SWITZERLAND: Measurement device specialist Kistler has developed a highly portable device for measuring brake force on trains.
Kistler developed the BFMS for staff at SBB’s maintenance depots in Oberwinterthur where the operator was keen to optimise the brake force measurement process.
The device comprises four 9303A1B brake force sensors, a compact version of the KiDAQ data acquisition system, and a notebook computer with the application software. All these components are contained in a rugged hardshell case that is easy to carry between vehicles. The break force measurement software can be accessed wirelessly via tablet computers issued to depot employees.
The four sensors can measure a bogie’s key brake performance parameters, and display at-a-glance results including brake force per wheel and bogie, and action of force over time. At least three measurements are taken for each bogie, and their average value must be within a specified range.
All measurements are stored locally and in the cloud, to ensure data resilience. Previous measurements taken on the same train can be called up at any time for comparison, and this data can be included in the automatic reporting.