Wheel Condition Monitor (WCM)
IN-MOTION WEIGHING
The Teknis system performs in-motion weighing with better than 2% accuracy on
undamaged wheels. Wheels having condemnable defects the system will measure
load to within 5%.
The system also provides analysis of load balance in wagons and load
distribution over an entire train. This can be further refined to include
overload limits based on wagon type or even individual wagons within the fleet
that require special attention. Speed can also be factored in. For example, the
system can be configured to automatically generate an alarm and print a report
when a particular type of wagon with a certain type of bearing is detected with
a combination of load and speed above certain limits.
The accurate determination of static axle load in rolling stock is a vital tool
for freight and mineral transport operators. This is especially true when
another party owns rolling stock using the lines. Apart from the accurate
billing of such an arrangement the owner of the structure must be able to
detect overloaded or out-of-balance wagons which increase the likelihood of
serious damage to rail and track structure. The obvious costs involved in low
speed certified weighing make such screening uneconomic. The most efficient
solution is accurate in-motion weighing at line speed to identify vehicles that
should be checked on a weighbridge for billing purposes, or to identify
vehicles that are above their specific axle load and speed limit.
The Teknis system uses a unique method of load cell attachment that provides
accurate determination of static loads without the necessity of drilling,
welding or (in the extreme cases) replacement of entire sections of track. The
entire array can be installed on (or removed from) the track by two people in
under one day without halting normal rail traffic. This provides real
life-cycle cost savings.
The track structure though the array can be maintained with most standard
main-line tampers and stabilisers and light preventive grinding.
