Application Notes
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.
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
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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.
Photo Courtesy of DTEC GmbH Germany
Related Products
TomoView is a powerful and flexible PC-based software used for design, data acquisition, visualization, and analysis of ultrasonic signals.
Automated Train Wheel Inspection Systems
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 PX/PC package to experienced and knowledgeable integrators, who are then able to deliver fully code-compliant inspection systems.
FOCUS PX Acquisition Unit | FocusPC™ Software & SDK
The scalable FOCUS PX acquisition unit and FocusPC software incorporate the latest phased array (PA) and conventional UT technologies for easy integration into automated and semiautomated systems. This inspection solution enables you to generate and save C-scan and A-scan raw data for applications where the verdict is based on post-inspection data analysis. This includes applications in industries such as aerospace (composite laminate), power generation (wind blade), transportation (train wheels), metal (forged parts), and more.