Laser-guided track to safety
The increased loading of the rail network, along with the greater speeds of modern trains, has led to higher stressing of the rails. The track itself is therefore the most important safety aspect and so needs to be inspected regularly to prevent accidents. To that end, several leading rail inspection companies around the world are now using the latest non-contact, laser-based profile measurement sensors from Micro-Epsilon. Infotrans, for example, a leading supplier of inspection systems and services to Russia's sole railway network company Russichen Eisen Bahn (REB), is using Micro-Epsilon sensors on a newly developed wagon inspection system to measure and monitor for wear on the track. This ensures improved safety and reliability, but is also helping the customer to reduce maintenance and downtime costs. Nine Micro-Epsilon ScanCONTROL LLT 2800-100 (205) sensors are being used in the application.
Meeting energy-efficiency expectations
Using a digital twin can help manage energy efficiency across sectors, as Mark Venables reveals.
Looking for trouble
Diagnosing problems in rotating machinery well before anything has a chance to break makes a whole lot of sense. Dr Tom Shelley reports on the range of technological making a difference
Fire Safety - That looks like smoke...
By observing the behaviour of smoke as it rises, a vision system can give early warning of a fire developing, long before it becomes serious. It is especially useful in large areas, such as big factories and aircraft hangars, and where there is a layer of hot air, ordinarily just underneath the roof, blanketing sensors.