MINIPROFMEASUREMENT OF CROSS SECTIONAL WHEEL AND RAIL PROFILES

Properly controlled profiles for rail and wheels reduce the risk of derailment andminimize the dynamic interaction between vehicle and track. This is also improvingpassenger comfort, while besides reducing material stresses and wear of trackand vehicle components.

Both rails and wheels are gradually wearing in service, resulting in a continuouschange of profiles. Regular recording of both wheel and rail profiles makes itpossible to monitor changes and control maintenance in an optimum way, in orderto reduce maintenance costs and improve safety.

The portable MINIPROF instrument allows to measure and control the profiles in aconvenient manner. It can be used for measurements during standardmaintenance of rails and rolling stock.

In addition to the standard MINIPROF system there are also dedicated versions.The so-called TWINHEAD MINIPROF was specially designed to measure bothwheels and both rails simultaneously for wheel/rail studies. A special version wasdeveloped for measuring multiple-profiles in turnouts, referred to as the MINIPROFSWITCH. It facilitates recording of switch blades, stock rails, frogs, as well asmultiple-profiles in crossings.

Applications:

Rail grinding;

Rail and Switch maintenance;

Wheel/Rail studies (contact mechanics);

Wheel maintenance.

ECS is working together with Greenwood Engineering in Denmark.

Version 2.3 of the MINIPROF software hasbeen released. Customers can obtain adownload key via rikke@greenwood.dk orrodi@greenwood.dk

MINIPROF FOR PDA

PDA version for MINIPROF Rail and Switch is alsoavailable!

MINIPROF for Pocket PC is the software used for making measurements with a MINIPROF USB instrument on a PDA.The main features include the measurement, calculation of standard wear parameters on wheels (Sd, Sh and qR), on rails (W1,W2 and W3) and viewing measurements. Calculated wear parameters can be compared automatically with limits from referenceprofiles, displaying warnings when these are exceeded.

In addition the software offers ways of transferring data from the PDA to a PC for further analysis with the MINIPROF softwarepackage.

The PDA is normally delivered with a protection case that makes it water- and shock resistant. It can of course be used withoutthis cover to minimize the size and weight.

Easy to use

Using the MINIPROF instrument with a Pocket PC isstraightforward. The instrument is now easier than ever tooperate for one person due to the small size of the PDA. ThePocket PC software is simple and has a user interfacedesigned with large buttons making it possible to use a fingerinstead of the stylus.

Instant evaluation

Profile and wear parameters are instantly displayed on thePDA after a measurement is completed, giving the option ofaccepting or rejecting the measurement. Wear parametersare also compared with limits from references, includingUIC60, UIC S1002 and of course customer definedreferences.

Setting up

The instrument is detected automatically, just as on astandard PC. Information about the wheel or rail can beentered before collecting the profile. This information isstored along the measurement and can be used later foridentifying the individual measurements. The availableoptions are configurable and extendable.

Viewing profiles

Profiles collected on the PDA can be viewed afterwards toinspect the shape, wear parameters and whether limits areexceeded. Measurements can be transferred to a PC forstorage and, if required, further analysis with the MINIPROFfor Windows software.

APPLICATIONS

MINIPROF RAIL for rolling mill

Measured rail profile

MINIPROF Wheel with diameter measurement

MINIPROF RAIL for measurements in track

MINIPROF Perpendicular Device

Wheel profile measurements by NedtrainConsulting (Netherlands)

MINIPROF Twinhead wheel with PDA

Recent MINIPROF generation

High resolution and precision;

No external encoder cable;

Measurement of the ambient temperature

Measurement of the transverse track slope

Produced in titanium, so very robust.

Customers

MINIPROF systems are now successfully applied on the following railwayadministrations and industries:

MINIPROF for light rail wheels

Measured wheel profile

MINIPROF SWITCH new version

DSB Denmark;

BANVERKET Sweden;

NSB Norway;

VR, Finland;

NS The Netherlands;

Sogerail France;

LUL England;

BR England;

NRC Canada;

AAR USA;

BN USA;

ARC Group, USA;

BN Bombardier Eurorail, Belgium;

Loram Maintenance of Way, US &

UK;

Sky Train, Canada;

CP Rail, Canada;

Modern Continental Constructions,

USA;

National Castings, USA;

Norfolk Southern, USA;

Docklands Light Rail, UK;

Booz, Allen & Hamilton USA;

Spoornet South Africa;

DB AG Germany (Twinhead);

Korean High Speed Rail

Authority;

SkyTrain, Canada;

Port Authority of Allegheny,

USA;

Burlington Northern, USA;

Union Pacific, USA;

BHP, Australia;

Voest Alpine, Austria;

Rail Sciences, USA;

ADtranz, Germany;

Stahlberg, Germany;

RENFE (AVE), Spain;

China National Elec. Imp.,

China;

Nycta-Mow, USA;

Resco Eng., Canada;

TTCI, USA;

Queensland Rail, Australia;

Serco Railtest Ltd, UK;

GE Transportation Systems,

USA;

Rheinische Bahngesellschaft

AG, Germany;

Hong Kong Institute of

Vocational Education (Tsing Yi)

VTC, Hong Kong;

Movares, The Netherlands

SNCF, France;

KCRC, Hong Kong;

NMBS, Belgium;

Speno, Switzerland;

Thyssen Stahl, Germany;

SBB, Switzerland;

MTRC, Singapore;

MIVB, Belgium;

SMRT, Singapore;

Eastern & Oriental, Singapore;

UNDP, India;

NMH Stahlwerke, Germany;

Connexxion, Netherlands;

Nippon Kikai Hosen, Japan;

Rio Doce, Brazil;

Athens Metro, Greece;

The Hague Tramway, The

Netherlands;

Lucchini Siderurgica, Italy;

CAF, Spain;

Bombardier, Canada;

Kelsan (Europe), UK;

Corade Spa, Italy;

Stadtwerke Bonn, Germany;

Bogestra, Germany;

Railroad Friction Products, USA;

Eichholz GmbH & Co, Germany;

De Lijn, Belgium;

BAM, The Netherlands;

All-Russian Railway Research

Institute (VNIIZhT);

NedTrain Consulting, The

Netherlands;

Profile processing software

MINIPROF Specifications

For further details view/download brochures in pdf format.