testing facility

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

1 year in 1 minute: The PJM review 2023

Our teams worked on 90 projects, we grew and fully automated a process for the first time in the history of rail transport. A short video portrait of our numerous activities this year.

General / Waggon Tracker - 12/20/2023

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

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

News - 03/16/2023

Solar-energy for our measurement devices

Which solutions are the best? If they are environmentally friendly, easy to handle and reliable. For several months now, a solar panel has been part of our testing facility team's equipment and supplies our measuring devices with solar energy. The panel can be set up in just a few steps, and a rechargeable battery guarantees a continuous supply even during tests and measurements lasting several hours.

Achieving climate neutrality depends on both large-scale measures and small steps. In the expansion of environmentally friendly rail transport, our digital overall system WaggonTracker is an essential contribution to modernising and making rail freight transport more attractive. In everyday life, we try to make our world a little more environmentally friendly with small contributions.

News / Waggon Tracker - 01/23/2023

Mobile calibration test rig for instrumented wheelsets

Precision is the top priority in metrology, and calibration is a crucial factor. To ensure measurement reliability even for projects on site, PJM has developed a mobile calibration test stand. The advantages:

After reprofiling the measuring wheel sets, recalibration can be performed on site.
The new type of test stand enables unprecedented performance.
The test stand is easy to transport and is therefore ideally suited for worldwide use.

The mobile calibration test stand has already proven its worth during the first "field test" and was used in a project for the Rhaetian Railway. Thus we can react quickly and flexibly to customer requirements even under challenging conditions.

General / News - 11/10/2022

Nightjets of ÖBB: Measuring wheel sets and approval tests

In future, a total of 33 Nightjets of the new Viaggio Next Level generation from Siemens Mobility will ensure comfortable and at the same time climate-friendly travel in Central Europe. For the approval of the newly developed passenger coaches, PJM is on board as an accredited test center according to ISO/IEC 17025. The Austrian system specialist was commissioned for the overall approval in cooperation with ÖBB. The contract specifically includes the instrumented wheel sets as well as the approval tests in the areas of running behavior, fatigue strength, acoustics and aerodynamics.

6 instrumented wheel sets were developed and manufactured in Graz and then installed in the test vehicle at the ÖBB plant in Vienna. The test runs started in autumn 2021. The test train is in use throughout the entire Austrian rail network. To evaluate derailment safety, the first approval tests started in the field of running behavior, after which the bogies were upgraded for the test runs in the area fatigue strength. Finally, high-speed measurements follow for the aerodynamics area. The acoustic tests will complete the approval tests. "For an extensive project like this, it is above all our metrology expertise and experience in bringing together all specialist areas that prove their worth. Our flexibility and routine, which we have gained from our numerous international projects, are also essential. Due to the weather, there are always changes in procedures, for example during test runs in winter on the Arlberg at 1,000 m above sea level," explains Martin Joch, CEO of PJM. "A good collaboration with the project partners is also immensely important in large-scale projects. The cooperation with ÖBB's measurement group is excellent."

Get more in the media release:

https://pjm.co.at/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/10-2022-Presse-Info-Nightjets-PJM-Web2-EN.pdf

News / Presseberichte - 10/06/2022

New loading scheme: 25 % more transportation capacity

As an overall logistics provider, Innofreight develops innovative solutions and thus optimises rail freight transport. One of the latest innovations is the further development of the double wagon IW 90 ft Gigawood to transport log wood and timber. In order to realise new rail freight concepts, Innofreight counts on the engineering and testing expertise of PJM.

Due to the adapted loading scheme of the vehicle, the carrying capacity was increased by 25 %. Thus, more capacity also results in more competitiveness to shift goods traffic from road to rail.

General - 08/26/2021

Creating & shaping future: A video Portrait of PJM

Why is measurement technology fascinating? What sort of tests are performed for vehicles approvals? Digital rail freight - what's the meaning of the term? What's the connex of measurement technology and safety? Which exciting job profiles does measurement technology include? Get all answers on these and many more in our company's video portrait which recently was broadcasted in the Styrian news magazine by ORF. The video is part of the serial "Zukunftsmacher" (future creators). Watch it out!

Credit: With courtesy of Die Industrie / IV Steiermark / ORF Steiermark

Presseberichte / Waggon Tracker - 06/16/2021