Wayside Train Measurement with ARGOS® from HBK
PRECISE AND RELIABLE MEASUREMENT DATA FOR THE RAIL INDUSTRY

Precision pays for itself.
The more accurate the measurement data in WTMS systems, the safer and more precise the implementation of changes to your existing rail system. Only valid and precise measurement data allows for the development of further business models and reliable strategies for preventive maintenance and cost reduction measures.
A safe future.
The modular design of ARGOS® is its strength. ARGOS® is continuously developed to adapt to changing application requirements. ARGOS® can be tailored according to your needs, and extended at any time, making it future proof.
ARGOS® Systems provides you with the benefits of compatibility and upgradeabilty
Upgradeabilty
The modular systems can be uncompromisingly adapted to suit the application. The only components used are those necessary for the task at hand. A subsequent expansion of the configuration is not a problem. For example, an ARGOS® WIM system can be upgraded with an ARGOS® OOR module at any time
Interfaces are our language
Integration with main control centres and third-party systems via standardized or customer-specific interfaces is simple. Modern vehicle management concepts are supported via a complete RFID integration.
Tried and tested
The tried and tested standard technology − compact, cost-effective, and robust. Implemented millions of times and quick to install, the strain gauges benefit from HBM‘s in-house development and production capacities.
The long-distance system
Optical fiber Bragg grating technologies demonstrate their strength when it comes to long distances, exposure to extreme EMC influences, or measurements at high-voltage levels. There is no signal loss and they are not affected by electromagnetic interferences over long distances. You benefit from HBM‘s own development and production centre for optical sensors and electronics.
The dynamic solution
Piezo sensors can help when dynamic forces occur. For a long time, HBM has showcased its skills in the piezo technology sector with its PACEline brand.
ARGOS® WIM (Weigh in Motion, dynamic weigher) can be used to acquire the load status of vehicles at normal line speed with the greatest possible accuracy. Vehicle weight, axle loads, wheel forces and loading state can be monitored efficiently and precisely.
Train weight: 1% to 100 km/h, 2% to 200 km/h
Vehicle weight: better 0.5% to 30km/h, 1.5% to 100 km/h, 2% to 200 km/h
Can be combined with: OOR, WILD, LONG, PROFIL
ARGOS® RBM Straight (Running Behaviour Measurement for straight lines, unstable vehicle run) continuously measures the horizontal and vertical forces to monitor the risk of derailment, and detects hunting (instability, sine run). On straight tracks, some vehicles tend towards undulating running which can lead to instability.
Train weight: 1% to 100 km/h 2% to 200 km/h
Vehicle weight: 1.5% to 100 km/h 2% to 200 km/h
Horizontal forces: 3% to 100 km/h 5% to 200 km/h
Striking angle: ±20 mrad
Can be combined with: OOR, WILD, LONG, PROFIL
ARGOS® RBM Curve (Running Behaviour Measurement for curves, horizontal forces) continuously measures the horizontal and vertical on curves (lateral wheel force, track displacement force).
The task on curves, in addition to derailment safety, is to avoid unnecessarily high driving forces to reduce wear and stress on the superstructure.
Train weight: 1% to 100 km/h 2% to 200 km/h
Vehicle weight: 1.5% to 100 km/h 2% to 200 km/h
Horizontal forces: 3% to 100 km/h 5% to 200 km/h
Striking angle: ±20 mrad
Can be combined with: WILD, LONG
ARGOS® OOR Stand-alone (wheel Out-of-Roundness) delivers reliable wheel shape irregularities with peak accuracy. It is available in a stand-alone version or as an extension module for other ARGOS® products. Its exact qualification and classification of wheel shape irregularities are the basis for modern predictive and descriptive wheel maintenance and unfailing infrastructure asset protection concepts.
50 km/h to 250 km/h
Resolution better than 0.01 mm, measurement repeatability 0.05 mm as trend function, 0.1 mm as individual measurement
Flat point: 30 mm or greater
Polygonization order: 2nd to 32nd
Can be combined with: PROFIL
ARGOS® DYN (Dynamic force and WILD – Wheel Impact Load Detection) can measure continuous dynamic forces exerted by the vehicle on the superstructure. The outstanding feature is its real continuous force measurement over the whole measurement rail section including the sleeper areas. This allows, as a side effect, the determination of the formation reaction coefficient.
Continuous dynamic force: 0.5%
Can be combined with: WIM, RBM Straight
ARGOS® OOR (wheel Out-of-Roundness) measures the deviation from an ideally round wheel with an unreached accuracy. The measurement covers the entire circumference of the wheel in the area where the wheel has contact with the track. The measurement system is designed so that at least two overruns are measured for each wheel. The progression of delta R over the circumference of the wheel is used by the system to derive and quantify types of wheel shape irregularities.
50 km/h to 250 km/h
Resolution better than 0.01 mm, measurement repeatability 0.05 mm as trend function, 0.1 mm as individual measurement
Flat point: 30 mm or greater
Polygonization order: 2nd to 32nd
Can be combined with: WIM, RBM Straight
ARGOS® LONG (Longitudinal force) = measures wheel- and axle-specific braking and tractive forces in longitudinal direction. This helps to identify unusual vehicle behaviour and has the task of avoiding unnecessarily high forces to reduce wear and tear on the rail infrastructure.
Longitudinal force: 3% to 250 km/h
Can be combined with: WIM, RBM Straight, RBM Curve
The cross-wheel profile measurement system is a real-time solution that uses a combination of line laser and high-resolution, high-speed camera for automatic cross-wheel profile measurement at line speeds. The data is used for trend analyses and predictive damage identification and maintenance. The measuring equipment is certified according to ISO 17025.
Can be combined with: WIM, RBM Straight, OOR Stand-alone
The adaptation and extension of HBK standard solutions is a central task. ADES provides future-proof and well-established modules that allow the integration of ARGOS® products into traditionally oriented IT infrastructure provided by the customer. We use concepts of traditional client/server operation as well as cloud, edge and fog computing. Numerous implementations in the fields of critical infrastructure and system integration enable ADES to provide a broad portfolio of products and frameworks. Enterprise application integration is our daily business.
This partner’s strengths lie in research and development in the domain of natural sciences, in particular mechanics and mathematics. This includes the theoretical modelling of practical questions and their implementation into efficient algorithms and computer programs for numerical simulations. Furthermore, huge amounts of measured data are analyzed and verified.