Long term contract

Brüel & Kjær Vibro (B&K Vibro), an NSK Group company, has signed a long-term contract with Stadler Rail to install the VCM-3 Condition Monitoring System (CMS) in 606 wagons of the Berlin underground. The system will help to optimise the maintenance schedules of the wagons, keep their uptime at a high level and reduce operating costs.

The multi-million euro order is part of a contract recently won by Stadler Rail AG, Bussnang/ Switzerland, to supply up to 1,500 new wagons for the Berlin underground network. The framework contract is worth almost €3 billion, making it one of the largest public transport supply contracts ever awarded in Europe. The metros will be built at the Standler site in Berlin-Pankow.

In the condition monitoring solution from B&K Vibro that will be used here, vibration sensors record the operating status of bearings and other rotating components of the rail vehicles. They provide data for on-board diagnostics, which are evaluated by the associated analysis software. Continuous monitoring of the components creates an essential prerequisite for reliable and safe metro operation.

Due to the high demands on reliability in public transport, such solutions are being used more and more frequently. They help to minimise downtimes and reduce operating costs. The CMS solution enables the implementation of the latest generation of predictive maintenance strategies. These strategies not only allow the optimisation of maintenance schedules. They also contribute to increasing the operational reliability and uptime of the railways with a "lean" cost structure.

B&K Vibro has been a global pioneer in this field for decades and ensures the high availability of rotating machines, components and drives with intelligent monitoring solutions. NSK acquired B&K Vibro in March 2021, strengthening its ability to meet the demand for advanced automation, the use of smart technology and the implementation of sustainable drive concepts environmental measures. The acquisition also serves to accelerate the development of NSK's CMS business on a global basis.

B&K Vibro's comprehensive product and service offering includes vibration sensors (measuring acceleration, velocity, displacement), vibration monitors, associated software and highly integrated, plant-wide online monitoring solutions. These technologies enable the safe operation of transport systems, factories, petrochemical plants, power stations and wind farms around the world, among others. They are an important component of innovative maintenance and production strategies.