PRODUCTS SPRINGS & SHOCK ABSORBERS ENSURING DAMPERS MEET RAIL INDUSTRY DEMANDS


Based in Doncaster, Wabtec Rail refurbishes the dampers used on the front and rear of railway engines and rolling stock to reduce the shock loads when vehicles come together. At its damper testing facility – which tests around 560 dampers per week, ranging in size from 30 to 120cm in length – each product is subjected to compression testing at set frequencies to ensure it can be fitted to a carriage or engine. The facility consists of a motor connected through a


gearbox to a cam, which provides the lateral movement to compress the damper at the selected speed. A potentiometer allows the operator to vary any of the set speeds for special applications. The test results are then recorded on a chart recorder and data logger. The original set-up featured a 15kW DC motor


controlled by a frequency converter, with closed loop speed control through a mechanical belt and drive system. The drive and motor were around 35 years old, however, so when the DC motor failed the company turned to ABB Drives Alliance member Inverter Drive Systems (IDS). IDS recommended replacing the motor and drive with an 18.5kW AC motor and an ABB ACS800


variable-speed drive. The motor was a standard AC squirrel-cage motor fitted with an incremental encoder to provide speed feedback and force-vented to ensure the motor is cooled at lower operating frequencies. Although the majority of tests require no more than 9kW, the higher 18.5kW rating ensures it can be used to test the most demanding dampers. The drive was programmed and installed so that the existing controls were integrated with the variable


speed drive, with the speed setting of the motor selected via an input to the drive. As a result, operators familiar with the test equipment were able to continue with approved test standards. It was decided to retain all of the existing mechanical drive train, operator controls and logging equipment. As a result of the new solution, the facility is benefiting from more accurate speed control, the ability to


reach the set point speed instantaneously, higher reliability and little maintenance. Furthermore, the system can also be upgraded to allow networking or the addition of an electronic data logger.


ABB T: 01925 741111 www.abb.co.uk/energy Enter 220


INDUSTRIAL GAS SPRINGS


New from ACE Controls International is the replACE range of gas spring equivalents. Developed primarily to match the stroke, end fittings and installation length of the most widely used Stabilus gas springs, the three RGS models in the replACE range can provide equivalents for around 1000 standard Lift-O-Mat 6-15, 8-19, 10-22 and 14-28 products, the company states. The company has also developed


a free app – VibroChecker – that measures vibration and then offers a reliable selection of vibration isolation products. The app performs ideal measurements when the iPhone is fully placed on the surface to be measured.


Ace Controls International www.ace-controls.co.uk


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Looking for a gas spring replacement... Let replACE do it from stock


Need a gas spring replacement quickly or looking for a high performance, cost effective OEM gas spring equivalent... Let replACE provide the solution from stock.


For over 40 years ACE has been manufacturing a wide range of motion control products and industrial gas springs have always been a key part of the ACE range. However, despite this, ACE is always being asked for urgent replacement gas springs to match other widely used competitor products.


So, to meet this growing and ongoing demand for gas spring equivalents from stock, ACE has introduced their new replACE range of force adustable gas springs.


Product data sheets and a replACE cross reference guide can be found at www.replacegassprings.co.uk


If you need a gas spring replacement now, call01942 727440 or send your enquiry to replace@ace-controls.co.uk


Tel: 0208 339 7370 Fax: 0208 339 7371


Ace Controls International Unit 404, Easter Park Haydock Lane, Haydock WA11 9TH


Enter 19 26 APRIL 2014 | DESIGN SOLUTIONS


462 Ewell Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 7EL, England


Enter 20 / DESIGNSOLUTIONS


Email: sales@blackfast.com Web: www.blackfast.com


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