ULTRASONIC TEST VEHICLE

The system has been developed in conjunction with on-track operators, and consists of a specially designed battery-powered lightweight Alumicart fitted with proven digital ultrasonic instrumentation. The system is available with a choice of sliding probe packs or wheel probe packs with multiple 70/70/70/70/70/70/38/38/0 transducer arrangement.
The UTV operates at any speed up to 16 Km/h. It scans both rails simultaneously and bi-directionally, so that a single pass on the UTV scans both rails in both directions.
Once a defect is detected the operator reverses the UTV back over the affected area for confirmation of size and type of defect. A-Scan and B-Scan images are recorded and the location is derived by GPS and automatically recorded on the laptop. Further details concerning the defect are entered as required. No further manual testing should be required.
The design and quality of the ultrasonic equipment allows defects to be identified at an earlier stage than existing manual systems. The information from the scan is stored on disc, and thereby a comparison of succeeding scans over a period of months enables the growth pattern of defects to be monitored; this allows for advance programming of the removal of defects and so reduces costly emergencies.
A laptop computer is used for continuous recording of rail depth as well as recording of defects and platform gauging if required.
 
The real benefits, demonstrated by proven figures, are achieved through:
- savings in man hours
-savings in equipment cost
-increased sensitivity, with improved positive flaw detection allowing for flaw development monitoring
-the provision of hard copy information for forward planning and track auditing

Specification:	1435mm Gauge
Overall length	125 cm
Overall width	162 cm
Height below roof	92 cm
Weight without batteries	100	Kg
Weight of batteries	100	Kg per set