Automatic ultrasonic inspection solutions for railway wheels

While it is true that rail transportation has faced many competitors through past decades, it went through and became today a major way of use from passengers and goods. It has survived when the use of automotive increased, and more recently is competing with airplanes. Where trains bring many advantages to use, taking into consideration its green impact compare to other means of transportation, the number of vehicles in circulation skyrocketed over the past years and decades. Coming to an intensive use, safety needed to follow its trend as well as prevent any hazards that could happen operating within the railway industry. This article will focus on the only part that connect the train to the road, called rail and which can be a critical part for safety of passengers, goods, assets. The train wheels. As Railway have quite a wide environment of NDT methods to prevent hazards and controls, the focus will be in regards to the use of Ultrasonic testing for an accurate Ultrasonic inspection of wheels, to protect consumers from failure.

33174214_04-08-2016_0911am_620643657905e_620a2780e40d0.jpg

The Ultrasonic crack detection of train wheels are performed at 2 steps of their life. One is after their production and mounted to the bogie, before being installed on the train or during a maintenance process. At this stage, it is important to verify that an accurate Ultrasonic inspection of wheels has been done. Once it past the quality control of checking, it can be mounted on the train. For this application, Socomate’s partner, DTEC GmbH based in Germany has developed a UT system for dismounted wheelset which can achieve a top-quality Ultrasonic inspection combined with OEM electronics from Socomate. Such UT systems are installed in heavy maintenance depot or workshop for safety control of wheels and axles. These systems are widely accepted in the field since it has been developed by a team of experts, supplying a complete range of Ultrasonic testing solutions within the Railway industry, including hollow axles, solid axles. 

By pursuing its R&D, DTEC GmbH is also able to deliver an Ultrasonic inspection of wheelsets without dismounting it from the train. All of these UT systems are used on high-speed train, rolling stock, locomotive and metro. Due to a precise design of automation, the results are more reliable than manual processes, much faster and with a very good repeatability.

1. Automated Ultrasonic wheelset inspection system

Dismounted Wheelset Ultrasonic Testi_61af5d00bb0e6.png

Dismounted Wheelset Ultrasonic Testing (DW-UT)

DW-UT-02_61af5d364b9ab.png


DTEC GmbH has developed a customized software with an advanced UI to display it on screen. It embeds advanced AI to collect data and storage, while supplying a pdf format of the Ultrasonic test report. The software provides an A-scan, B-scan, a Bar-chart as well as a wheel side view.

Both mechanics & software provides a reliable solutions when speaking about ultrasonic wheelset inspection.

NDT Software - Ultrasonic inspection of railway wheels with side view A scan B scan C scan
DTEC - Ultrasonic inspection of wheels in Railway

While it is good being able to perform an accurate Ultrasonic inspection of dismounted wheelsets, DTEC GmbH count within its portfolio a UT system providing a trackside Ultrasonic inspection of wheels. What does it mean? It is an Ultrasonic inspection solution that inspect wheels dynamically, without having to dismount the wheelset.

Trackside and dynamic railway wheels ultrasonic inspection

Trackside Wheel Crack Ultrasonic Inspection (TWC-UT)

Along the track, the Ultrasonic crack detection is performed when the train is passing through this track, without stopping. The ultrasonic probes are arrayed along special designed tracks and in order to perform the Ultrasonic inspection by coupling through wheel tread with water-jet.
This Trackside Wheel Crack Ultrasonic Inspection Solution (TWC-UT) provides a huge gain of time, since it does not require to dismount the wheels for maintenance. 

Trackside and dynamic railway wheels ultrasonic inspection
TWC-UT-3_61af5d95a52eb.png

Trackside Wheel Crack Detection, A-Scan, B-Scan, Probes Condition Monitoring

Both systems embed OEM UT instruments from Socomate International and such cooperation led to a top-quality ultrasonic inspection system for Wheels and Axles within Railway industry. 

Related Product

One project, one solution !

Socomate International is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. The above information will only serve to start a communication on the topic you’ll like to exchange. To keep in touch with us, feel free to subscribe to receive in your mailbox a notification when new article is available. Click here.

Each project is unique, we'll be pleased to be part of it!

Related Article

We thought these articles could be interesting for you

Ultrasonic Rail flaw detection: Is Phased Array possible?

The transportation industry grew tremendously over the last decade because people have been traveling a lot more. Trains are becoming an attractive way of traveling because they are matching perfectly ...

Have any project question ?

Share your project with us, we're here to help !