The maintenance of railway infrastructures in Europe is undergoing a significant transformation thanks to the introduction of an innovative robotic system. Developed by Robel Rail Automation, a Bavarian company specializing in railway maintenance, this system uses FANUC industrial robots to automate the repair of rails and switches.
Robel Rail Automation, founded in 2022 and based in Bavaria, Germany, is a company specializing in the maintenance of railway infrastructures. With more than 500 employees, the company is dedicated to developing automated systems for the repair and maintenance of railway tracks.
One of Robel Rail Automation’s most notable projects is the development of a robotic system capable of repairing rails and switches. This system uses FANUC industrial robots to detect and repair internal and external defects in the tracks. Equipped with ultrasound technology, eddy current measurement systems, and cameras, the system identifies damage not visible to the naked eye and performs automatic repairs through welding, milling, and grinding processes.
The implementation of this system offers multiple benefits, including continuous and safe maintenance work, ensuring uniform and well-documented work quality. Additionally, it helps mitigate the shortage of skilled workers in the railway sector by automating repetitive and complex tasks.
System Configuration and Operation
The system consists of a wagon that moves along the tracks and is equipped with two FANUC robots. These robots are designed to detect both internal and external defects in the rails. Once anomalies are identified, the robots carry out automatic repairs through welding, milling, and grinding processes.
Advantages and Benefits
Thomas Weis, development director at Robel Rail Automation, highlights the growing demand for automated maintenance systems assisted by robots, especially for complex and laborious tasks such as switch repair. The shortage of skilled workers, such as welders, has driven the need for automated solutions that can perform repetitive tasks with precision and consistency.
The Robel Rail Automation system offers multiple benefits:
- Continuous and Safe Maintenance: Performs maintenance work continuously, safely, and efficiently in resource use.
- Consistent Quality: The use of FANUC robots ensures uniform and well-documented work quality.
- Precise Defect Detection: Equipped with ultrasound technology, eddy current measurement systems, and cameras, the system can identify damage not visible to the naked eye and provide precise digital data to railway operators.
Impact on the Railway Industry
Ralf Völlinger, general manager of robotics at FANUC Europe, expresses optimism about the future role of robots in infrastructure maintenance. He notes that there is a significant need for modernization in railway and road networks, and robots can accelerate prolonged maintenance projects by taking on repetitive tasks, partially mitigating the growing labor shortage.
The collaboration between Robel Rail Automation and FANUC represents a significant advancement in the automation of railway maintenance in Europe. The implementation of this robotic system promises to improve efficiency, safety, and quality in the repair of rails and switches, marking a milestone in the modernization of the continent’s railway infrastructures.
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