Recording and utilising process-relevant data

CAF’s LeadMind digital platform includes a wide range of data acquisition devices designed to optimise workshop activities, improve safety and enhance the performance of maintenance contracts. These devices, which are installed on the commercial track or in the workshop, are of modular design and allow the measuring station to be customised to the specific needs and requirements of operators or maintenance facilities.

Currently wheels, brakes, bogies, pantographs, underframes, roofs and car body side walls are inspected and measured. The data obtained, from measurements through to visual inspections for further advanced analyses, is collected and centralised in the LeadMind Wayside software.

The goal: an intelligent maintenance plan

The aim is to automate routine tasks so that workshop procedures can be planned on the basis of train components’ condition and the downtime of each vehicle can be optimised to ensure maximum fleet availability. The combined capabilities of LeadMind to supervise on-board equipment and LeadMind Wayside for the supervision of wheels, bogies, pantographs and various rolling stock areas provide an overall view of the fleet’s condition.

CAF has more than 70 LeadMind Wayside systems in 24 countries which display the condition and wear trends of components, thereby facilitating automatic inspection by maintenance centres. Thanks to technological advances and the expertise gained over the years, the Spanish developer of mobility systems is paving the way for artificial vision systems which will bring significant improvements to an intelligent maintenance plan in the near future.