One of the most powerful lifting systems in the world has been installed by the SNCF at its new "East European Technicentre". A synchronized lifting line can lift a complete TGV train-set - some 200 metres long and weighing 386 tonnes - in just 10 minutes to an accuracy of a millimetre, thus allowing maintenance of the running gear.

This represents a world record in terms of the accuracy / volume / weight ratio and was achieved with the use of Control Techniques Unidrive SP AC drives in conjunction with LSMV asynchronous brake-motors from sister company Leroy- Somer, who was responsible for leading the project.

The new Technicentre, located on the outskirts of Paris, is the maintenance headquarters for the TGV Est, which links Paris to 21 cities in eastern France as well as 11 other destinations in Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Journey times have been drastically reduced - Paris Strasbourg, for example, is reduced from four hours to just two hours 20 minutes.

There are a total of 26 jacking stands fitted along the maintenance line, each fitted with an 11kW Unidrive SP drive, incorporating three plug-in modules; SM Applications module to give powerful on-board programming, SM Interbus for drive to drive synchronization and communications and an SM Universal Encoder module for position feedback from the jacks. The Leroy-Somer LSMV motors were provided with absolute encoders for accurate positioning and fitted with brakes for security.

 

 

 

 

Over the full length of the maintenance line, positioning accuracy is better than 1-mm. Set-up is quick and flexible. The operator can use all 26 jacks or fewer if the train is shorter and are interconnected by quick-release connectors. Communication between drives and the overall line controller is by Interbus-S.

Because of the high-efficiency and reduced turn-around times of the new maintenance facility, SNCF is assured of maximum availability of the 52 new train-sets, each representing state-of-the-art railway engineering capable of reaching a commercial speed of 320kph and requiring nearly 100 preventative maintenance inspections per year.

Recently a specially prepared TGV train achieved a world speed record of 574.8kph (357.2mph) near Le Chemin on TGV Est.

The Unidrive SP AC variable speed drive range spans 0.37kW right up to 1.9MW. Unidrive SP is the world's most advanced 'solutions platform' AC drive, configurable into five operating modes - open and closed loop, vector, servo and regenerating modes - connectivity to most industry standard networks and accepting 14 position feedback protocols. With a range of plug-in module options, its on-board PLC can be supplemented, as in this case, with programmable modules.

 

For further information please visit

www.emerson-ct.com