The new LARS-m wheel contact force measuring system was developed as a stand-alone system in response to market demands. It is designed in such a way that it can be used as both a stationary and a mobile measuring system. It takes just a few minutes to install and remove. No special tools are required for this purpose.
There are measuring amplifiers located downstream of the wheel load measuring systems. These are connected as CAN bus systems and their job is to supply the measuring bridges with a specific input voltage and to digitise the output signals received from the measuring bridges.
They communicate with a central measurement data controller, the WMV. The WMV has a TFT panel to display the readings therefore measurements can also be taken without the computer. The touch-screen input facility is also the means whereby commands can be sent to the measuring amplifiers.
The wheel-rail contact force is tested on the wheel flange. This means that faults related to the running surface are ruled out from the outset, such as faulty grip due to conical wheels and effects caused by the linear expansion of the rail.
The LARS-m wheel contact force measuring unit is supplied ready calibrated, obviating the need for any time-consuming and expensive adjustment on site. This calibration is undertaken by an independent accredited body in conformity with DIN 7500-1. This body is in turn accredited by the German national accreditation body (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH (DAkkS)) as conforming to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025.