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Keeping alert with Findlay Irvine
Findlay Irvine’s association with the rail industry began in the mid 1960’s, when a coach heating controller was developed on behalf of the Southern Region
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he company has since become involved in many other projects and products, specifically the Icelert
407M system for controlling points heating throughout the UK rail network, and the manufacture of a range of data loggers specifically designed for remote condition monitoring of railway assets. The data loggers have full (PADS)
product acceptance and full compatibility with Network Rail’s Intelligent Infrastructure (NRII). Findlay Irvine has delivered over 5000 data loggers to the NRII project so far. Intelligent Infrastructure is one of Network Rail’s key programs, advising on understanding asset performance, improving operational reliability and reducing maintenance costs. Currently Network Rail is working through its asset register, fitting out those assets which are of a critical nature due either to the number of delay minutes associated with the asset type, or to the potential for significant delay due to failure of assets in particular locations. Point machines and track circuits were the first asset types to be fitted, but there are many other assets also being deployed, such as cable insulation and points heating. ‘Findlay Irvine is long established in the field of condition monitoring, having developed standby generator, points heating and clamp lock monitoring systems during the past 10-15 years,’ says Mike Mustard, business development manager. ‘Through these and other proprietary
systems,’ he continues, ‘Network Rail recognised that condition monitoring offered significant potential to help improve reliability through advance notice of developing failures. However, a national rollout would require a bespoke management system. To ensure competition and ensure supply security for trackside hardware, a tender was let for the data logger element. ‘Findlay Irvine was chosen as one of the logger suppliers, and was able to demonstrate its other capabilities such as sensor development to Network Rail,’ says Mustard. Findlay Irvine is primarily a
manufacturer, but also has a strong multidisciplinary engineering team. The company has developed as electronics developed, but has also utilised mechanical engineering skills and worked in electro
Page 56 April 2013
mechanical fields. Over time, software has become a more critical element and now dominates most of the equipment developed by the company.
In the last 53 years, over 300 products
have been developed, many in the area of cost effective problem solving. The range of products covered is eclectic, from greenhouse heaters to a ‘stammer jammer’ (an aid for stammer sufferers), to control systems for ship stabilisers. Its main areas of expertise now focus on the highways, airports and rail sectors.
Icelert range For the rail market, the primary product has been the Icelert range of points heating controllers, which ensure that points heating is energised efficiently and effectively. ‘The company felt that there were other opportunities in the rail market to capitalise on,’ says Mustard. ‘Over the years, Findlay Irvine has gained an enviable reputation for developing realistic, reliable, cost effective solutions backed by excellent long term support. Some of the products have been in service for over 20 years and are still going strong.
‘The company believes these were strong reasons for its selection as a logger
‘In the UK, it has demonstrated its
technical capability and ability to deliver products on time, and at the required price point,’ says Mustard.
‘This reputation is opening ever
increasing doors of opportunity to extend the product range. An example of this is the wireless rail temperature sensor which was initially developed for points heating applications and is now being adopted for hot rail monitoring applications.’ Before any project is started, a
significant amount of time is spent in discussion with the client in order to understand not only the technical requirements, but also the more subjective needs. A number of suppliers may offer solutions based on existing products. As Findlay Irvine’s design and manufacturing capabilities are extensive, bespoke items can be produced. Where possible, the company involves a range of users ranging from the engineer in the field to strategic
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supplier for Network Rail’s Intelligent Infrastructure framework contract,’ says Mustard. Findlay Irvine has invested significantly in the intelligent infrastructure area where there would be further opportunities in the UK and also, in the longer term, overseas.
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