One sensor, four encoders: New multi-unit axle encoder BPIV2 by Baumer for the railway industry

They deliver speed information to the driver's cab, regulate traction during start or make sure the wheels do not block when braking: For many train subsystems, precise wheel speed information is indispensable. Operating independently from each other, each subsystem requires an axle encoder of its own. New BPIV2 by Baumer is a self-supported multi-unit axle encoder. Succeeding the very successful BPIV and BMIV encoders, BPIV2 hosts four independent encoders and each can be separately configured.  No competitive product on the market provides this benefit. The axle encoder is quickly and safely installed. There is no need for axle-specific adjustments thanks to one-cable overall signal transmission, which considerably cuts down on installation effort.

“Depending on operating conditions, costs in the BPIV2 life cycle are significantly lower than those of conventional axle encoders, " underlines Manuel Niedermann, Product Manager at the Swiss sensor expert Baumer. The exchangeable bearing pack, a Baumer innovation,  makes a valuable contribution to reduced life cycle costs. Railway vehicles are expected to be in operation for 30 years and more. Due to tremendous strain in  operation, moving parts and especially bearings suffer extreme wear. Up to now, standard procedure was uninstalling the encoder for return to the manufacturer for maintenance. Besides being very time-consuming, it often took several weeks until having the encoder back. With BPIV2 it is completely different: On-site maintenance by replacing the worn bearing pack within half an hour, without requiring any re-adjustments.

But there are more sophisticated features. Taking into account the individual subsystem requirements, the operator can select between units with incremental current or voltage signals to be freely combined within the axle encoder. Each unit allows for free selection of  to 1200 ppr to ensure precise speed measurements both at high and low speed. Furthermore, smart BPIV2 features additional functions such as function signal checks to identify any defects - such as a line break - even when the train is at standstill.

Like every other product that is new in the Baumer railway portfolio, BPIV2 come with GS1 compliant labels stating GTIN (article number) and GIAI (serial number). This way, they ensure error-free and efficient identification throughout the entire product life cycle: from shipping to installation on to maintenance.

Much is new with BPIV2, but reputed robustness has remained. Baumer has decades of sensor experience in the railway industry. The independent family-owned Swiss Group is a global leader in the development and manufacture of sensors and encoders and renowned for innovative, tailored solutions even in challenging applications. Baumer played a major role in the development of robust magnetic sensing technology featured by BPIV2. The axle encoders thus defy rough conditions present at the wheel axle, passing compliance tests to EN 50155 with ease. Thanks to the many configuration options, the BPIV2 encoders are the optimum and perfect fit solution for most varied applications on wheel axles.

New BPIV2 axle encoder further adds to the comprehensive Baumer railway portfolio including bearingless, wear-free high-performance axle encoder BPIK as well as sensors for level, pressure and temperature measurement and cameras for inspection systems.