WHEELPRO IS MADE TO MEASURE FOR MECHAN
Sheffield-based rail depot equipment specialist, Mechan, is introducing the latest automatic
wheel measurement technology to the UK and Irish markets.
The firm is adding the WheelPro from Spanish manufacturers, Visiona, to the range of
products its supplies to complement its own lifting and handling equipment.
Compatible with any type of tracks, WheelPro can be installed inside or outside a depot,
enabling a wheel profile to be determined within +0.05mm. It is available in three standard
configurations to suit metro, regional or high speed trains and can be adapted to measure
the parameters of vehicles travelling at speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour.
The measuring device comprises a series of modules that sit around the track, containing
vision cameras and corresponding lasers. They can be adjusted in height and are robust
enough to withstand the presence of sanders, electromagnetic brakes and variables in wheel
position. WheelPro can also calculate the speed of a train within 5% accuracy and gauge the
temperature and humidity inside every unit.
Richard Carr, Mechan’s managing director, said: “We are pleased to be signing a four year
exclusive deal with Visiona and look forward to enjoying an excellent working relationship.
The WheelPro is without doubt one of the best fixed location measuring tools available to rail
operators and we are impressed by its accuracy, versatility and durability. It is a welcome
addition to our existing range of depot maintenance products.”
Once measurements have been taken by the WheelPro, they are uploaded to a server, from
where the results are available immediately. The system is supplied with software tools for
data management and wheel wear analysis and should a failure occur, email or SMS alerts
are triggered.
Director of Visiona Control Industrial, Jeser Zalba Olcoz, added: “This is a great opportunity
for both companies. Mechan’s equipment is found in some of the most prestigious depots in
the world and the firm’s extensive knowledge of the UK and Irish rail industry makes it the
ideal partner for our market leading wheel measurement system.”