stability and shock resistance while enabling them to produce amplified output.
“Additionally, ASC designs sensors for geological measurement on railway tracks to measure the shock transmitted to the soil from trains through the railbed,” says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Krishna Achuthan. “The measured data indicate whether the soil characteristics are suited to sufficient rail stability, which in turn helps rail operators maintain rail track geometry to control the performance of trains passing over that particular track.”
ASC focuses on designing superior-quality sensors with an option to customize the sensor to reduce costs. The sensors can be used in numerous applications developed specifically to measure low acceleration. It covers a wide temperature range and boasts shock resistance of 7,000 g.
The Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH (DAkkS) awarded the calibration laboratory of ASC GmbH on 23rd April 2013 with the authority to execute calibrations according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for the following mechanical measurands, Acceleration.Certificate registration no.: D-K-18110-01-00.
Furthermore, owing to its best-in-class service, ASC is certified by ISO 9001:2008, which sets the criteria for quality management.
“ASC has shown eagerness to enlarge its footprint in competitive markets such as Brazil and China, and augment its product portfolio to cover new application areas,” says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Shyam Raman. “It intends to add a second distributor in China, and has expanded its distribution network by setting up a sales offices Brazil, and adding distributors in Turkey, Brazil, India and China.
Due to its strong overall performance, Frost & Sullivan recognises ASC with the 2014 European Company of the Year Award for rail acceleration and rotation rate sensors.
