Ultrasonic rail flaw detection equipment and integrated rail inspection systems
[email protected]1585 N 4th St, San Jose, CA 95112 USA
New technology GT6600 hi-rail ultrasonic flaw detectior put into production.
Case Study

New technology GT6600 hi-rail ultrasonic flaw detectior put into production.

Railway operators in Asia and emerging markets face increasing pressure to inspect long-distance tracks efficiently Many existing flaw detection systems are slow, require dedicated track possession, a

Home/New technology GT6600 hi-rail ultrasonic flaw detectior put into production.

Client Background

Railway operators in Asia and emerging markets face increasing pressure to inspect long-distance tracks efficiently Many existing flaw detection systems are slow, require dedicated track possession, and cannot operate in remote or harsh environments Operators need equipment that can travel at high speed on roads and switch to rail inspection mode without delay There is a growing demand for automated, high-speed detection systems that maintain high accuracy across varied rail profiles International railway projects require equipment that meets local standards and can be deployed quickly in diverse conditions

Project Challenge

Inspection of long rail lines must be completed within tight maintenance windows Traditional inspection methods are too slow to cover large distances at operating speeds Equipment must transition from road travel to rail operation without requiring cranes or heavy lifting Detection systems must maintain high sensitivity while operating at speeds up to 40 km/h Remote and harsh environments require durable, reliable equipment with minimal downtime

Our Solution

GT6600 hi-rail ultrasonic flaw detection vehicle operates at up to 40 km/h on rail and drives on road with retractable hi-rail gears 18-channel wheel probe system with two 9-channel probes, one per rail, enabling full rail head, bolt hole, and base inspection Hydraulic test carriage ensures stable probe positioning and consistent coupling during high-speed operation Lightweight, modular mechanical design allows for easy transport and on-site setup without lifting equipment Data from A-scan and B-scan is recorded for later playback and expert review, ensuring traceability

Final Result

GT6600 now in use in domestic railway flaw detection markets with proven performance Vehicle successfully deployed in long-distance, high-speed inspection scenarios Operational flexibility allows rapid deployment across road and rail networks High detection rate maintained at speeds up to 40 km/h with reliable data recording Customer feedback confirms ease of operation and reduced inspection time per kilometre

Customer Benefit

Inspects both rails simultaneously at up to 40 km/h, reducing inspection time and track possession Road mobility with retractable hi-rail gears eliminates need for transport vehicles or cranes 18-channel probe system detects transverse cracks in rail head, bolt hole breaks, and base defects Data is recorded for playback and expert review, enabling second-level verification Lightweight design allows transport and setup by two people without lifting equipment

Detail

Customer Pain Points

  • Single rail inspection vehicles require double the number of passes for full coverage
  • Heavy inspection vehicles cannot be moved manually and need lifting equipment to access tracks
  • Low detection speed limits the amount of track covered per shift
  • Manual inspection is subjective and cannot detect internal defects like transverse cracks
  • Lack of data recording prevents re-review of inspection results after crew departure
Detail

How the Work Was Done

  • Vehicle platform built on a proven hi-rail chassis with optimized mechanical structure
  • Hydraulic system integrated for smooth test carriage movement and probe alignment
  • 9-channel wheel probes installed on both rails with automatic angle and position control
  • Coupling water system designed for consistent flow and visible level indication
  • Control console and data management software pre-installed and tested before shipment
Detail

Quality Control

  • GT6600 passed internal testing and validation before bulk production began in late 2021
  • All detection systems verified for consistent signal output and probe alignment
  • Data recording and playback functions tested under simulated high-speed conditions
  • Hydraulic and mechanical systems inspected for durability and reliability in harsh environments
  • Final inspection includes functional checks of road and rail operation modes

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