1. Althensensors
  2. Measurement Systems
  3. Railway measurement systems

Railway measurement systems

Precise and high-quality systems and tools for operation and maintenance

We offer a variety measurement solutions for the Railway industry; from sensors that can be embedded in trains, to measurement instruments for maintenance departments. Also structural health monitoring solutions are part of our scope. Where previously lots of time and labor was needed to make accurate measurements, our high-tech tools complete measurements within seconds.

  • independent and free consultation
  • customisable design
  • integrable into your systems

Products

Wheel diameter measurement tools

Wheel diameter measurement tool

  • Measuring range 400 to 1.400mm
  • high precision measuring of wheel rolling circle diameter
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Wheel profile measurement tools

Wheel profile measurement tool

  • Measuring range 1 mm to 965 mm
  • Measure up to 17 geometric parameters
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Back 2 back measurement tools

Back-to-Back measurement tool

  • Various measuring ranges available
  • Measurement of back-to-back distance between wheels
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Automated 3D wheel measurement system

Automated 3D wheel measurement systems

  • For full 3D modelling of railway wheels
  • Measuring speed 15 km/h to 350 km/h
  • Accuracy to 0.05 mm
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Train tram weighing system

Train/Tram weighing systems

  • Variable measuring ranges available
  • For accurate static and dynamic weighing
  • Determine balance of every individual axle
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Disk brake profile measurement tool

Disk brake profile measurement tool

  • Measuring range to 30 mm
  • Analyse disk wear and brake disks profile
  • 100.000 measurements memory capacity
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Customised Railway measurement systems

Our offer to you

We offer standard Railway measurement systems, but can also help you with a customised design or a complete measurement solution

Find out more now

Simply send us your contact details and tell us what you are looking for. Our sales specialists will get in touch with you to help you explore your options

  • Fast processing
  • Cost-effective
  • Customised to your needs
  • Always the right solution
Rail profile measurement tool

Rail profile measurement tools

  • Measuring range -15,00 to +20,0mm
  • Analyze rail head profile and rail wear parameters
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Railway Measurement Systems 

We offer high-precision and high quality railway measurement systems. These systems contain multiple unique measurement tools related to the railway industry. Various dimensions and profiles of both rails and wheels can be measured based on state of art laser technology. Where previously lots of time and labor was needed to make accurate measurements, today the Althen high-tech tools complete measurements within seconds. The railway systems can be custom made. Please contact us - we look forward to provide you with a tailor made solution!

Reduce operating and maintenance costs

Increasing demands on rail transport in terms of reliability, punctuality, growing passenger numbers and shorter journey times are placing ever greater demands on measurement technology. In order to realise safety-relevant monitoring and predictive maintenance in passenger and freight transport, reliable monitoring of important system components is necessary. This requires robust and accurate sensors and measurement technology solutions. Althen offers innovative and cost-effective solutions for predictive maintenance, servicing and maintenance, quality assurance and repairs.

What advantages does our railway measurement systems offer?

  • More cost-effective than most measurement solutions
  • Increases the efficiency of your maintenance processes
  • Reduces your operating costs
  • Reduces downtime by recognising necessary maintenance measures and repairs in good time
  • Automates time-consuming manual processes
  • Enables measurements within seconds
  • Can be customised to meet specific needs
  • Easy to operate

Possible applications for railway measurement systems

  • Predictive maintenance
  • Maintenance and servicing work
  • Repairs
  • Quality assurance during production
  • Measurement of wheel profiles during the journey
  • Determining the weight of trains and wagons during the journey
  • Quality assurance in the area of railway infrastructure

Railway measurement technology for every application: what sets us apart

With us, you will find the right web measurement technology and the right web tools for every area of application. We are happy to support you in your selection. At Althen, we draw on more than 45 years of experience to offer you the optimum solution, customised to your requirements. This also includes customised web measurement systems as a complete package. The advantage for you is that we are not tied to one manufacturer and can advise you independently. On request, we can customise the measurement system exactly to your needs. Do you have any questions? We are here for you!

  • Cost-effective
    Reduces costs for predictive maintenance, servicing and maintenance, quality assurance and repairs.
  • Easy-to-use
    All measuring systems are fully automatic and very easy to operate.
  • Wide range of applications
    Whether for high-speed traffic, local public transport or freight transportation: Althen is your reliable partner.

Innovative and future-proof railway measurement solutions

From simple handheld devices to fully automatic, non-contact laser systems: Althen offers you a broad portfolio of extremely precise and high-quality systems for railroad measurement technology. Using the latest laser technology, you can take a wide variety of measurements on rails and railroad wheels, for example.

All web measuring systems are fully automatic and very easy to operate. This allows you to avoid many time-consuming manual measurements. This saves you time and resources. You also speed up your maintenance and servicing processes. On request, we can adapt our web measuring systems to your individual requirements. The high-tech tools from Althen enable highly accurate measurements within seconds. In addition to permanently installed measuring tools, we offer mobile handheld devices for flexible use in various maintenance facilities and railroad systems.

Whether for high-speed traffic, local public transport or freight transportation: Althen is your reliable partner. We supply innovative and cost-effective solutions for quality monitoring and predictive maintenance of rail vehicles - both in operation and in maintenance and repair.

Railway systems in action

Would you like to get to know our products in practice? Here you can gain exciting insights into our customers' projects:
Discover more projects & applications

Our services

Optimized maintenance & servicing of rail vehicles

Process optimization, predictive maintenance, digitalization and IOT in the rail sector

The rail pact poses major challenges for rail operators, infrastructure owners and vehicle maintenance companies: How can the planned growth in passenger and freight transport be implemented successfully and economically? The prerequisite for rapid improvements is reliable monitoring of important system components of infrastructure and trains in order to reduce failures and lower maintenance and repair costs. This can be achieved through the use of sensors and monitoring systems as well as their networking with databases and subsequent data analysis. Althen GmbH Mess- und Sensortechnik offers a wide range of innovative solutions for this:

  • Predictive maintenance
  • Maintenance and servicing
  • Quality assurance
  • Repairs

Do you need advice, further information or a customized solution? We will be happy to advise you!

Derailment protection

There are a number of risks that can lead to a train derailment. These include the failure of mechanical running gear components, displaced loads or dynamic effects of the interaction between the track and the rail vehicle. The smallest deviations in these parameters must be detected with maximum reliability so that the maintenance team can evaluate the data in good time and plan and implement any necessary repairs or maintenance work promptly.

Flat spot detection

Defective wheels can cause other parts - such as the wheelset or the rails - to wear out and, in the worst case, lead to the derailment of a train. All wheels must therefore be regularly checked for possible damage and maintained. Flat spots and the lack of roundness of the wheel are among the most common signs of wear. Diagnosis can be carried out quickly and inexpensively on the open track while the train is passing. This significantly speeds up and simplifies the subsequent maintenance of the rail vehicles.

Weight detection

Correct weighing and weight detection play an important role in freight trains. Determining the exact weight of locomotives and wagons prevents the infrastructure from being overloaded, can form the basis for usage fees and provides safety-relevant information (for example, if the load shifts during the journey).

Ride comfort measurement & structural analysis

In addition to the monitoring of rail vehicles, the monitoring of infrastructure such as bridges, rails, switches and track beds is also an important part of a functioning rail system. While the focus is on monitoring vibrations in bridges, the track bed is examined for vibrations and changes. This information is of great importance for the maintenance and renewal of the track bed.

Predictive Maintenance

Wheels on railroads and streetcars are subject to continuous wear. Consequences include changes to the diameter, flange height and spacing of the wheels. In order to be able to plan maintenance and repair work on rail vehicles in good time, it is advantageous if the service team knows all the wheel parameters before the train arrives at the maintenance depot. One solution is the simple and quick measurement of the wheels by laser during the passage.

Portable measurement tools

Our measuring devices for wheel maintenance provide you with reliable and accurate wheel parameters. They are based on laser technology (contactless measurements) and have been specially developed for use at railroad maintenance sites. They measure the diameter and inner distance of the wheels on an axle in a modern and innovative way and scan the profile. The software collects and stores the data of all measurements via Bluetooth. You can easily transfer the data to other systems.

Feel free to contact our engineers.

How can we help you with your application?

We offer standard railway tools and solutions but can also help you with a customized design or a complete measurement solution.

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  • Quick reply
  • Cost-efficient
  • Tailored to your needs