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Reliable Rail around the World

Railway Condition Monitoring Technology and Condition-Based Maintenance

Improve fleet efficiency and reliability with innovative railway solutions and services from SKF. Discover how new railway condition monitoring technology and condition-based maintenance can help you extend maintenance intervals. Our railway specific products and services help you obtain lower life cycle costs by letting you use bearings to their full potential.

Condition-Based Maintenance

Time- and mileage-based maintenance remain the most common methods of inspection and repair of rolling stock. This means critical components are maintained based on distances travelled, regardless of their level of deterioration. These approaches are, however, time-consuming and fail to secure that operators can make better use of their components’ potential service life.

Our condition monitoring solutions provide real-time updates of the condition of your bearings and other components. This way, you can avoid taking bearings out of service too early, and instead removing them only when necessary. Through advanced diagnostics, you can access early warnings about any deterioration in bearing condition. In turn, you have sufficient time to plan maintenance before failures can occur.

Extend maintenance intervals, prolong service life and save costs through improved inventory management using proactive, cost-efficient approaches.

Bogies and Wheelsets

Bogies are complex railway vehicle subsystems, containing brake systems, drive systems, wheelset subsystems and bogie frames with a secondary spring system. Although different bogie designs are applied for different purposes, these serve the same function. This includes supporting the rail vehicle body, helping to ensure stability on track and providing ride comfort. Directly connected to the wheelset and bogie frame is the axlebox, containing the axlebox bearing system, which is connected to further subsystems and components.

Depending on railway gauge, wheel diameter and axleload, wheelsets can have different arrangements and designs. As all of these systems are critical for railway vehicle performance and reliability, careful consideration during the selection of a solution is critical. At SKF, we offer several solutions designed to help ensure reliable and cost-efficient operations. Discover the most suitable one for you.

Condition Monitoring for Rail

Reaching goals of increased maintenance intervals requires a transition from time-based to condition-based maintenance. This proactive approach helps to ensure vehicles are only taken out of service when necessary – saving you both time and money.

Using our technical knowledge and diagnostic expertise, we can help you in this transition. Our condition monitoring solutions for bogies use condition detection systems and sophisticated data processing algorithms to detect, analyze and warn you about incipient damage. This gives you sufficient time to plan maintenance stops before significant mechanical failures can develop, increasing the reliability of operations. In turn, you can enjoy reduced maintenance and life cycle costs, as well as total cost of ownership.

Axleboxes

The need for shorter lead times and improved risk management calls for increasingly reliable railway solutions. As the linking design element between the rotating wheelset and the quasi-static frame of the bogie, axleboxes play a vital role in the reliability of rolling stock. With a considerable influence on reliability and economics on track, superior axlebox solutions are required.

We have a global axlebox sourcing and support network, offering design and engineering support throughout the whole life cycle, including customization combined with proven design concepts. Our packages typically include axleboxes, factory lubricated and sealed, ready to mount wheelset bearing units, sensors and monitoring systems.

With the help of our solutions, you can meet performance demands without increased operational risks. And thanks to increased reliability, you are sure to enjoy reduced life cycle and maintenance costs.

Drive System Bearings

Drive systems such as gearboxes and traction motors for trains must be powerful, sustainable, cost-effective and require minimal maintenance. These requirements are steadily getting more important because of increasingly long maintenance intervals and developments in weight of railway vehicles.

Traction motors must deliver high speeds and handle shock loads, but also resist low load conditions for example in coasting or cruise control mode. Additionally, sensitivity towards electrical discharge contributes to unique design challenges in traction motor bearings.

Gearbox design requirements also place high demands on gearbox bearings and bearing arrangements. Specific challenges include wide operating temperature ranges, high shock loads, and increasing loads overall in combination with the drive to reduce friction within the gearbox and lower energy consumption.

We cooperate with customers and operators to implement the latest requirements, and to innovate and deliver high quality products and services. We have long experience with bearing designs for railway drives. Our drive system bearings are designed to cope with high levels of contamination and perform in humid environments, as well as in conditions with variations in speed, temperature, load, vibration, and shocks. Beside developing new innovative solutions, we also offer a preferred range of commonly used bearings and bearing units with good field experience, as well as references for drive systems to make it easier to choose the right products in the design phase.

Lubrication Solutions for Rail Applications

Thousands of trains around the world operate more reliably and efficiently because of SKF and Lincoln automatic lubrication systems. By delivering precise amounts of lubricant directly to the wheel/rail interface, automatic lubrication systems provide significant benefits in terms of wear, energy and noise reduction.

Rail wear has been a challenge for many years in areas of tight curves or heavy loaded tracks. Additionally, in dry weather, the so-called curve screeching or squealing can occur.

SKF EasyRail on-board systems for wheel flange lubrication and top-of-rail conditioning usually are mounted on the first leading vehicle axle. On-board lubrication systems have proven to be very flexible and effective for railway operators due to their variable setting options.

Wayside lubrication systems effectively apply a consistent and controlled volume of lubricant to the rail. The systems hold that grease or friction modifier in place, allowing the wheels to grab and carry it around the track curve. The product range includes solutions for gauge face, top-of-rail and restraining rail.

High-viscous lubricants and friction modifiers that are applied automatically and independently from each other help achieve the desired reduction of noise and wear.

Services

From providing design expertise and advanced wheelset bearings, to installing lubrication systems, validating safety requirements, mounting bearings and more – we offer various railway solutions worldwide. This includes our core competence in wheelset and drive system bearing design, as well as a global network of production, service and remanufacturing centres. Supported by a vast network of sales, application and service engineers, we help to increase railway vehicle safety, reliability, efficiency and extend service intervals.

We can also offer insights into the operation of railway vehicle bogie systems. To do this, we draw on a combination of bearing design and manufacturing expertise, as well as cutting-edge condition monitoring and application knowledge. By collecting and analyzing data throughout the operational life of the train, we help to enhance the next generation of railway designs in ways not previously possible.

SKF solutions for rail provide:

  • Reduced total cost of ownership (TCO)
  • Reduced maintenance costs
  • Longer maintenance intervals and service life
  • Increased operational safety and reliability
  • Increased energy efficiency

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SKF News

Ningbo Rail Transit Chooses SKF Technology

Ningbo Rail Transit Chooses SKF Technology

With technology from SKF, Ningbo Rail Transit has extended the service life of critical refurbished bearings on 8 trainset vehicles.

High Voltage, Hybrid Solutions

High Voltage, Hybrid Solutions

SKF are extending the lifecycle of bearings by utilising hybrid solutions to phase out harmful high voltage currents.

High Voltage, Hybrid Solutions

High Voltage, Hybrid Solutions

SKF's hybrid deep groove ball bearing offers lower friction, higher precision, and superior electrical insulation properties.

Reinventing the Wheel

Reinventing the Wheel

SKF dives into the history of train wheels and wheelset bearings, exploring the evolution of their design over the ages.

Breathing New Life into Bearings

Breathing New Life into Bearings

According to SKF; the rail industry is facing the challenge of lowering its environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency.

In Focus: Axleboxes

In Focus: Axleboxes

Axleboxes are a vital component of a train’s suspension system, providing support to the axle & maintaining proper alignment with wheelsets.

Bearing Life: More than Mathematics

Bearing Life: More than Mathematics

SKF believes the reliable performance of railway equipment relies heavily on the durability of its components, particularly the bearings.

Televic and SKF to Offer Condition-based Maintenance Capabilities

Televic and SKF to Offer Condition-based Maintenance Capabilities

Televic GSP and SKF have signed an agreement to advance condition-based maintenance for rolling stock manufacturers and operators.

The Future Is Bright. The Future Is Digital

The Future Is Bright. The Future Is Digital

SKF shares how it increasingly looks to create digital experiences which both itself and its customers can benefit from.

The Rail-Volution Will Be Decarbonized

The Rail-Volution Will Be Decarbonized

SKF believes companies must innovate – full steam ahead – and find smarter ways of lowering rail’s existing carbon footprint even further.

SKF at InnoTrans: Traction Motor Bearing Units for the Trains of the Future

SKF at InnoTrans: Traction Motor Bearing Units for the Trains of ...

SKF has manufactured new sealed, maintenance-free traction motor bearing units in close collaboration with the German Aerospace Center.

SKF and Televic GSP Aim to Collaborate to Offer Advanced Maintenance Intelligence for Rolling Stock Operators

SKF and Televic GSP Aim to Collaborate to Offer Advanced Maintena...

SKF and Televic GSP will to collaborate to drive development and innovation to advance condition-based maintenance capabilities for rolling stock operators.

New Axlebox Design for the Railway Freight Market

New Axlebox Design for the Railway Freight Market

SKF has developed a new design for railway freight axleboxes to help customers reduce weight and improve the performance of bogies.

More Power from Smaller Motors with New SKF Hybrid Deep Groove Ball Bearing

More Power from Smaller Motors with New SKF Hybrid Deep Groove Ba...

SKF has developed a new hybrid deep groove ball bearing for high-speed applications such as rail industry traction motors.

SKF Commits to Net Zero Supply Chain by 2050

SKF Commits to Net Zero Supply Chain by 2050

SKF has announced its commitment to have a supply chain with net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

SKF to Service Berlin Underground Carriages in Long-Term Agreement

SKF to Service Berlin Underground Carriages in Long-Term Agreemen...

SKF has signed a long-term agreement with Stadler Rail to equip and service rolling stock for the Berlin underground (U-Bahn) in Germany.

Putting Condition Monitoring Firmly on the Rails

Putting Condition Monitoring Firmly on the Rails

GTR has installed a condition monitoring system developed by SKF to help avoid unplanned maintenance and associated disruption to services.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

Looking Back and Moving Forward

JSG Industrial Systems, SKF’s distributor of lubrication systems in Australia, has a long and storied history in the industrial development of the country.

SKF Condition Monitoring Solution Helps Barcelona Metro Take a Smarter Approach to Service Quality

SKF Condition Monitoring Solution Helps Barcelona Metro Take a Sm...

IMx-Rail condition monitoring technology from SKF helps Barcelona Metro take a smarter approach to service quality.

Rolling Railway Maintenance to a Digital Destination

Rolling Railway Maintenance to a Digital Destination

SKF has developed a condition-based maintenance solution for rail that performs condition monitoring of both track and rolling stock.

SKF Collaborates with ATS to Develop Solutions to Reduce Life Cycle Cost for Rail Freight

SKF Collaborates with ATS to Develop Solutions to Reduce Life Cyc...

SKF and Advanced Truck Systems (ATS) have agreed to collaborate in equipping the new 2-piece bogie system from ATS with high capacity...

SKF Partners with Siemens to Improve Railway Reliability

SKF Partners with Siemens to Improve Railway Reliability

Leading up to InnoTrans 2018 SKF and Siemens signed a partnership agreement that will focus on improving train operators’ asset management efficiencies. The par...

SKF Launch New Cylindrical Roller Bearing Unit for Passenger Trains

SKF Launch New Cylindrical Roller Bearing Unit for Passenger Trai...

SKF extends passenger train wheelset maintenance intervals with the launch of its new SKF Passenger bearing 1.7 Mkm Cylindrical Roller bearing Unit (CRU). Launc...

SKF: Boosting Service Intervals for Traction Motors in the Rail Industry

SKF: Boosting Service Intervals for Traction Motors in the Rail I...

The latest methods of bearing protection – including insulating coatings, hybrid bearings and sealed bearing units – help to extend maintenance intervals for tr...

Končar’s Latest Trains to be Equipped with SKF Bogie Components

Končar’s Latest Trains to be Equipped with SKF Bogie Compon...

Croatian rolling stock producer, Končar KEV has finalised an agreement with SKF for the supply of bogie components for its latest low-floor electric and...

SKF to Supply Railway Wheelset Bearings to Morocco’s National Operator

SKF to Supply Railway Wheelset Bearings to Morocco’s National Ope...

The Moroccan rail operator, ONCF has placed an order with SKF for the delivery of 15,000 railway wheelset bearings over a period of...

Deutsche Bahn’s New Trains Run More Efficiently with Advanced Technologies from SKF

Deutsche Bahn’s New Trains Run More Efficiently with Advanced Tec...

Bearing design and integration expertise from SKF has helped Siemens and Bombardier to create a new generation of reliable, highly efficient passenger...

How Wireless Condition-Based Monitoring will Help Rail Operators

How Wireless Condition-Based Monitoring will Help Rail Operators

Replacing traditional maintenance regimes with condition-based monitoring will help rail operators to reduce the time they spend servicing their rolling...

SKF Wins “Best Supplier of the Year” Award from Traktionssysteme Austria

SKF Wins “Best Supplier of the Year” Award from Trakt...

SKF has been working with TSA to provide a complete range of superior quality standard, hybrid and electrically insulated bearings – most of which are...

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Condition monitoring

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