Precise and high-quality systems and tools for operation and maintenance
We offer a wide range of measurement solutions for the railway industry, from sensors integrated into trains to advanced measurement systems for maintenance teams. Our portfolio also includes structural health monitoring solutions.
Where accurate measurements once required significant time and manual effort, our advanced technologies now deliver reliable results within seconds.
Our product scope
We offer standard railway measurement systems and provide customised designs or complete measurement solutions when required.
We offer high-precision and high quality railway measurement systems. These systems contain multiple unique measurement tools related to the railway industry. Various dimensions and profiles of both rails and wheels can be measured based on state of art laser technology. Where previously lots of time and labor was needed to make accurate measurements, today the Althen high-tech tools complete measurements within seconds. The railway systems can be custom made. Get in touch to explore a custom railway measurement solution!
Increasing demands on rail transport for reliability, punctuality, higher passenger volumes, and shorter journey times are placing greater pressure on measurement technology. To enable safety-critical monitoring and predictive maintenance in both passenger and freight transport, reliable condition monitoring of key system components is essential.
This requires robust, accurate sensors and advanced measurement solutions. Althen provides innovative and cost-effective technologies for predictive maintenance, servicing, quality assurance, and repair applications.
With Althen, you’ll find the right web measurement technology and tools for every application. Our experts support you in selecting the most suitable solution for your requirements.
With over 75 years of experience, we deliver tailored solutions based on proven expertise. This includes complete, customised web measurement systems. Because we are not tied to a single manufacturer, we provide independent, objective advice and can configure each system to your exact needs.
Have questions? Our specialists are ready to assist you.
From simple handheld devices to fully automated, non-contact laser systems, Althen offers a broad portfolio of high-precision railway measurement solutions. Using advanced laser technology, a wide range of measurements can be performed on rails and railway wheels.
All rail measurement systems are fully automated and easy to operate, reducing the need for time-consuming manual measurements. This saves time and resources and helps streamline maintenance and servicing processes. On request, systems can be tailored to your specific requirements. Althen’s high-tech solutions deliver highly accurate measurement results within seconds. In addition to permanently installed systems, we also offer mobile handheld devices for flexible use across maintenance facilities and railway networks.
Whether for high-speed rail, public transport, or freight operations, Althen is a reliable partner. We deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions for quality monitoring and predictive maintenance of rail vehicles, both during operation and throughout maintenance and repair processes.
The rail pact presents major challenges for rail operators, infrastructure owners, and vehicle maintenance companies. How can the planned growth in passenger and freight transport be realised efficiently and economically?
A key requirement for achieving rapid improvements is the reliable monitoring of critical system components across infrastructure and rolling stock. This enables reduced failure rates and lower maintenance and repair costs. These goals can be achieved through the use of advanced sensors and monitoring systems, combined with data connectivity, database integration, and intelligent data analysis.
Althen Mess- und Sensortechnik offers a wide range of innovative solutions, including:
Do you need advice, additional information, or a customised solution? Our specialists are ready to support you.
There are a number of risks that can lead to a train derailment. These include the failure of mechanical running gear components, displaced loads or dynamic effects of the interaction between the track and the rail vehicle. The smallest deviations in these parameters must be detected with maximum reliability so that the maintenance team can evaluate the data in good time and plan and implement any necessary repairs or maintenance work promptly.
Defective wheels can cause other parts - such as the wheelset or the rails - to wear out and, in the worst case, lead to the derailment of a train. All wheels must therefore be regularly checked for possible damage and maintained. Flat spots and the lack of roundness of the wheel are among the most common signs of wear. Diagnosis can be carried out quickly and inexpensively on the open track while the train is passing. This significantly speeds up and simplifies the subsequent maintenance of the rail vehicles.
Correct weighing and weight detection play an important role in freight trains. Determining the exact weight of locomotives and wagons prevents the infrastructure from being overloaded, can form the basis for usage fees and provides safety-relevant information (for example, if the load shifts during the journey).
In addition to the monitoring of rail vehicles, the monitoring of infrastructure such as bridges, rails, switches and track beds is also an important part of a functioning rail system. While the focus is on monitoring vibrations in bridges, the track bed is examined for vibrations and changes. This information is of great importance for the maintenance and renewal of the track bed.
Wheels on railroads and streetcars are subject to continuous wear. Consequences include changes to the diameter, flange height and spacing of the wheels. In order to be able to plan maintenance and repair work on rail vehicles in good time, it is advantageous if the service team knows all the wheel parameters before the train arrives at the maintenance depot. One solution is the simple and quick measurement of the wheels by laser during the passage.
Our measuring devices for wheel maintenance provide you with reliable and accurate wheel parameters. They are based on laser technology (contactless measurements) and have been specially developed for use at railroad maintenance sites. They measure the diameter and inner distance of the wheels on an axle in a modern and innovative way and scan the profile. The software collects and stores the data of all measurements via Bluetooth. You can easily transfer the data to other systems.
We offer standard railway tools and solutions but can also help you with a customized design or a complete measurement solution.