FutureConvent: Measurement technology for young enthusiasts

What is the FutureConvent about? Companies show young people attending a technical college what sustainable topics they are working on. Higher technical colleges combine specialised technical training with a school-leaving certificate. The conference programme was rounded off with lectures and workshops. The young people were given an insight into the technologies of today and the future.

PJM was at the FutureConvent for the first time and presented smart rail monitoring using laser technology. The students were also able to flex their muscles: The force transducer was used to measure arm strength.

Photos: Christian Husar and PJM

Video: Dynamic tests of ČD's passenger coaches

PJM played an important metrological role in the new Viaggio Comfort passenger coaches, which will enrich the fleet of Czech Railways České dráhy and were developed and manufactured by Siemens Mobility.

PJM carried out test runs on the entire Austrian railway network, including high-speed trains on the Westbahn line, in the Alpine terrain in Tyrol and on the Semmering Railway (UNSECO World Heritage Site). The driving behaviour and brakes were tested at 230 km/h or in extremely wintry conditions in the snow.

PJM was also commissioned with the development and production of the measuring wheelsets.

Video

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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

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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.

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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

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New 80ft InnoWaggon Sggns: PJM carried out overall accreditation tests

When it comes to further development or new concepts, rail logistics specialist Innofreight is an important address. Recently, the wagon fleet was expanded by a one-piece 80ft InnoWaggon Sggn. Less wagon weight but more train load were the requirements to make rail transport even more economical and efficient for Innofreight customers. For the overall approval, the company relied on PJM expertise. The various tests were evaluated in several stages:

  • Fatigue strength: The strength tests were carried out by the PJM engineering experts according to EN 12663. Another task of the engineering team was to optimize the strength. The static tests were carried out by means of a mobile pressure frame at the site of MFL Liezen. The buffing impact tests took place mainly in St. Michael, not far from Innofreight's headquarters.
  • Brakes: The static and dynamic tests according to TSI WAG:2020 were also carried out in the St. Michael area. The uncoupling tests were carried out with various loading conditions.
  • Acoustics: The acoustic measurements according to TSI NOI 2014/1204/EU were used to determine pass-by noise, rail roughness and track decay rate.

This project included two novelties:

  • Uncoupling device: For the first time, a new device developed by PJM was used for the suspension tests. The new component has proven itself very well since it is lighter, smaller and easier to operate.
  • Solar energy: The measuring instruments were supplied with energy by means of a solar panel. The panel can be set up in just a few steps and provides sufficient power for the measurement tests in good weather.

Get the full medie release:

https://pjm.co.at/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/PI-Innofreight-PJM-03-2023-Web-EN.pdf

 

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Dynamic tests, instrumented wheel-sets and simulation for Rhaetian Rail

Projects always take our measurement technology team to particularly beautiful places. This was also the case recently in Switzerland. The Rhaetian Railway makes railway hearts beat faster. The track is one of the most beautiful in the world, and the Bernina and Albula lines are even UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In addition to the picturesque landscape, the technical requirements are fascinating. Typical for the metre gauge track are curves up to 45 m radius and gradients up to 70 ‰. The Allegra multiple-unit train made by Stadler AG, which is used on this line in various vehicle configurations, is perfectly tailored to these high line requirements. In order to test the running characteristics of different train compositions under special operating conditions, PJM was commissioned with running tests.

The project was carried out in several parts by the experienced system specialist from Austria:

  • In the preliminary stage, the wheel-rail forces as well as occurring buffer forces were determined by simulations. In this way, critical conditions or constellations could be resolved computationally. Another advantage is that this keeps the metrological effort to a minimum.
  • Instrumented wheel sets, accelerators, transducers as well as measuring buffers were prepared in the usual way at the company's location in Graz and then installed on the test vehicle at the RhB main workshop in Landquart.
  • The measurement campaign was carried out on the track between Poschiavo and Alp Grüm. In real operation, the running behaviour was tested under increased operating forces. The test runs took place in November 2022. The data analysis and report were recently completed.

Further information in the media release: https://pjm.co.at/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/PI-PJM-Rhaetian-Rail-Web-02-2023-EN.pdf

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Technical article ETR: Smart rail maintenance in the Barelona metro

The ideal summer reading: The technical article published by the renowned railway magazine ETR and produced by experts on the subject of milling technology from voestalpine Track Solutions Germany GmbH and from our measurement technology team. The new and unique concept involves network-wide recording of the rail condition with the aid of state-of-the-art sensor technology. Subsequently, targeted rail milling work is carried out on tracks and switches. The project was awarded the Austrian State Prize for Engineering Consulting in the spring.

Get the full article (in German language): https://pjm.co.at/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/ETR_Schieneninstandhaltung_Barcelona_voestalpine_PJM0322Web.pdf

Summer retreat at PJM: 9x internship

Every year: This year, too, we cordially welcome 9 interns who will strengthen our team during the summer weeks. They come from a wide variety of educational backgrounds. Our interns are studying different subjects at technical high schools, high shools and studies. We find that holiday jobs are doubly enriching: We are happy about fresh ideas and young people get a first insight into company structures, teamwork and our technologies.

The first three interns started in July, and in August we will be actively supported by six more. Welcome to PJM! 

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Static strength measurements in the factory enabled by a mobile pressure frame

The key data of Plasser & Theurer's 09-3X track tamping machine are impressive: 80 tonnes net weight, 35 m length, 8 axles, and 3-sleeper tamping units ensure powerful and efficient working. To determine the stresses and deformations of the vehicle frame, PJM carried out pressure frame tests according to EN 12663-1. The strength tests were performed at the Linz factory of the technology leader and manufacturer of track maintenance machines. This has clear advantages for the machine manufacturer: the entire on-site infrastructure is used and any adaptations to the object can be coordinated with the design engineers and immediately implemented. Using PJM’s mobile pressure frame allows the tests to be carried out directly in the factory.

Thanks to its modular design, the pressure frame is suitable for every type of vehicle. It has proven its effectiveness in static tests in numerous projects.

"Testing with the mobile pressure frame at the customer's site provides full transparency for the calculation engineers with regard to test procedure. It also greatly facilitates validating the calculation models. This approach ensures the least possible amount of time is spent in projects," explains Martin Joch, CEO of PJM. "PJM handled the measurements very efficiently and professionally. We greatly benefitted from the fact that they were carried out on our premises in Linz," confirms Andreas Pumberger, Head of Railway Testing Lab, Plasser & Theurer.

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