How Can We Help?
< All Topics
Print

What is a Light Rail And Subway Components Manufacturer

DataMyte Engauge!™ Software Improves gauge Traceability and Helps Manage gauge Availability 

A manufacturer of complete braking and compressed air systems for light rail transit and subway cars produces air compressors, piping, reservoirs, mechanical brake pads, and the components used to attach these to the wheel assemblies, known as “trucks.”

Components were customized for U.S. transit systems in specific cities, such as Atlanta and Portland, as well as for foreign customers. Brake components were directly related to transit system safety, so inspections were important to ensure that all parts were within tolerances and that all systems functioned properly.

Problem

The manufacturer was maintaining two separate databases, one for gauge calibration and one for gauge inventory in the gauge crib. The system generated a paper trail between the manufacturing facility and the calibration laboratory, which sometimes led to misfiled calibration records or misplaced gauges. In addition, the manufacturer spent time and money maintaining and checking the two databases.

Solution

Engauge!,™ DataMyte’s gauge management and calibration software, was installed to maintain a single database for the manufacturer. The result was paperless data transfer between the company’s manufacturing facility and its calibration laboratory

Because Engauge! is automated, the possiblity of misfiled calibration records was eliminated and the instance of misplaced gauges was greatly reduced. The manufacturer also has saved time and money by maintaining a single database instead of two.

The gauge kitting feature allows operators to check out the gauge kit needed from the crib prior to using it in the machine shop. All gauges needed for a specific operation were documented in Engauge! and immediately available, so operators were ready to begin work more quickly. 

Engauge!’s “accumulate” feature computed time between calibrations on actual hours of gauge usage, rather than calendar days. This helped the manufacturer eliminate unnecessary calibrations and increase gauge availability. It also resulted in increased assurance that brake and compressed air system parts were within tolerances and would function properly.

Table of Contents