SKF launches sensorised bearings to increase sefety on railways

SKF launches sensorised bearings to increase safety on railways SKF is launching a bogie monitoring system for railway cars that has been developed jointly with the Swiss company Sécheron, specialist in data acquisition and handling of safety-relevant information. The launch takes place at InnoTrans, the international railway exhibition in Berlin, opening September 12. The new SKF bearing unit captures speed, temperature and vibration data to monitor bearing and wheel conditions. Sécheron's newest generation of data acquisition unit handles the analysis and communication with the train's control system. This fully integrated approach will improve train safety while decreasing maintenance cost. What makes the SKF solution unique is that the sensor also can send a vibration signal to an onboard processor to build a history of component condition and warn of an impending bearing or wheel problem or a derailment condition. At this exhibition SKF also launches a new generation tapered bearing unit - Compact TBU - a new design for railway wheel sets, improving both safety and performance. Other new products are hybrid bearings, advanced rolling bearings with rolling elements in ceramic material, a technology used in the SKF aircraft bearing designs. This technology is now introduced by SKF in bearings for electric traction motors. These products provide electric insulation, and thus longer bearing life and lower maintenance costs. SKF is today the leading full assortment bearing supplier to the world railway industry. SKF is also a key supplier to the high-speed trains in Europe. Göteborg, September 8, 2000 Aktiebolaget SKF (publ.) For further information, please contact: Lars G Malmer, SKF Group Communication, tel +46-(0)31-3371541, e-mail: Lars.G.Malmer@skf.com Aktiebolaget SKF, SE-415 50 Göteborg, Sweden, tel +46-31-3371000, fax +46-31- 3372832, www.skf.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/09/08/20000908BIT00260/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/09/08/20000908BIT00260/bit0002.pdf