KZV - Track Geometry Measuring Devices

Komercni Zeleznicni Vyzkum (KZV) focuses its activity on development and production of complete track geometry measuring devices, and rail and wheel profilemeters. KZV also provides on-demand track geometry measurement, evaluation and consultancy.

Complete track geometry measurement systems

The KRAB™ complete track geometry measurement system was designed as a unique, stand-alone measuring system. The KRAB is a trolley that can be pushed / pulled by a human operator or coupled to a two-way vehicle. Its modular concept adapts to all available track gauges from 545mm to 1,668mm.

KRAB can be equipped either with rollers or flanges, and flanges can be adapted for convenient tramway rail measurement. The main geometrical quantities KRAB measures are gauge, vertical and horizontal alignment (top), cant, and twist. Optionally, it can be equipped with a GPS module for easier localization of defects, track-gradient measurement, etc.

Sophisticated evaluation software recalculates measured data to real geometry, and displays measurement history, events, local defects and quality indices.

The KRAB system is available in two versions - KRAB and KRAB-Light. The original KRAB (called KRAB 84.09) has a robust, steel construction and weighs about 65kg.

Lightweight track geometry measuring systems

KRAB-Light is an evolution of KRAB 84.09. Its duralumin construction reduces weight to 35kg, whilst preserving sufficient stiffness. KRAB-Light thus becomes easier to carry for a single operator.

KRAB-Light can be equipped with other optional devices such as auxiliary arms for turnout inspection, rail-corrugation measuring units, railhead width, cross-rail profile units, surveying GPS receiver and so on.

Track measuring trolley

Besides measuring gauge, cant and twist, the VOK track measuring trolley also measures lateral wear of the vignol and/or grooved rails and the cross-profile of these rails.

Rail geometry measuring vehicles

The MMD vehicle is designed for rail geometry measuring of the track at approximately 40km/h. This measuring system is mechanical (contact) with utilization of some inertial principles.

The MMD frame has been developed as a fully independent unit and can be mounted under any suitable rail vehicle. Measured data is evaluated using software that displays measurement history, events, local defects and quality indices.

Rail cross-section measurement system

Contour is a laser device for the measurement of cross sections of tramway and flange rails, and cross-sections of frogs including their grooves. Contour operates on the principle of flat sampling of the entire laser light-path on the surface of the measured rail.

The entire cross-section highlighted by the laser is sampled at one moment. To generate the laser path, a red laser with a cylindrical lens is used. To sample the laser mark image on the rail surface, an area image sensor with integrated control computer is used.

Rail roughness and corrugation measuring device

MDK01 is a measuring device intended for the measurement of rail surface roughness for the needs of railway track-noise assessment, and for the measurement of corrugation. It is able to independently measure uninterrupted segments in a length of several meters, evaluate the acquired data and compute the resulting third-band analysis in conformity with the EN15610 41 standard.

Wheel profilemeters

The wheel profilemeter is a device designed to measure the cross-wheel profiles of railway and tram vehicles in continuous mode.

Wheel diameter measurement devices

Spider is a device for wheel checking for operational wear (wheel diameter) and wheel testing before re-profiling.