Portable Rail Tribometer
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![A rivelin Rail portable rail tribometer on track near zermatt, switzerland, measuring friction]()
Investigation
Investigation into the extent, locations and causes of friction anomalies.
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![A worker inspections a traction gel applicator near a sandrover road rail vehicle laying sandite increase traction friction]()
Optimisation of rail cleaning and traction enhancers
Reduce delays, prevent damage and improve safety
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![Friction measurements using portable rail tribometer carried out by Michael Watson, Rivelin Rail co-founder]()
Optimisation of top-of-rail products
Reduce rolling contact fatigue, wear and noise
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![Friction research by university of sheffield]()
Research
Accelerate innovation in friction management
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![Friction management product approvals using rivelin rail portable rail tribometer, on embedded grooved tram track]()
Approvals
Aid adoption of novel friction management products
If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.
Without friction measurements, friction management cannot be optimised. Over £60 million is spent on railway friction management in the UK each year. This includes railhead cleaning, friction enhancing products and lubrication systems.
Despite these costs and effort, friction is not routinely measured. Unreliable visual inspections are often used and the extent of low adhesion, or the effectiveness of new and existing management strategies is not clear.
Trial and error doesn’t cut it elsewhere in the industry; huge performance benefits and cost savings can be made through a smarter, data driven approach. We’re looking towards site specific strategies, rather than current “one size fits all” systems.
Our new rail inspection tool improves the measurements, to improve the management.
Lightweight design in a portable, protective case
Adjustable lateral position lock
Magnetic rail clamps
Intuitive operation. Representative contact conditions for accurate results.
Results in less than 60 seconds for fast, informed decision making.
Adhesion Research Group Recommendations for Good Practice in Low Adhesion Testing
The only portable tribometer to be endorsed by the Adhesion Research Group
Included in Rail Safety & Standards Board guidance (low adhesion test, measurements, and protocols)
Endorsements
Measurement services
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![traction gel being applied to increase friction via sandrover]()
Optimisation of friction management
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![leaf layer formation using RSSB university of sheffield protocols]()
Low adhesion simulation
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![Boxplot comparing friction coefficients under three rail conditions: dry, wet, and leaf layer; dry has the highest median, leaf layer the lowest.]()
Data analysis
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![Rail track with lubricant]()
Friction library
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![Rail tribometer testing in our climate chamber.]()
Environmental chamber
Unit 8, Regent Works, Burton Rd, Neepsend, Sheffield S3 8BX