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INFRARAIL 2018
Condition-based supply chain G30
Unipart Rail Unipart Rail has developed the concept of an integrated condition-based supply chain as the seamless management of real-time data and information, combined with multiple data sources relating to the asset, to deliver increased operational efficiencies and maintenance savings. This concept is a natural development for Unipart Rail as it brings together several existing and emerging technologies and capabilities into a complete digital ecosystem. To power the system, it needs data that is collected and combined from multiple sources. Condition Based Monitoring (CBM) sensors are one source of data but other useful information can be used to help monitor and predict the need for replacement parts. CBM data can be combined with historical demand
New Combined Route Indicators save space and money
patterns, defect, warranty and repairable reports and vehicle maintenance schedules to make the ecosystem work to deliver increased benefits. The recent acquisition of Instrumentel, which has driven innovation in providing electronic sensors for exacting environments such as Formula 1 engines and nuclear power plants, has given Unipart Rail an excellent capability to monitor asset condition and provide actionable information to clients as well as complimentary supply chain systems. Instrumentel provides the full suite of sensor technologies, diagnostic hubs, data centre and user portals to view and access the outputs of the data. These tools are being used across the portfolio of Unipart Rail’s information systems to provide a unified visual interface to access the performance data that is available to clients.
Rail Engineer | Issue 162 | April 2018
Variable Message Signs Variable Message Signs (VMS) will be displaying a range of lightweight LED Rail Signals. Of particular interest this year will be two new products; a Compact Colour Light Signal and a Combined Route Indicator. The compact CLS uses the same electronics and light engine as existing VMS MkII signals, so it can be configured as medium or long range, narrow or wide beam as required by the application. The new enclosure design minimises the space envelope occupied by the signal, making it suitable for applications where physical restrictions prevent installation of the standard signal. In addition to simply reducing the overall size of the signal, the enclosure has been redesigned to allow lineside replacement of individual modules. This is something VMS will be demonstrating on its stand as
E30 well as explaining the full range of features offered by their innovative LED signals. The existing VMS Standard and Miniature Route Indicators are designed with a fully populated array of LEDs that can be configured at the point of manufacture using a programmable logic array. This provides an extremely high level of flexibility in the alphanumeric indicators as almost any combination of LEDs in the array can be illuminated. VMS has developed an interesting application for these signals, a new concept called CARI, Combined Route Indicator. In this configuration, up to 20 combinations of SARI or MARI aspects can be selected and displayed on the same unit. This eliminates the need for two separate indicators, saving both space and costs for locations where two separate signals cannot be accommodated.