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| |  | Why change from my current supplier? |
| | | Can Abtus products be used on any rail system? |
| | | How should I order tools to fit my specific requirements? |
| | | How can I be sure I have ordered the right gauge? |
| | | Should my measurement equipment be re-calibrated and by whom? |
| | | Many of Abtus' products are non-metal (insulated) - are they wear resistant? |
| | | Are the products accepted for use on Network Rails infrastructure? |
| | | Data-Logging Trolley? |
| | | What are the minimum system requirements for our software? |
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Why change from my current supplier? |
| | It’s a good question, but one that’s easy to answer. “We believe we make the best track geometry gauges in the world” (probably!) |
| | What differentiates us from the rest is the fact that we design and manufacture in house (99% of all work is carried out on our own premises) this enables us to provide our customers with; standard & bespoke product solutions to consistent quality levels, with shorter lead-times. |
| | Our products have been TRACK TESTED over many years in various situations throughout the world. |
| Can Abtus products be used on any rail system? |
| | Although based in the United Kingdom, we have manufactured equipment for a many companies from the MTRC in Hong Kong to Union Pacific in North America . In many cases our tools will be compatible anyway, otherwise there is an extensive range of products available on request to fit different track standards. |
| | We will even build specials just for you. (To date, we have manufactured equipment for 8 different track gauges & 15 different rail types). So just ask. |
| How should I order tools to fit my specific requirements? |
| | There is a product code suffix system to ensure that you receive the item to your specification. Firstly, state the 4 number product code for the item, then specify the special measurement requirements using the suffixes; (g) for gauge, (r) for rail, (p) for gauge location height, (x) for imperial units and finally the country code. |
| | For example: |
| | Abt 4370-g1668-p16-x-E would be the correct code for a Data-logging Trolley to fit a 1668mm gauge, measuring the width at 16mm below rail head, reading in imperial units, for use in Spain. Note: The suffix values should be stated in millimetres even if the tool is to be imperial. If no suffixes are given then the following is assumed: g1435, p13, r95lbRBH, GB. |
| How can I be sure I have ordered the right gauge? |
| | This all depends on what you are looking to measure. |
| | Abtus manufacture a range of gauges each with different design criteria. |
| | Most gauges are multifunctional with a minimum capability of measuring gauge and level, on the other end of the scale our data logging trolleys are capable of collecting and recording up to 12 different track measurements. |
| | The product required will generally be identifiable by name, however some of our most common gauges are referred to as either cross level or super elevation gauges. These are products that have been designed to measure the different aspects of the track level through a transition and curve. A basic explanation of the terminology is as follows: |
| | Cant – The designed elevation of track to maximise line speed and ride comfort through a curve. |
| | Super Elevation – The actual measurement of the cant |
| | Cross Level – Also referred to as level transfer, this is the difference between the designed cant and the super elevation. |
| | "Cant is what you want, Super Elevation is what you have, Cross Level is the difference". |
| Should my measurement equipment be re-calibrated and by whom? |
| | Re-calibration depends upon your local quality standards, however it is usual to have all safety-critical equipment re-calibrated every 6 or 12 months depending on usage. |
| | Abtus has a facility for re-calibration and repair and would be happy to quote for this service. |
| Many of Abtus' products are non-metal (insulated) - are they wear resistant? |
| | To maximize trackside electrical safety, Abtus manufacture their products out of non-conductive materials such as composites and polymers - this also helps to reduce the weight. |
| | The black "plastic" is in fact molybdenum filled nylon 6 & 66 which, by having an extremely low coefficient of friction, is able to withstand greater abrasive wear than stainless steel! |
| Are the products accepted for use on Network Rails infrastructure? |
| | Yes! - Abtus have been manufacturing products designed for maintaining rail infrastructure for over 90 years and as such most of our products have adopted grandfather rights. |
| | As new products are introduced we submit the details to Network Rails Product Acceptance department for assessment, however to date the conclusion has been that formal acceptance is not necessary and there has been no objection to Abtus products being used on the infrastructure. |
| Data-Logging Trolley? |
| | | Why must I wait for my Data-logging Trolley to warm up? |
| | | How is the trolley transported to site? |
| | | How many people are needed to carry the trolley from the vehicle to the site? |
| | | Whereabouts on site should the trolley be set up? |
| | | Why does the trolley need to be rotated 180 degrees before use? |
| | | How long will the battery last? |
| | | What about battery care? |
| | | How much information can data-logged before the memory is full? |
| | | Does the trolley interfere with the track circuit? |
| | | Is the trolley able to pass through S&C (switches & crossings)? |
| | | What increments does the trolley measure in? |
| | | What software is the trolley compatible with? |
| | | Can data be exported to MS Excel? |
| | | Is the software available only in English? |
| | | How often should the trolley be calibrated? |
| | | Does the trolley need any specific care routine? |
| | | At what speed can the trolley operate? |
| | | When downloading to my PC how do I know which com port to use? |
| | | Will the trolley be affected by electrical interference? |
| | | How can I tell if the memory is full? |
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| Why must I wait for my Data-logging Trolley to warm up? |
| | The level-sensing transducer built into the trolley to measure the super-elevation works using a liquid electrolyte. This electrolyte undergoes an initial chemical change when power is supplied during this time spurious measurements may be caused. To prevent trolley inaccuracies, activity is suspended until the sensor has stabilized. |
| How is the trolley transported to site? |
| | The trolley will fit into most saloon cars (with the back seat down) and pick-up vans. |
| How many people are needed to carry the trolley from the vehicle to the site? |
| | Only one person is required to carry the trolley to site. When in its bag the trolley weighs 16.5kg (36.4lbs). |
| Whereabouts on site should the trolley be set up? |
| | The trolley should be set up ‘Off’ the track. |
| Why does the trolley need to be rotated 180 degrees before use? |
| | Every time the trolley is switched on it needs to be calibrated, this is done by measuring the super-elevation in one direction and comparing it to the super-elevation in the opposite direction. |
| How long will the battery last? |
| | 20 hours of continuous use can be obtained when the battery is fully charged. |
| What about battery care? |
| | The battery should be kept charged for use and not be allowed to discharge. If the battery becomes too low it will become un-usable and affect the trolleys stability. |
| How much information can data-logged before the memory is full? |
| | 9.6km of data can be stored with the trolley set to record every 0.75m. This increases to 19.2km with record intervals set at 1.5m. |
| Does the trolley interfere with the track circuit? |
| | The poles on the trolley are manufactured from GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic), and the wheels are made from nylon 6.Therefore the trolley is fully insulated from the track circuit. |
| Is the trolley able to pass through S&C (switches & crossings)? |
| | The trolley can pass through S&C, however the gauging arms may have to be manually moved by turning the gauge knob inwards. |
| What increments does the trolley measure in? |
| | The normal measurement is 0.75mts and multiples thereof up to 3mts. However the trolley will interpolate to other required measurements. |
| What software is the trolley compatible with? |
| | All software is compatible with Windows 98 and 2000, XP, and NT. |
| Can data be exported to MS Excel? |
| | Yes, all data can be exported to excel for spreadsheet or database applications. |
| Is the software available only in English? |
| | No, the software can be automatically transferred to a selection of local languages (from selection). However we are working on adding “pictograms” where the local characteristics are not compatible with English text. |
| How often should the trolley be calibrated? |
| | Every twelve months is the normal calibration timescale unless the trolley has been dropped or damaged in which case it should be returned for Quality Assurance inspection. |
| Does the trolley need any specific care routine? |
| | Normal care as for any calibrated tool should be exercised at all times. There is no need for lubricants or other oils. The rollers / wheels should be kept clean and free from dirt build up otherwise readings could be compromised. |
| At what speed can the trolley operate? |
| | The trolley is designed to operate at normal/brisk walking pace and has not been designed to be fixed to a vehicle. The speed should remain constant during recording as stopping or jerky movements could lead to inaccuracies. |
| When downloading to my PC how do I know which com port to use? |
| | The com port must be free, that means not assigned to any other device or software drivers. The control box will prompt you if the com port is already assigned. |
| Will the trolley be affected by electrical interference? |
| | As with all sensors sudden spikes could affect the stability of the trolley and in serious instances could be detrimental to the trolleys circuitry. |
| How can I tell if the memory is full? |
| | There is a feature on the control box where free memory levels can be checked. We recommend that sessions are downloaded and saved to your PC and that the memory is cleared as soon as possible. At normal 0.75mtr recording intervals the memory is cable of saving over 9 km’s of recording. |
| What are the minimum system requirements for our software? |
| | The Abtus download programs all need 32-bit windows operating system (95, 98, NT, XP) plus one free 9way serial COM port. |
| | In addition a copy of Microsoft Excel 7.0 or later is needed to make use of all of the functions provided. |
| Do you have an agent or distributor in my country? |
| | Abtus are well represented in most regions around the world, please contact our UK office for details of the distributor in your area. However as we are always looking to expand our network we would be pleased to hear from you should our range of products be of interest. |
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