Norgren, a global market leader in pneumatic motion and fluid control, will give worldwide debuts to four new technologies developed specifically to deliver engineering advantage for the global rail sector at Innotrans 2012, to be held at Messe Berlin from 18 to 21 September 2012 (hall 10.2 / stand 217).
The Norgren stand will feature a ‘reliability’ area aimed specifically at the refurbishment market, especially train operating companies. This will highlight Norgren’s unique understanding of the daily challenges facing train operators, such as managing obsolescence, improving reliability and product performance, extending maintenance intervals, reducing overhaul costs, and lowering weight and emissions. Stand visitors will be able to discover how Norgren can help meet these challenges through the delivery of high-quality solutions proven in the field from an established global technology leader offering dedicated local service and engineering support.
Meanwhile Norgren is asking visitors to set a challenge to its customer ideation team who will be on hand throughout the event. Norgren’s unique approach to ideation and innovation has driven many key developments in the rail sector and is a key strand of the company’s brand campaign "you can see our thinking". Live ideation sessions will take place on the stand throughout Innotrans, with customers able put their challenges to Norgren, either in advance or during the event, to generate ideas and propose solutions.
High-performance products on show
Making their first appearances globally will be an innovative compressed air dryer, freeze protection valve, minimum pressure valve and electric contactor solenoid valve.
Norgren’s air dryer uses adsorbent media tube (AMT) technology, which houses adsorbent material within a tube structure, ensuring moisture can be regenerated faster and more economically. The dryer boasts an average service-free life of six years, significant weight savings and an improved drying performance.
The freeze protection valve protects on-board water systems from freeze damage and has been specifically designed for endurance in extreme environments, with the aim of minimising service intervals, delivering both time and cost savings.
Norgren minimum pressure valves are suitable for applications wherever a protected air supply pressure or pressure-sensitive signal is required, including the protection of critical vehicle pneumatic systems, such as brakes. Offering a virtually leak-free design, they are available as in-line or sub-base versions, with or without a non-return valve and offer low hysteresis with excellent repeatability.
Developed specifically for use with circuit breakers in electric rail vehicles, VR24Z solenoid valves are direct acting, fast response products delivering optimum reliability and safety for a range of applications including cam shaft connectors, line breaker connectors, vacuum and air blast circuit breakers and shoe gear controls.
European debut for trio
Meanwhile, Norgren’s curved door actuator will be unveiled to the European market for the first time. Boasting robust guiding, low maintenance costs (guiding tracks only need greasing once a year) and easy replacement, this innovative new system not only meets the challenges of today’s improved on-board toilet facilities, but also provides improved access for both able-bodied and disabled passengers while satisfying limited space requirements.
The company will display a range of innovative valve products for horn control and operation, with manual, pilot and solenoid operated options, and featuring double contact safety switch technology for feedback to the data logger. The range is vibration tested to EN 61373 Category 1, Class A and B, and is suitable for operation between -40°C and 70°C.
Also on display will be Norgren’s acclaimed LR27H new high-flow precision pantograph regulator, which is an accurate, highly responsive, modular product offering supreme performance in even the most demanding environments.
Mark Wrigley, global sector head of rail at Norgren, commented: "As a proven innovator in a range of technology areas for the rail sector, we are delighted to have the opportunity to showcase the latest generation of high-performance products and solutions to global specifiers and engineers at Innotrans 2012.
"The sector is demanding, ever increasing performance and durability from components, as well as the ability to operate responsively in each country in partnership with customers, requirements which Norgren, with its unrivalled global technical expertise and commitment to exceptional local service, is uniquely placed to meet. We’re keen to demonstrate this to visitors and the live ideation sessions will give them an insight into how we work and how we can help develop real solutions to their technology issues.
"We also anticipate strong interest in our latest technologies, which have undergone testing in the field to guarantee their performance in the most demanding applications."