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Wiper Motors and Integrated Linkage Assemblies

from Rail Professional 9th Edition Industry Reference Book

from Rail Professional 9th Edition Industry Reference Book, page 113

Victa Railfreight

Founded in 1868 and incorporated in 1899 in Yorkshire, B Hepworth began by manufacturing chemicals for the local carpet industry

Fast forward to 2008 and Hepworth Rail International, now based in the West Midlands, became the first LRQA approved UK company to achieve the coveted International Railway Industry Standard (IRIS) accreditation. IRIS has been modelled on similar quality standards that are already in place in the aerospace and automotive industries, and complements the internationally recognised ISO 9001 quality standard.

In 2009, with the acquisition of Crossley Fabrications, Hepworth, now occupying a 90,000 sq. ft factory in Redditch, had a very wide range of plant and equipment including latest CNC machines and an in-house powder coat plant, making Hepworth a fully self-contained manufacturer of its world leading range of windscreen wiping systems.

Since then, Hepworth Wipers have been used on Chinese high-speed trains going at a record breaking speed of 258 mph.

In January 2016, the newly designed, extra heavy-duty, straight line wiper was launched into the market. The quietest and most smooth-running wiper on the market using blades up to 2,000mm in length, the redesign made a significant impact on the wiper’s price and cost of installation.

System Types

Hepworth offers a range off wiper systems that will cater for all vehicle applications. From standard flat screen vehicles to curved tram screens the systems are designed to meet all the necessary customer sight line requirements.

Projects and Customers

Hepworth carries out projects throughout the world; from a simple refurbishment of existing stock, through complete design, research and development, to final delivery and installation of the finished product.

The New Viper 3 Motor

The retrofit wiper kits are designed as replacements for pneumatic, older electrical and underperforming systems. Hepworth has standard off-theshelf kits, as well as the ability to design bespoke systems to meet the customer’s requirements.

Over time the company has been able to gain the knowledge and experience to design standard off-theshelf systems that can be used on the majority of older vehicles. The low maintenance systems come at an affordable price as well as maintaining the high levels of quality and still meeting the industry specific standards. The 50Nm, 80Nm, and 120Nm compact wipers come in any required voltage and can be used on all rail vehicle applications.

In addition to the standard offthe-shelf parts, Hepworth can also offer additional products to give you a complete new system. Other available products include wash tanks (stainless or plastic), wash pumps, control systems, electrical harnesses and drivers interface units, as well as wash hose kits and mating half connectors.

Along with supplying products to meet your requirements Hepworth has a dedicated team of engineers to support in any site visits. The technical team will make an initial visit to understand the existing wiper system and mounting positions, and to provide technical information as to what system would be best suited for your application. The team will also attend the initial installation and provide any support required. It could be as simple as plug and play.

Overhauls and Refurbishment

Like most components over a period of time, Hepworth’s wiper systems will start to wear. At this time it is recommended that the wiper system is overhauled. The overhaul period for each system is calculated based upon past experience and testing carried out during project development, with the majority of projects realising a four to five year recommended overhaul period. At this point a full condition assessment is carried out and parts are replaced or repaired if necessary and provided with a subsequent twelve-month warranty.

Part of the full condition survey of two train sets of systems has in the past identified that, after four to five years on some projects, the units are still in generally good condition and therefore a subsequent extension before overhaul is recommended, depending upon a number of factors such as system use, environmental conditions, loads on the system, etc.

The benefit of overhauling a wiper system is the extended life that this will give, as well as reducing the risk of in-service failures and vehicle delays. In addition, it engenders confidence that the wiper systems will not provide any cause for concern, leaving you safe in the knowledge that you will not need to do anything until the next serviceable period.

The specialist returns department is equipped to carry out overhaul or refurbishment activities on serviceable wiper systems. The team offers full support in setting up overhaul programmes that suit the customer best and guarantee short turnaround times. All systems are serviced to a new condition, as well as being fully tested to the original specifications and being issued with a one-year warranty.

Hepworth also offers onsite training so that customers are able to carry out the overhaul activities as they require. A full overhaul works instruction will be supplied and a list of all the special tooling needed to carry out the overhaul.

Benefits of Wiper Arms and Wiper Blades:

• Pendulum arms at any lengths and cranks within operating parameters.

• Pantograph arms at any lengths and cranks within operating parameters.

• Wash tube fed internally through shaft.

• Four spray wash nozzles for maximum screen coverage or more if required.

• Articulated and flat blades from 450mm to 1,300mm.