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Automated Train Wheel Inspection

Train Wheel Inspection

AAR, ISO, and EN Compliant

Railway transport continues to play an important role in the transportation industry; due in large part to its speed, reliability, and affordability. To maintain this viability, ensuring train safety and integrity is key. Stringent regulations are imposed on the inspection of train wheels and axles in both the manufacturing and service sectors. To meet and exceed these strict criteria, Olympus provides the power and flexibility of its FOCUS LT/TomoView package to experienced and knowledgeable integrators, who are then able to deliver fully code-compliant inspection systems.

Photo Courtesy of DTEC GmbH Germany

Manufacturing Inspection

Requirements

Radial Defects:

2.0 mm FBH for high speed train wheels.
3.2 mm FBH for freight train wheels.
Various depths from tread surface.

Axial Defects:

2.0 mm FBH for high speed train wheels.
3.2 mm FBH for freight train wheels.
Various depths from rim surface.

Code Compliance

EN 13262
ISO 5948
AFNOR 09-340

Performance

Inspection time down to 30 s/wheel for freight train wheels.
- Complete thread and rim areas coverage.
Inspection time down to 3 min./wheel for high speed train wheels.
- In-depth thread, rim, hub and flange coverage.

In-Service Inspection

Requirements

Radial Defects:

1.0 mm FBH for high speed train wheels.
2.0 to 3.2 mm FBH for freight train wheels.
Various depths from tread surface.

Axial Defects:

3.0 or 5.0 mm FBH in the web section.
Up to 3 defects at different depths.

Code Compliance

ESR 0331
EN 13262
AAR M107-84

Performance

Inspection time down to 30 s/wheel for freight train wheels.
- Complete thread and rim areas coverage.
Inspection time down to 3 min./wheel for high speed train wheels.
- In-depth thread, rim, hub, and flange coverage.

Optional High Speed Train Inspection Requirements

Multizone Coverage

Specific code requirements subdivide the rim area into zones requiring additional coverage.

Sub Bore-Hole Area Inspection

Some codes require the inspection of the area under the bore holes, which is achieved with a Pitch-Catch configuration.

High-Performance Package

Experience the power of the FOCUS LT acquisition unit, the flexibility of the TomoView software, and the customization capability provided by the software development kits (SDK). These three components work in unison to maximize the performance of train wheel inspection systems.

TomoScan FOCUS LT Specifications

Dynamic Depth Focusing

Improved defect resolution in the thread and rim areas

Multipod

Scalable electronics for simultaneous full wheelset inspection and greatly reduced inspection time

Interface Tracking Feature

Precise A-scan data, even for wheels with rough surfaces.

Presynchronization Capability

Greatly improved near-backwall defects detection in the rim fillet area.

Scalability

Use 1, 2, or 3 FOCUS LT acquisition units to match the expected system productivity.

Enhanced multiprobe capability for simultaneous full wheelset inspection.
Up to a threefold increase in inspection speed for reduced inspection time per wheelset.

Automation and Customization

Fully automate your inspection system to reduce the cycle time per wheel and enhance detectability.

Customizable User Interface

Create your own specially designed user interface that optimizes and streamlines your system’s performance.

TomoView and SDK Features

Advanced multiprobe and multigroup management for in-depth thread, rim, hub, and flange coverage.
Dedicated user interface based on train wheel inspection requirements.
Live data retrieval capability for customized external data presentation and processing.
Fully automated and operator-free inspection systems using the SDKs.