Automated handling of a screw coupling of freight wagons

Abstract

Based on the fact, that the screw coupling is still used in Europe for the majority of freight wagons, the
operations at marshalling yards are not state of the art. All operations must be done manually by workers called
shunters and are hard work. Some of the hardest parts are loosening the coupling and the uncoupling. Therefore
a mechanical devise shall be developed to do these tasks automatically to increase productivity and safety. To
realize this, the complete processes got analyzed and potential solutions were developed and tested. Also
Lifecycle Management and the protection of workers have to be considered during the development process.
Additionally also a sensor system is necessary to provide the required data for the control of the mechanic part.
However a working solution doesn’t exist and has to be searched and combined. The complete solution had been
tested at a laboratory model and furthermore the uncoupling will be tested at the marshalling yard in Linz on
moving rail wagons.