The reliability and safety of railway operations directly depend on the timely detection of rail defects. Ultrasonic testing has proven to be one of the most effective non-destructive testing methods. Today, a wide range of equipment is used for this purpose: from manual inspection trolleys to high-speed automated systems installed on locomotives and road-rail vehicles. Practical field experience, supported by many years of operation, along with modern technologies - particularly the OKOSCAN-73HS system - demonstrates that the optimal combination of inspection quality, mobility, and cost efficiency delivers maximum performance.
The reliability and safety of railway operations - especially on high-speed and heavily loaded track sections - are determined by a combination of factors, among which timely detection of rail defects is one of the most critical. During operation, rails are subjected to significant dynamic loads and high stresses in the wheel-rail contact zone, leading to the development of metal contact fatigue. Even minor internal discontinuities or surface damage under such conditions can evolve into critical defects and significantly increase the risk of rail fracture. Effective non-destructive testing (rail flaw detection) of rails makes it possible to detect such hazardous flaws at early stages and prevent their progression to a critical level.
Hand-pushed flaw detectors, such as the UDS2-73 and UDS2-77, are used for confirmatory inspections following high-speed ultrasonic rail testing or for primary inspections of small track sections, tight-radius curves, station tracks, and other areas where high-speed systems are impractical or ineffective.
The OKOSCAN-73HS systems can be mounted on various chassis to meet diverse user requirements. A railway car or hi-rail truck with a dedicated cabin offers ample space for large displays and ensures comfortable working conditions for operators — essential for continuous inspection of extensive railway tracks.
The safety of railway operations across the globe relies significantly on the quality and integrity of the railway tracks. Tracks in good condition serve as the foundation for safe and reliable transportation, reducing the likelihood of accidents and ensuring smooth operations. Achieving and maintaining such safety standards in the most efficient and cost-effective manner involves the implementation of Risk-Based Engineering principles. These principles provide a structured framework for assessing and mitigating potential risks associated with railway tracks.
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