Knorr-Bremse Rail UK has announced it will be an exhibitor at Railtex ‘17, which takes place during May 9-11 at the NEC, Birmingham and on their stand, (G11 near the main entrance), they will be showcasing their Connected Systems concept.
Providing a complete systems solution, Connected Systems takes an integrated approach using advanced Knorr-Bremse control and monitoring technology. The approach combines high levels of efficiency and safety with low commissioning times and low operating and life cycle costs. Diagnostics can be carried out on the various vehicle sub-systems using a standard service tool, facilitating optimised servicing and preventative maintenance resulting in greater vehicle availability.
Specially developed touch screen technology on the stand will explain the systems which can be integrated, controlled and monitored, and support visitors’ understanding of the Connected Systems concept. On the stand there will be also be a range of new and improved Knorr-Bremse systems. These include braking, train control, air-conditioning and power supply, system types which can be networked to deliver a ‘whole train’ approach.
Systems of particular interest on the Knorr-Bremse stand will include; the Intelligent Air Control system, a particularly innovative system that saves operating costs and reduces noise levels, the Safe Sand system which precisely controls the amount of sanding required at any given time, the new MGS3 Wheel Slide Protection system which improves wheel-rail adhesion even under the most extreme conditions and which can deliver shorter braking distances, and the EP2002 intelligent Distributed Brake Control (DBC) system, which is celebrating 50,000 units being delivered for service around the world. This outstanding system uses advanced mechatronic technology to optimize brake performance across the entire train and was designed and is manufactured in the UK. In addition, core components from Knorr-Bremse Group company, Selectron, including the Smartio range are on display. Smartio is a decentralized, standardized I/O system for signal conditioning of the vehicle controller that significantly reduces the wiring requirements for the control cabinet.
Knorr-Bremse provides a huge range of overhaul, service, maintenance and modernization services under its RailServices brand in the UK. These services from the major facilities at Wolverton and Springburn are also well represented on the stand. One innovative display can even demonstrate to visitors a ‘before and after’ modernization experience for our complete portfolio using innovative virtual reality technology.
Under the title of Connected Systems, Knorr-Bremse provides complete, standardized solutions from a single source that generate added value for vehicle manufacturers and operators in terms of time, technology and cost. Carefully matched hardware and software for sub-systems, equipped with standardized interfaces and tested prior to delivery, enable vehicle manufacturers to benefit from improved project planning, simplified homologation procedures and lower costs. Diagnostics can be carried out on the various vehicle sub-systems using a standard service tool, which means that commissioning and servicing are also significantly sped up. The result is greater vehicle availability and lower operating costs. The basis throughout is a scalable performance range based on a single principle: the more extensive the networking, the greater the ultimate benefit.