Mushroom
Complete solution for automated brake testing
The Swiss Federal Railways SBB Cargo and PJM, the Austrian system specialist for rail transport, are working together on the development of an 'intelligent freight train'. Also involved: an automation system from Pilz.
In the future-oriented 'Intelligent freight train' project, the project partners are focusing in particular on the partial automation of train preparation. Newly developed communication and cloud solutions in combination with suitable sensor technology should help to make checking the brakes before departure much easier and safer at the same time.
One of the first steps towards an intelligent freight wagon is the automated brake test, which until now has been a time-consuming process: Technical staff manually check the brakes for functionality directly on the wagon for each newly formed train. In future, this is to be automated for safety reasons. Shunting operations and the affected track area will benefit from greater safety before and at the scene of the incident.
Together with PJM, the automation company Pilz developed a complete solution consisting of hardware and approved application software for an automated brake test: The solution installed on the freight wagons includes the 'PSS 4000-R' automation system, which was specially designed for automation tasks in the rail industry. The control system determines the status of the brakes and passes this on to a telematics system that is also installed on the wagon. The control solution is connected to the train driver's tablet via a local radio system and to the web-based backend system via the LTE mobile communications standard. This means that the train driver is always informed about the current status and functionality of the brakes without having to check this manually for each individual wagon before each departure.
Sources of error 'before departure' can thus be reduced and train preparation is faster. For a 500 m long freight train, the automated brake test saves up to 30 minutes.
You might also be interested in
Cooperation for secure digital rail infrastructure
The automation company Pilz and the provider of safe rail infrastructure Pintsch are entering into a development partnership. Together, the companies will develop solutions for the digitalization of railroad infrastructure in the future.
read more...Protection for the weakest link
Industrial security is a 'moving target'. This means that everyone involved must also keep moving and constantly put the available tools to the test. This also applies to user administration.
read more...Monitor axles safely
The motion monitoring module PNOZ m EF 1MM2DO of the configurable small controller 'PNOZmulti 2' from Pilz also offers the functions cascading and delayed switch-off in the area of safe motion monitoring.
read more...Open for tamper-proof communication
The SecurityBridge firewall from Pilz now also guarantees monitoring of the data communication of any other network participants outside the Pilz product family.
read more...Secure hold for the moving belt
For the protection of conveyor systems and machinery, Pilz is expanding its range of position and proximity switches with the compact draw-wire switch PSENrope mini.
read more...New opportunities in rail technology
The automation provider Pilz remains on course for moderate growth despite the economic downturn. Among other things, the company is focusing on 'Rail 4.0' as a growth market for the future.
read more...Dynamic alarm display and secure input processes
Hima, provider of safety-related automation solutions, and Deuta, provider of certified display and safety technology, are jointly launching a solution that includes Hima safety systems and function block libraries as well as a safety-related...
read more...CEO appointed for Sella Controls
The Hima Group has appointed Carl Ramsden as CEO of Sella Controls with effect from October 1, 2025. According to Hima, this newly created position represents an important milestone in the further integration of the British company into the Group.
read more...Certified virtual Safety PLC in accordance with IEC 61508 SIL3 - now also with FSoE
The CODESYS highlight at the SPS 2025 trade fair is the virtual safety controller in the container certified by TÜV Süd in accordance with IEC 61508 SIL3 - on any number of devices. New: Now also on ARM-based systems and with FSoE.
read more...