Laser-Based
Cross Sections Meter
Measuring and Automatization Systems
Programming of Applications
Contour
Contour is a laser device for the measurement of cross sections of frogs, including their grooves and a groove of guard rails, the
cross sections of flange and tramway rails. Contour operates on the principle of sampling an entire laser mark on the surface of the
measured rail. A cross section created by laser mark is sampled at one moment. To generate the laser mark, a red laser is used.
To sample a laser mark image on the rail surface, an area image sensor with an integrated control computer is used.
Contour operates with a touch screen operator panel and measuring software. It is possible to see the measured cross sections
directly in the track. The measured data is stored in standard format to allow easy data import to a firm’s database.
The applied principle of flat sampling, shows the following
advantages:
• High speed of measurement, approx. 100 cross sections per
second.
• Easy measurement on track under operation, nothing has to
be fixed on the rail which may quickly be escaped from at
any time.
• As the measurement of the entire cross section is
performed during a few miliseconds, the possibility of
the measurement quality being affected by operating
personnel error is reduced.
Contour allows to measure for example:
• flange rail switch frog section
• flange rail switch tongue section
• flange rail head section
• guard rail shape and groove width
• tramway rail section and groove parameters
• tramway rail frog section and crossing section
Contour is a manually operated battery-powered apparatus.
It consists of a measuring laser head with measuring
electronics and an internal computer and a trolley for
continuous measurement on a track. The laser head contains
all electronics required to sample an image and transfer it
to the internal computer producing realtime visualisation
during measurement. The laser head together with a set of
distance legs may be applied as a stand-alone apparatus for
the measurement of individual cross sections. The laser head
in conjunction with the trolley allows to conduct continuous
measurement of frog sections directly on the railway track and
simultaneously conduct continuous measurement of the entire
switch section (tongue and frog area).
Laser-Based
Cross Sections Meter
Measuring and Automatization Systems
Programming of Applications
Contour
Contour is collapsible; it can be put in an aluminium hard
transport suitcase which is certified for air transport. The
suitcase carries all parts of the device and all accessories.
Continuous measurement of cross sections
on the track at regular intervals
A laser head, single-rail trolley complemented by a supporting
arm and control computer are required to conduct the
measurement of cross sections on a railway track. The trolley is
assembled and put on the track, with a laser head fixed onto
the trolley. The trolley travels to the e.g. switch beginning and
the operator starts the measurement. The trolley measures its
position, transmits it to control computer and the operating
personnel (according to the trolley’s position) measures the
blocks of the cross sections. The measurement on the track can
be divided into several separate blocks. It is therefore possible
to separately save blocks of switch tongue cross sections, blocks
of frog cross sections, etc.
Measurement of individual cross sections
on a railway track
To measure the individual cross sections on a flange rail, the
operator uses Contour in the same way as with continuous
measurement. Displaying the measured cross sections directly
on the screen of Contour allows one to place the trolley at the
exact position of the requested cross section. Then it is possible
to measure individual cross sections without relation to regular
intervals or other restrictions.
Measurement of individual cross sections
on a tramway track
To measure the individual sections of a tramway rail, a laser
head with a set of exchangeable legs and control computer can
be used. By simply putting the cross section meter´s supporting
legs on a rail, one cross section, without the necessity of
additional adjustment, is measured. For the measurement
of tramway rails, one cross section for the entire rail shape is
sufficient.
Software for profile analysis and automatic
evaluation
For evaluation, it is also possible to supply user software for
PC which allows rotation, shifting, comparison and reading
of values for selected points in cross sections. The software
compares the measured cross sections with the reference
shapes of cross sections. In defined points, the software reads
and computes the differences between the measured and
comparative cross sections.
One of the main and most frequently used functions of the
evaluating software is an automatic evaluation of a user
defined set of cross sections. This option provides, for example,
a quick solution for a periodic measurement of frogs and the
monitoring of their status in terms of wear, damage, etc.
The final version of user software is always adapted to the
client’s requirements. Therefore, software supply always
includes the design of a user interface and particular software
functions to match the final user’s needs including the program
porting into an arbitrary national environment.
Technical parameters:
laser head weight
laser head with trolley weight
transport weight
transport size
mounting to rail
measuring range
cross section resolution
measurement accuracy
laser
power
13 kg
23 kg
29 kg
800x600x400mm
none
200x100 mm
0.05 mm
+/- 0.2 mm
class IIIB
internal battery or power adapter
MEAS Prog. s.r.o.
K Žižkovu 9, Praha 9, 190 00, Czech Republic
tel.: +420 234 377 481, +420 776 793 463
www.measprog.com, e-mail: measprog@gmail.com