Wheel Manufacture for Railways

[B][COLOR="Red"]Wheel Manufacture for Railways[/COLOR][/B]

[B]ABSTRACT:[/B]

This paper describes recent manufacturing modernization efforts and technical
progress at the production facility of wrought railroad wheel and axle manufacture.
Improvements to forging and rolling processes are discussed,with special emphasis on the
new computer-controlled, vertical wheel rolling mill. Also described are upgrades to
forging and dishing presses, the rotary heating furnace, automated wheel
stamping equipment and a hot in-process laser inspection system. Finally,
the installation of a new phased array ultrasonic inspection system for wheels is
reviewed. Quality and productivity benefits of the new equipment are discussed
throughout the paper.

[B]INTRODUCTION:[/B]

Manufacture of wheel for railways in steel plants is an intricate and integrated process involving several mechanical operations which are to be carried out with precision to avoid minor flaws in production which may lead to disaster i.e. loss of life. The life of a wheel is near-about 12 to 15 months hence production is also on a large scale. According to statistics Indian railways purchases 250 to 300 wheels on daily basis from the Wheel and axle plant located in Durgapur Steel Plant.
Wheel and axle plant of Durgapur Steel Plant has the distinction of being one of the two plants, which produce wheels, axles and wheel sets for supply to the Indian Railways. The other plant is situated at Bangalore is owned by Indian Railways. The manufacturing process is very complex and a mixture of a number of process. The product as such is very quality sensitive. The daily safety of innumerable commuters depend on it.

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