measurement technology

PJM tests double-decker trains from Stadler Rail

Austrian passenger transport will be enriched by the KISS double-decker train from Stadler Rail in the future. As an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited test center, PJM is making a decisive contribution to this with tests on the pantograph and oscillations measurements.

Until the end of January, PJM carried out dynamic track tests in accordance with EN 50317 in the pantograph area on Stadler Rail's KISS double-decker train. The measurements were carried out in multiple traction. The vehicle data and data from two pantographs were recorded synchronously. This has enabled a seamless transition from the development and establishment of the new test area for complex pantograph measurements to the realization of a specific project.

The double-decker multiple-unit train will undergo further test runs. Since February, the rail vehicle have been tested for torsional vibrations. Eight telemetry systems are used to determine and record the strains on the wheelsets. The barrier-free double-decker multiple-unit trains with a large passenger capacity will be used throughout Austria for ÖBB's local and long-distance services.

Get more details in the press release

Even more team power: PJM continues its organic growth

In January we welcomed 3 new colleagues and last year we increased our team power with 10 new employees. PJM has thus continued its organic growth. ‘We have expanded in all areas. Our headquarters and technical facilities have been expanded and our teams have been strengthened in all specialized disciplines, namely in measurement and testing technology, digital rail freight transport, PJ Motion and RCC,’ summarise Martin Joch and Günter Petschnig. There are still many ideas and concrete plans for the future. However, the focus will continue to be on growing steadily, but in manageable steps.

General / Waggon Tracker - 01/30/2025

Styrian governor Christopher Drexler visits PJM

A lot is happening at our location. This week, we were honored to welcome the Governor of Styria at PJM. IT was a pleasure to report Christopher Drexler on our technologies and discuss developments in the railway industry.

Styria as an industrial centre is home to internationally renowned companies and world market leaders. The railway industry also creates products, technologies and services that are known far beyond the borders of this green province. A few figures at a glance:

R&D ratio: 5.17% of GDP
R&D expenditure: EUR 2.67 billion
Universities & Universities of applied sciences: 9
Students: 63,000
Number of companies: 100,000+ (including sole proprietorships)

General / Waggon Tracker - 06/07/2024

Expanding headquarters: New hall for instrumented wheelsets

The instrumented wheelset expertise is made up of several elements that PJM combines with each other. PJM perfectly matches measurement technology, experience as an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited test centre, engineering expertise and 10 years of experience in the development and production of measuring wheelsets.

PJM has now also raised its infrastructure and technical equipment to a new level. The new part of the building has been equipped with a comprehensive range of equipment to ensure the highest levels of precision, stability and standard in metrological terms. In addition, the expanded infrastructure will enable even faster throughput times and project processing in future. The equipment includes, among other things

Mobile test rig for measuring wheelsets for all track gauges and calibration during test runs on site
Premises for the parallel production of 12 instrumented wheel sets
Indoor crane and two electric forklifts
ESD-protected working environment
Air-conditioned room (for consistently ideal conditions, for example when attaching strain gauges)
Dynamic test rig for end-of-line testing of instrumented wheel sets
Fine balancing in accordance with ISO13260 limits

‘The dovetailing of theory with practical testing experience is a great added value for our customers,’ says Martin Joch. He continues: ‘The instrumented wheelset infrastructure guarantees the highest measurement quality for every phase and every requirement. In combination with our specialised knowledge in engineering and our many years of experience in dynamic testing, we offer vehicle manufacturers a considerable portfolio of knowledge and services.’

This makes PJM a strong partner in the field of measuring wheelsets:

All processes and project steps relating to measuring wheelsets are handled by PJM in-house and from a single source
This also results in short throughput times
Calculation, design, production, calibration and balancing
Powerful telemetry system: Thanks to the extensive equipment, 12 measuring wheelsets can be operated simultaneously
PJM offers solutions for every application and every wheel geometry (not just standard solutions)

https://pjm.co.at/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/PI-PJM-Messradsatzhalle-5-2024-EN-Web.pdf

General / Presseberichte - 05/22/2024

Testing the fatigue strength of a container freight wagon at MFL

The fatigue strength tests are used to check that the rail vehicle can withstand the operational loads. There are different test methods for determining the operational strength, such as static tests or impact tests. An important part of this is the pressure frame test, in which the vehicle frame is subjected to loads in an empty and loaded state. The mobile compression frame has proved particularly effective in this respect. With PJM's own development, it is possible to carry out the tests directly at the manufacturer's premises and to use the infrastructure on site or in the vicinity. This was recently the case at Maschinenfabrik Liezen, which offers a perfect infrastructure. For an Italian wagon manufacturer, fatigue tests according to EN 12663 were carried out with the mobile pressure frame.

Short video on the tests: https://youtu.be/qoLnUP4iJEk

General - 08/08/2023

Millimetre work: measuring application for a turbine impeller

Accuracy is a prerequisite of measurement technology. Precision work is required to obtain reliable and exact measurement results. Our laboratory team is highly experienced in millimetre work. This was also the case with a measurement application for a turbine impeller. Ten strain gauge measuring channels were applied to the special aluminium-bronze surface, and calibration was also carried out in-house. Another requirement of the customer, a global supplier of electromechanical systems and services for hydropower plants, was to make the entire measuring application waterproof.

PJM's measurement know-how is not only in demand in the railway industry. Time and again, PJM also carries out measurements of stresses and loads on special machines, such as for metal shredders from UNTHA.

General / News - 07/20/2023

Approval tests in Ireland for Geismar Italia S.p.A

Two types of track inspection vehicles will be in operation on the Irish rail network in the future. For the approval tests, the world-renowned manufacturer of track construction machines relied on PJM's expertise. The approval tests took place in Ireland - typical Irish weather included.

Get the full press release:

https://pjm.co.at/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/PI-PJM-Geismar-EN-07-2023.pdf

General / News - 07/06/2023

Autumn reading: The new PJMagazine

Reading material for the autumn is hot off the press with our new PJMagazine. Print fans can grab a copy at InnoTrans (City Cube / Hall A / 239). Or read the online version right here.

https://pjm.co.at/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/09-2022-PJM-Magazin-InnoTrans-Web-E.pdf

General / Waggon Tracker - 09/19/2022

PJM supported AVENIO's factory approval in Vienna for BSAG Bremen

Factory approvals for railway vehicles are crucial and necessary, yet they are an immense undertaking for manufacturers and customers. Technique, features and technical realisation of the vehicle’s components are checked very thoroughly. Ideally, possible amendments are performed by the manufacturer. The checks are known to be very time-consuming but in times of Corona the effort is even much higher. Among others, in times of permanently changing conditions and difficult circumstances a reliable completion is very important. Above all, the quality of the numerous tests and checks is top priority. PJM perfectly meets all these requirements. As accredited testing facility according to ISO/IEC 17025, PJM is highly specialised in the field of testing railway vehicles. Expertise and many years’ experience in project management gained from projects in over 30 countries complete each other.

For Bremer Straßenbahn AG, all of this was relevant for the factory approval of the new tram fleet AVENIO and sums up to two essential prerequisites: A reliable factory approval and a technical acceptance test on time. Thus, BSAG Bremen relied on PJM’s expertise as independent testing facility. PJM supported TÜV Nord in terms of approving 30 AVENIO vehicles which were produced in Vienna. In addition, PJM supported the production’s completion.

Credit: https://press.siemens.com/global/de/pressemitteilung/neue-strassenbahn-flotte-fuer-bremen-kommt-von-siemens

Siemens liefert zehn weitere Straßenbahnen für Bremen / Siemens delivers an additional ten trams for Bremen

General / News - 01/13/2022

Shift2Rail: Technologies for sustainable and attractive rail freight cargo in Europe

PJM is one of 14 Austrian enterprises and research institutions pushing technology and further development of a sustainable and attractive rail freight. In this big initiative, PJM‘s know-how is crucial:

The so-called core market wagon is a “high-tech-train” equipped with digital technologies. PJM’s sensor technology will be on board, too.
In autumn 2021, a train of the “Styrian Regional Train” will be equipped with comprehensive monitoring functionalities. The focus will be condition based maintenance. AC2T will be in charge of lubricants monitoring, PJM will be responsible for measurement technology, wagon integration and power supply.

Shift2Rail is a public-private-partnership of the European Union and the European railway sector. The aim of the research and innovation undertaking is to ensure and strengthen the competitiveness of the European railway industry and to support achieving the shift to rail road traffic which is defined in the white paper of transport and traffic. For this undertaking, 920 million Euros in a period or six months are at disposal, from which 450 million Euros coming from Horizon 2020 which is the EU-programme for research and innovation. Another 470 million Euros come from the founding members and associated members. Companies and research institution of Austria are represented by three associated members, among them the VVAC+ („Virtual Vehicle Austria Consortium+“) with 12 Austrian and one Slovak partner and the das EUROC („EUropean Rail Operating community Consortium“).

General / Waggon Tracker - 09/22/2021