The station can be easily configured for all types and sizes of wheels manufactured at the customer’s factory, i.e. ranging from small tram wheels to large locomotive wheels. To ensure the reliable operation of the optical components, the entire station is housed in a lockable chamber with an internal roller shutter, thus protecting it from light and external influences. The station’s throughput – inspection of one wheel per minute, including evaluation and statistical processing of the results – keeps well ahead of the customer’s production line rate.
Description of the System
The station is designed for comprehensive measurement of railway wheels in specified standard sizes. Measurement of all parameters, with the exception of the final machined centre bore, is carried out using the optical laser trigonometry method.
The measurement of geometric parameters is carried out by a measuring gantry, connected to an intelligent universal clamping device, which consists of three universal clamping sections ensuring precise clamping and controlled rotation of the wheel being measured. The system comprises an input–output table, an internal rotary manipulator, a measuring gantry fitted with nine cameras and lasers, and a tactile-trigger measuring system for measuring the precise hub bore of the wheel.
Wheel geometry is measured by cameras which capture and simultaneously measure the position of the laser path. The cameras capture the axis at a specific angle. They can therefore indicate the position of the path, the profile shape and the geometry of the overall surfaces, facets or radii on the wheel hub and rim.
The shape of the railway wheel is scanned using a system of cameras and lasers. The principle of laser triangulation is used for the measurement.
The precise measurement of the wheel hub bore is carried out by a contact measurement system integrated into the station’s measuring gantry.
Parameters of the Automated System
- Wheel geometry measurement cycle: max. 60 s
- Scanning speed: 10 scans/s
- Number of scans per wheel revolution: 500
Parameters of the Wheels Being Measured
Wheel diameter: up to 1400 mm
Wheel rim width: up to 260 mm
Wheel weight: up to 1200 kg
The system has been developed in collaboration with Amest s.r.o.