Shrestha, Nabin (2022) Remote Controlled Motorised Laser Alignment Trolley. [USQ Project]
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Text (Project)
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Abstract
Queensland Rail (QR) operates a significant rail network, consisting of 6,500 km of track (Queensland Rail 2021) that must be maintained to ensure safe and reliable rail operations. This scale of maintenance means that any improvement in efficiency, and safety, of track maintenance is highly valued.
This project aims to improve the efficiency and safety of track maintenance, by developing a remote-controlled motorised laser alignment trolley. Maintenance of railway track structure is gained by tamping of ballast and alignment of rail tracks. Tamping and realignment of track structure is done by using Track Machines which have a high production rate. Laser Alignment Trolley is a track machine used by operators to move the laser projector required for the laser guidance system of the Tamping Track Machine. Currently, Queensland Rail (QR) have manual-push laser alignment trolley. Push trolley are inefficient and unsafe. They are slow to match the tamping machines production rate and workers are prone to injuries while working on uneven ballast surfaces.
The research and development involve review of existing work procedures and conducting a risk assessment for safety hazards and a review of the duration taken while using push trolley. After gaining the information from the existing work processes, QR policies are reviewed. The review is utilised to research and develop a lightweight remote controlled motorised trolley which complies with the Queensland Rail policy. 3D and Finite element analysis (FEA) software like inventor and Nastran has been utilised to complete a design of the trolley.
A partial prototype encompassing the motorised mechanism is produced and tested. Then a full prototype with structural and mechatronic design will be produced for QR to review and manufacture if accepted. The main scope of works of research and design of a basic remote controlled motorised trolley will be achieved by the end of this project. Future works could include adding provision of remote-controlled machines in QR policies and utilising the trolley design for other activities.
A lightweight remote controlled motorised trolley will add safety and efficiency to maintenance works. The acceptance of the design will create pathway for future track machines with remote control abilities in to QR network.
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Item Type: | USQ Project |
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Item Status: | Live Archive |
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Engineering (1 Jan 2022 -) |
Supervisors: | Lobsey, Craig |
Qualification: | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical) |
Date Deposited: | 20 Jun 2023 03:14 |
Last Modified: | 20 Jun 2023 03:14 |
Uncontrolled Keywords: | Queensland Rail; track maintenance; efficiency; safety; remote-controlled motorised laser alignment trolley |
URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/51899 |
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