Rangecam Field System
Download PDF

What it is...

The Rangecam Field System is software that provides control, reporting, and data storage for mobile track testing. It is suitable for hi-rail or geometry car based testing. With the Grind Analyst, the Field System can be used to plan rail grinding, and, following the grinder, to perform grinding quality assurance.

Who uses it...

Field track testing personnel. Rail grinding supervisors.

Supported Hardware...

The Field System works with the ORIANrail measurement system from KLD Labs and the SolidTrack geometry system from Andian Technologies.

Benefits...

• integrated rail profile and geometry data collection
• data saved to database in real time. 
• full Rangecam reporting available from the vehicle as soon as the run is over
• accurate milepost recording
• visual feedback for real-time monitoring
• automatic rail weight recognition
• concurrent operations for efficient use of field personnel and equipment

RPR Field System Features...

MAIN SCREEN

The main screen of the Rangecam Field System has several windows to control and monitor components of the optical measurement hardware.

Rangecam Field System main screen

USER-FRIENDLY TRACK TESTING

The Field System was designed to minimize operator errors. A verification function prevents most mistakes in milepost recording. Switches, road crossings, and other assets and obstacles are recorded by clicking on an icon. Run start and end times, pause times, and operator notes are written to an electronic run log. Optical rail measurement errors are immediately seen and reported. The System Status window clearly shows whether measurement systems and communication links are functioning correctly. Geometry exceptions are displayed in a scrolling panel.

Electronic Run Log

AUTOMATIC RAIL RECOGNITION

The Field System recognize rail weights and calculates rail wear on the fly. The weight and type of each rail profile is automatically identified from the list of rail sections in the territory. Measurements include track gauge and net gauge, vertical and lateral wear, head area loss, lip, gauge face angle, rail cant, and wear classification according to railroad criteria.

RAIL GRINDING OPTION

IMI’s Grind Analyst module can optionally be used with the Field System, providing the ability to develop a rail grinding plan or to monitor grind quality while following the grinder, both using ‘live’ profiles.

DATABASE STORAGE

Geometry and rail profile data can be stored directly to the on-board MS Access database in real time. Used with the Rangecam Office System or Track Analyst, this provides full Rangecam reporting from the vehicle as soon as the run is over. Alternatively, data can be stored to run files for later processing by the Office System.

Rail profile data is acquired at the same frequency as geometry measurements, at speeds up to 72 Hz (equivalent to 1-foot spacing at 49 mph). However, rail profiles may be processed and stored at longer intervals (eg 2, 5, or 10 feet) to reduce data volumes and improve system performance when saving data directly to the database.

PERFORMANCE

• 1-foot geometry and rail profile spacing at 49 mph (72 Hz), saved to run files. 
• 1-foot geometry spacing and 2 foot rail profile spacing at 45 mph, saved to database.
  
  
  

|| Products || Customers || Partners & Allies || History || News || Contact Us || Home ||