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Cost-effective access systems
A new source for the supply of access and maintenance platforms taking part in Railtex was Sapa Profiles UK Ltd. Having established a favourable reputation in the aircraft maintenance industry, the company is now targeting the rail market with its structures created using extruded aluminium profiles. Sapa argues that the use of its tailor-made systems can reduce costs, increase safety and, thanks to its ‘buy-back’ facility, offers a sustainable, environmentally sound solution. A Midlands-based Application Centre houses the design and engineering capability to help customers optimise system configuration to match specific needs. Maintenance access systems were also featured by Semmco, with a demonstration of its latest front access platform as part of the On-Track Display. The unique design of the platform allows it to match the profile of the train and to move further over its front-end to provide full access to a sloping windscreen. Also on show was a modular side access demonstration unit highlighting its lightweight and height-adjustable features and its manoeuvrability. Recent Semmco contracts include the design and supply of staging and stillages for East Midlands Trains’ Class 222 Meridian Refreshment Project and equipping ScotRail’s Shields depot in Glasgow with pit access platforms for maintenance of Class 380 Desiro EMUs.
Upgraded rail welder launched
Welding Alloys Group announced a new variant of its GCR (Gauge Corner Restoration) automated rail welding machine. Employing new D3 Touch Control Technology as standard, the D3 Touch supersedes the previous D2 machines. It can be easily set up and has a smoother transition for operation of different rail sizes, for example for rail or tram lines. In addition, the D3 Touch has been designed with the operator in mind, with its Touch Control Technology screen offering precision repeatability to give accurate welding and outstanding levels of reliability.
The company says the benefits of the D3 Touch include a reduction in operator time, full quality control and better process control, lessening operator errors. There are also time savings in programming for repeated welding tasks and the control system can be connected to the network for data and programme storage.
Welding Alloys Group’s new D3 Touch GCR rail welder
New products from Unipart
There were plenty of innovations on view on the Unipart Rail/Dorman stand. Among them were the Schedule Advisory System, developed to assist economical train driving and potentially deliver a reduction of up to 20 per cent in energy consumption, and new-generation train-borne AWS/TPWS equipment incorporating ‘voice’ messages for the driver. Also shown was CabCool, an alternative to air- conditioning that uses electrical cooling rather than liquid coolants for controlling the temperature in cabs and
30 RAILTEX 2011 SHOW REVIEW
around sensitive electronic equipment. Among new signalling products were a Proceed on Sight Authority (PoSA) signal developed in close conjunction with Network Rail and further Dorman LED applications in level crossing safety – plus an Overheight Vehicle Detector and LED sign to help prevent bridge strikes.
Unipart Rail also used this cab-front mock-up to promote its new C-Clear liquid screen wash
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