ProPhotonix develops rail wheel wear monitoring lasers
ProPhotonix (DI)
8.75p
16:55 16/12/21
High-technology designer and manufacturer of LED and laser systems, ProPhotonix, announced a new application of its digital lasers on Tuesday, having delivered an initial set of eight prototype laser modules for use in a new wheel wear monitoring and control system.
Electronic & Electrical Equipment
9,581.00
17:14 18/04/24
The AIM-traded company said the system, dubbed ‘Wheelwatcher’, would provide rail transport operators with accurate and real-time information to improve preventive maintenance of rail systems, which could also enhance rail safety.
It said the Wheelwatcher system was being developed by a consortium of European partner companies, and was partially funded by the EU Horizon 2020 programme.
ProPhotonix said it provided its expertise in laser module design and manufacturing, while other consortium partners included a high-precision mechatronic system builder, Danobat Group; a thermoelectric cell manufacturer, Dr Neumann Peltier-Technik; a research centre specialising in machine vision systems, IK4-Ideko; and an end user, Euskotren - a train operating company in the Basque Country of Northern Spain.
The new wheel wear monitoring and control system was designed to operate in “extreme climatic conditions” within a temperature-regulated enclosure, the ProPhotonix board said.
It said the laser module featured thermo-electric control to maintain the laser diode temperature in varying climatic conditions, ensuring that output power and wavelength stability remained constant.
The laser module also incorporated a host of digital control and monitoring features, allowing the end user to set operating parameters appropriate to local conditions and to maintain multiple lasers at remote, on-track locations from a central control point.
“ProPhotonix has more than 15 years of experience with laser diode technology and has developed significant design and manufacturing expertise over this time,” said managing director Jeremy Lane.
“Working in close co-operation with our partners, this expertise has allowed us to successfully deliver an innovative laser module solution for this challenging application.”
Upon completion of extensive field testing and refinement, Wheelwatcher was expected to be commercialized in the summer of 2018 with ProPhotonix supplying laser modules for installations throughout Europe and worldwide in 2019 and beyond, Lane added.
“In addition, the various features and technologies developed for Wheelwatcher are intended for broader applications and customer requirements.”