EM-SAT Rail measurement vehicle

The EM-SAT is a vehicle for the precise measurement of the rail geometric parameters level, direction, superelevation, and gauge. The computer calculates the correction data to improve the position of the rail, which are directly entered into the ALC control of the automatic tamping-shifting machine.

A laser beam is aimed at the receiving unit of the main machine from a satellite vehicle. The main vehicle measures a rail's position, effectively with a load of 16.5 tonnes per axle. The laser technology allows measurements up to 250 metres, which for the first time ever makes detection of long wave deviations in the rail possible, particularly relevant for high speed tracks. The system is supplemented with a so-called theodolite to determine the absolute position of the rail.

The EM-SAT is equipped with measurement axles (Chord measurement) and an 8- channel writer to measure the level, gauge, superelevation, curvature and twist to give a direct comparison with the tamping machine. The system is permitted for rail and switch acceptance by the DB AG.

Data display, storage and analysis

Data collected by EM-SAT is reproduced on the graphical display on the calculation monitor directly after each measurement.

After the measurements are completed, the data are printed, stored on external data carriers and prepared for further processing as part of maintenance or building measures. The established lever and shift values of the rail are transferred to the tamping machine with digital data carriers and carried out automatically.

The digitalisation of the measurement values guarantees flawless data transfer for the mechanical maintenance and absolutely complete documentation of the quality of a rail's position.