ASC supplies safety sensors for the new ICE generation from Siemens

Pfaffenhofen, 1 December 2010 – ASC GmbH (Advanced Sensors Calibration), one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality acceleration sensors, has developed tailor-made sensors for Siemens Mobility for the new Velaro-D high speed trains. They are used at the bogies within the scope of a new monitoring system. Under this contract, ASC is also responsible for the logistics, testing and assembling as well as certification of the sensors, which are then delivered to Siemens.

Siemens Mobility uses an innovative system in the new ICE trains, which are expected to be taken into operation at the end of 2011, which monitors the wear and tear of bearings, axles, brakes and wheels as well as stability of the bogie. With this it contributes to the driving safety as well as passenger comfort and helps to reduce maintenance costs through faster localization of defects and adjustment of maintenance intervals to the real wear and tear.

For controlling the oscillations of the bogie, the sensors designed by ASC are directly attached to the bogies. These are acceleration sensors of a low frequency, which already work from zero hertz and are based on MEMS technology (microelectromechanical systems).

"To develop components of this complex monitoring system was a challenge, for which we could use our entire know-how and many years of experience. We are very proud to be contributing to simplifying the new ICE generation and thus increasing the safety of our passengers. We will continue to further develop the system with Siemens in future", says Peter Bay, Managing Director of ASC.

Each of the three sensor models measures the movement of the bogie in one of the three axial directions. As all types are used once on the left and right of the bogie, there are six ASC sensors on each bogie. To be able to resist the harsh conditions which the sensors are exposed to underneath the trains, ASC has produced special housings: Two models have durable shells of stainless steel, are waterproof and protected against electromagnetic influences (EMC). They are directly attached to the train and differ in the measuring range - 100g or 10g respectively - as well as the plugs used. The third sensor type which monitors the transverse vibration has an aluminum housing and is attached to the train within a hermetically sealed box. The sensors are connected with the board computer and sound the alarm as soon as certain measurement limits are exceeded.

ASC GmbH:
ASC is a leading manufacturer of high-quality acceleration sensors and provides a comprehensive product portfolio of capacitive and piezoresistive sensors. As the sensors are very tough, shock proof as well as heat-resistant, they can be used in a wide variety of applications, i.e. the automotive industry, agriculture, aerospace as well as geophysics. Well-known customers like BMW, Audi, Daimler, Porsche, MAN, Temsa, VW Shanghai, VW Brazil, EADS, Siemens Transportation Systems, TÜV Süd, Deutsche Bahn, Wittenstein aerospace & simulation, Marin, Alois Pöttinger Maschinenfabrik and Fendt already rely on the products from ASC.

For this, the company from Pfaffenhofen relies on customer-specific production in Germany and consequently quality and customer proximity. In addition, the company offers services like maintenance, repair and calibration for ASC as well as third-party products. Furthermore, ASC exclusively markets Honeywell acceleration sensors as well as gyroscopes of the US company Systron Donner Inertial in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.