TM100 - In-Tie Switch Machine

TM100 - In-Tie Switch Machine

The Alstom TM100 In-Tie Switch Machine is in production and in revenue service in the North American Market.


As the newest of technology in Alstom Signaling's Switch Products, the TM100 offers significant advantages with regard to Construction, Acquisition and Maintenance Costs; it is particularly ideal for New Construction Projects. Competitively designed and engineered, the TM100 is positioned to lead the Switch Machine Product Market and become the Industry Standard In-Tie Solution. This machine is, in fact, the Switch Machine of the Future as it reduces product and track maintenance, total infrastructure and is a universal Switch Solution.

This Product Introduction will introduce you to the features and benefits of the TM100 and answer questions regarding the Alstom In-Tie Solution.

For any additional questions or concerns regarding the TM100, please contact Customer Service at 1-800-717-4477.

The TM100 In-Tie Switch Machine is ALSTOM's newest addition to the Switch Machine product line. The TM100 was designed, engineered and manufactured utilizing ALSTOM's global resources and focusing on the reduction of Total Supply Chain Costs. The TM100 helps to reduce costs, parts inventory and maintenance of the product while maximizing operating profit through easier installation.

The TM100 features the latest in design technologies to deliver superior safety, reliability and performance. Its rugged design eliminates the need to continuously regulate adjustments of the points and, through a patented design achievement, thermal expansion effects of running rail to the switch machine are minimized. The machine is also protected from mechanical overload damage by the use of an electronic time-out within the controller. The TM100's motor is a brushless, servo-type, which eliminates related brush maintenance, and no gear timing is needed.

The TM100 Switch Machine helps lower life-cycle costs and provides more operational consistency without compromising the demanding requirements of today's rail industry. Its unique dimensions allow for mechanical tamping which provides greater track stability and ensures higher quality of maintenance. The TM100 is the only In-Tie machine that can provide this peace of mind. Through its double-bolted connection to the stock rails and its lightweight, narrow design, the TM100 becomes integrated with the track structure. A bolted connection is essential to a quality "In-Tie" application.

ALSTOM has drawn on the experience and expertise gained from over a century in the Switch Machine business to ensure that our customers will receive the best value for their purchase. ALSTOM has evolved its switch machine product line from a purely functional product offering to a more responsive, life-cycle product offering which improves all areas of daily rail operations. Competitively designed, the TM100 is positioned to lead the Switch Machine market for all Freight, Transit, and Commuter applications.

SPECS

Rail Sizes

• Universal

Thrust

Adjustable: 500 to 4000 lbs.

Voltage

• 24 & 110 DC

Current Draw

• 5-10 Amps (110-VDC)

• 13-17 Amps (24-VDC)

Control Wiring

• 3-Wire Mode

• Upgrade to 2,4, & 5 Wire Mode (ant; Q4 2007)

Temperature Range

• -40 to 70 Degrees Celsius

Dimensions

• Length = 110"

• Width = 12"

• Depth (from Bottom of Stock Rail) = 9.25"

• Height (from Bottom of Stock Rail) = 6.80" (only on Motor End)

Throw Time

• 110-DC = ~3.5 seconds

• 24-DC = ~10 seconds

Weight

• 1000 lbs.

Point Opening

• Adjustable: 4 to 6.25 Inches

Overload Protection

• No Clutch. Electronic Time-Out

Control

• Dual



BENEFITS
• Allows for Point "Rail-Run":
• Machine Tampable:
• No Clutch:
• Brushless Motor:
• Modular Components:
• Limit Switches:
• No Lock System Adjustment:
• No Headblock Ties Needed:
• No Rods, Gauge Plates, Clips, Basket, Lugs:
• Internal Overload Protection:
Eliminates seasonal trouble calls
Reduces Track Pumping & Maintenance
Less Maintenance
Less Maintenance
Easy Field Repair
No Contact Finger Adjustments
Easier Installation, Testing, & Maintenance
Reduced Construction Costs
Reduced Construction Costs & Maintenance
Reduced Costs on Overload Relays


FEATURES

Hand Crank Cut-Out Switch

Power is cut to the motor when the Hand Crank is inserted into the allotted hole. This safety feature keeps the machine from being operated electrically when manual operations are being performed. It's also set up to break the correspondence circuit when the hand crank is inserted.

Quick Release Wiring

Using a military-type connector, the external harness can be quickly disconnected and reconnected without "Disarrangement" to the wiring. The connector is keyed, which allows its pins to be seated correctly every time.

Stock Rail Electrical Isolation

The machine is completely isolated from one stock rail to the other through reinforced plastic pads on the stock rails, points & bolts. Track Circuits will not be shunted. Reliability of these pads has been proven to withstand the most utilized and problematic switch locations.

Machine Mounting

An important feature of the machine, is the bolted connection to the stock rail. This secure mounting method keeps the machine & locking system from shifting in relation to the track, which helps reduce the frequent loss of correspondence typically witnessed on loose wayside machines and Unstable track. A Bolted connection is essential to a quality "In-Tie" application.

24 or 110 VDC Motor Module

A 24 or 110 VDC Motor Module is available when ordering a machine. A simple 4-Bolt connection to the housing allows for easy replacement if ever necessary. The motor is a brushless, servo-type, which eliminates related brush maintenance. No Gear timing is required.

Limit Switches

Correspondence and Motor Limit contacts are enclosed in IP-67, Positive-Break Limit Switches. These are not proximity switches and do not require external PLC's for control purposes. Quick Disconnect wiring allows for easy replacement if ever necessary.

Main Locking

Fishtail-type hammers provide the locking protection for both the open and closed points. The philosophy is based on a direct locking of the points, where minimal point pressure is required and maximum holding force is achieved. Adjustment of the locking units has been pre-designed into the system, eliminating the continuous need to regulate the locking of the points.

Point Detection

The TM100 Detection System uses a keyed cam, which prevents detection & locking of the machine when properly adjusted to the 1A" Detection Regulations. The secondary "slave" rod (internal) which drives the position of the key, follows the points and will not allow the key to permit correspondence or locking if not within the correct 1" spacing position. Adjustment of the point detection is accomplished through external shims on the Point Adapters.

No Clutch

The machine is protected from mechanical overload damage (ex: obstruction) by the use of an electronic time-out within the controller. A spike in current is detected, which in turn opens the power circuit path after a time-lapse of 3 seconds.

Multiple Stock Rail Applications

The machine is designed to fit stock rail sizes from 115# to 141#. When ordering a machine, specify the appropriate size Stock Rail Adapters that correspond to the rail size at the intended install location.
Maintenance

The Lock Units and Motor Drive Gear are the only areas that require periodic lubrication. Grease Zerks on the external Point Adapter Posts allow for quick and easy lubrication of the internal Locking Units. The Linear Drive Actuator never needs to be greased because it sits in its own sealed oil bath. (Rated to 10-Million Cycles)


1/4" & Related Adjustments

Throw, Locking & Detection adjustments are nothing more than a few simple shims between the Points and Point Adapters. Standard 1A" Point Adjustment becomes an uncomplicated process that involves a single wrench.

Sequence of Operation

The machine operates under the standard cycle operation philosophy.

During a typical sequence, the machine:

1. Breaks correspondence

2. Unlocks the points

3. Throws the points

4. Locks the points

5. Regains correspondence (if proper point position is achieved)

External Reference Dials

Quick, Accurate verification of locking and correspondence limit switch actuation are manifested on the machine housing (external). Through the rotating dials, a maintainer can mechanically identify Normal & Reverse positions only when the machine is locked and the safety stroke is completed.

Trainmen & Signalmen have all found this feature extremely helpful.