CBM Lab

The Condition Based Maintenance Laboratory (CBM LAB) conducts research and training in condition monitoring through experimental testing.

In the Condition Based Maintenance Laboratory (CBM LAB), research and training in condition monitoring, experimental trials and product development are carried out. The laboratory, which focuses on condition monitoring of railway and mechanical equipment (switches, rolling stock, etc.), currently houses the following test equipment:

• Test rig for condition monitoring of cracks in switches
  
• Test rig for condition monitoring of different sizes and types of gearboxes loaded with realistic torque and speed
  
• Test rig for testing rolling bearings where radial force is controlled by computer and where accelerations and temperatures are to be analyzed with smart algorithms
  
• Equipment for measuring rail friction and wear resistance
  
• Equipment for measuring ultrasound, phased array and SAFT
  
• Water tank for measuring cracks with ultrasound
  
• Measurement trolley with current technology for detection of fasteners
  
• Level gauge for track position measurements
  
• Gauges according to the resistance measurement method
  
• Track profilometers and surface finometers
  
• Equipment for wireless transmission of railway measurement data
  

In 2019, a boogie, a rotatable undercarriage for trains, was delivered to carry out tests at the university's full-scale switch laboratory.

The Condition Based Maintenance Lab (CBM LAB) conducts research and training in condition monitoring with experimental testing and product development. The lab, which focuses on condition monitoring of railway and mechanical equipment, currently houses a test rig for condition monitoring of cracks in gears and an advanced test rig for condition monitoring of different sizes and types of gearboxes loaded with realistic torque and speed. A model railroad with 45 mm gauge locomotives and wagons is used for training and scale testing. CBM Lab has access to advanced measurement devices such as ultrasonic equipment, devices for detection of missing rail fasteners, laser based rail profile measurement equipment, devices for measurement of vibrations, temperature, vertical positions of rail, rail surface, friction coefficients on rail, wear constants in railway applications etc. Ongoing research and development projects supported are for example; new modularized switches, new transition zones, predicting failure of machine components, ultrasonic measurements and rail lubrication.