SKF launches efficient wireless railway bogie condition monitoring

The new SKF Multilog On-line System IMx-B, the first wireless full bogie monitoring system for all types of locomotives and passenger railway vehicles, enhances service, reliable operation and train maintenance efficiency. The system offers added value by bringing a bogie wireless condition monitoring solution for easier installation to both large and small train operators who are seeking to improve service performance, train maintenance and availability and making the transition from time-based maintenance to condition-based maintenance for their fleets. 

Vibration, temperatures and speed data are collected and processed by the SKF Multilog On-line System IMx-B Wireless from railway specific sensors on the bogie.  Intelligent capabilities built into the system recognise stable running conditions as the time to collect data and calculated values can be processed locally on the train for immediate feedback or sent wirelessly to the cloud for further remote analysis in SKF @ptitude Observer software.  This enables the maintenance department to swiftly evaluate all bogie rotative component conditions of motors, gearboxes, axleboxes and wheels.  SKF software access is flexible and can be purchased outright by the customer or utilised on a subscription basis.  Data is sent wirelessly and analysis can be made by the customer’s staff or as an outsourced service by SKF remote diagnostics center for expert analysis and reporting.

“The goal of the SKF Multilog IMx-B development was to create a bogie monitoring system that can be easily and cost effectively installed in new trains or retrofitted to existing fleets and conveniently connected to remote monitoring centres for expert analysis and maintenance purposes,” says Victor Martinez, Business Development Manager Railway Mechatronics and Condition Monitoring, SKF.

The SKF Bogie Monitoring System offers wide area network wireless/3G compatibility, and fulfils railway standards for bogie mounted electronic systems. The full Condition Monitoring capability includes SKF Acceleration Enveloping for early bearing fault detection, 16 analogue channels and compatibility with many different sensor types.  It can be retrofitted to existing trains without costly wiring overheads due to its wireless capabilities and is suitable for both high and low speed mainline trains, and metro vehicles.

The SKF Multilog On-line System IMx-B Wireless is one of a series of solutions that enhance efficiency and performance in rail applications that will be demonstrated at the InnoTrans fair in Berlin from 23th-26th September.

Also displayed will be a new generation of tapered roller bearing units for passenger trains and compact tapered roller bearing units for heavy haul freight and the SKF Microlog Analyzer kit for Railway.

Visitors will find SKF in Hall 22a, booth 606.