New analytics tool ensures better predictability

Mantena has developed a new application that can predict when it is time for wheel maintenance. This provides better oversight – and can save both time and money.    

The condition of train wheels is important for safety, driving characteristics, and comfort. Therefore, they must remain within certain limits to be permitted on Norwegian railways – something Mantena measures when the trains undergo regular maintenance. 

Can provide better recommendations    

If the threshold values are exceeded, the trains are prohibited from operation. This can sometimes come as a surprise if the wear has progressed faster than expected. Such situations disrupt operations with time-consuming wheel maintenance that has not been planned.   

That is why Mantena has developed a new digital tool. 

– We wanted to create a tool to predict when the threshold values are approaching, so we can detect it before it goes too far – and plan maintenance well in advance, says Torstein Aalen, mechanical engineer at Mantena.   

Together with colleagues including Katrin Hasund, they have developed an analysis tool that compiles data from the wheel measurements and presents them in a useful application. This gives Mantena's planners a good overview of which train sets and wheels are approaching the thresholds, thereby avoiding surprises.   

The useful analysis tool provides both historical data, current status, and forecasts for condition development.   

– The customer is focused on achieving the greatest possible predictability in operations, and this helps us with that, confirms Hasund.  

Will expand the scope of use

The tool is also useful for creating forecasts regarding how many wheel discs need to be ordered from the manufacturer. 

– There is currently a very long delivery time for many items, so such a tool is especially important. When we can make more accurate orders, it reduces the need for storage space and ties up less capital in our inventory, notes Aalen.   

Mantena is now working on expanding the application to also apply to brake discs, based on the same principles. 

New analytics tool ensures better predictability

Mantena has developed a new application that can predict when it is time for wheel maintenance. This provides better oversight – and can save both time and money.

Can provide better recommendations

– We wanted to create a tool to predict when the threshold values are approaching, so we can detect it before it goes too far – and plan maintenance well in advance, says Torstein Aalen, mechanical engineer at Mantena.

Will expand the scope of use

– There is currently a very long delivery time for many items, so such a tool is especially important. When we can make more accurate orders, it reduces the need for storage space and ties up less capital in our inventory, notes Aalen.

– This is a good example of how we can utilize data in a way that provides significant value for both us and the customer, the engineer points out.

Mantena has developed a new application that can predict when it is time for wheel maintenance. This provides better oversight – and can save both time and money.    

Can provide better recommendations    

– We wanted to create a tool to predict when the threshold values are approaching, so we can detect it before it goes too far – and plan maintenance well in advance, says Torstein Aalen, mechanical engineer at Mantena.   

– There is currently a very long delivery time for many items, so such a tool is especially important. When we can make more accurate orders, it reduces the need for storage space and ties up less capital in our inventory, notes Aalen.   