It goes without saying that rail vehicle brakes should "bite correctly". But what happens if the brake inadvertently blocks the wheels? The vehicle "slides" along the rail, leading to damage to the wheels due to wheel flats. Wear on the vehicle and rail increases, and unpleasant running noises are created which are inconvenient for passengers and residents close to railway lines alike.
This is where the wheel slide protection device from Selectron comes into play. Automatic adjustment of wheel slip prevents blocking of the wheels or wheelsets, minimizing the braking distance as well as optimizing consumption of braking energy. This means there is no need for expensive repairs to deal with the wear.

CPU 731-TG and CDT 731-TG modules with speed acquisition, evaluation and control as well as integration into the train control and management system have been undergoing vehicle trials for several weeks now. SIL-2 certification is in progress with TÜV-Nord (Germany).

Ethernet – A new LAN trend in rail vehicles
A powerful network spine is required for tasks such as acquiring and displaying diagnostic data, fault messages, accessing monitoring cameras, communicating with the control center, e-mail/Internet traffic, passenger information, displaying the remaining journey time, audiovisual entertainment, seat reservations and many more besides. The data networks established in today's rail vehicles are no longer sufficient for all of these applications in terms of bandwidth and data transfer rates. Here, Selectron is offering a solution with Ethernet technology within the scope of existing technology (CAN, MVB, etc.). Intelligent Ethernet switches and integration of the new vehicle controller (type CPU 831-T*) in a higher-level Ethernet LAN represent a ground-breaking departure. These new network components are suitable for railway use (EN 50155).
It goes without saying that the existing train control and management system can be integrated in the new Selectron concept. We look forward to showing you more at the InnoTrans 2008.

* Described in Newsletter 1/2008

We are proud that Bombardier Transportation and Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd (CRC) is commissioning ART (Advanced Rapid Transit) trains in Beijing with Selectron products for its control system TCMS. The driverless train will operate automatically in the 28-km airport line connecting Dongzhimen Station to Beijing Capital International Airport since the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

Press report: Changchun Railway Vehicles (CRC) will manufacture the 40 ART MK II vehicles. The fleet will serve four different stations: Dongzhimen, Sanyuanqiao, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Passengers will be able to interchange trains conveniently at the Dongzhimen and Sanyuanqiao Stations, where connections to the 2008 Olympic Village will be available. A special lounge at the Dongzhimen Station will allow passengers to initiate flight-boarding procedures before arriving at the airport. The line will be operated by Beijing Dongzhimen Airport Express Rail Co., Ltd.

This is the result of cooperation with Bombardier-T Canada, USA and Mexico and the machine builder CRC in Changchun for the CANopen-based main control systems, as well as the cooperation with Changchun Car Company Industry Co., Appliance Factory (CCCIAF) for the HVAC control cabinet as a supplier to CRC. CCCIAF adopted Selectron’s PLC with CANopen interface as HVAC controller and was in this way able to secure proper programming and commissioning by its own.

Prior to this project, Selectron has been involved in other complementary projects such as the 70% Low-floor Tram build by CRC for Changchun Light Rail with the collaboration of Nanjing Huashi Electronic Scientific Co., Ltd who acted as TCMS system integrator.

Your new contact
Nadine Gueisbühler has been a customer care sales assistant since June 1, 2008. She is looking forward to using her language skills acquired during various foreign visits, and serving you in German, French, English and Spanish.

Nicole Osterwalder, the predecessor of Nadine Gueisbühler, has taken over new duties in the Marketing department of Schneider Electric in Ittigen.

Nadine Gueisbühler's direct phone line is +41 32 387 62 47 and her e-mail address is nadine.gueisbuehler@selectron.ch.

Reinforcement in the R&D area
Recently, our Software Development department welcomed a new colleague: He has extensive experience in programming close to the hardware and, in his previous job in Germany, bore overall responsibility for software development projects in the area of safety products for the automotive industry such as fuel cells and battery management systems.

Also, there is another new colleague in Hardware Development, someone who can look back on ten years of experience. Previously, he worked in the western Switzerland branch of a well known French group involved in the development of vehicles with alternative, non-mineral oil fuels.

Bike to work
Selectron is taking part in Switzerland's nationwide "bike to work" campaign organised by PRO VELO Switzerland.

www.biketowork.ch

Four teams with a total of 16 employees are renouncing the car for at least half of their personal working days from 1 – 30 June 2008. Instead, they will be cycling to work or using a combination of the bicycle and public transport.

We are convinced that cycling is worthwhile and that "bike to work" will make staff members fitter and healthier. It remains to be hoped that the summer weather will show its sunny side for pleasant cycling throughout the campaign!

For the sixth time now, Selectron took part in the companies' and people’s race in this year's Tour de Berne. More that 726 cycling fans crossed the finish line in the various categories on Saturday, May 3. The weather was pleasant and sunny, and the Selectron team achieved a highly creditable 6th place in the "Race" category after the new 33.95 km course that included a hill climb. The Selectron team in the "People" category (no hill climb) finished magnificently in 5th place. We would like to congratulate both teams for this excellent performance!

Are you interested in a Selectron cycling outfit? Then please get in touch with your responsible contact
(François Brander, Pascal Moser, Steffen Piethold, ChangZhen-Clark Guo).

From September 23 to 26, the "great and the good" of the rail vehicle industry will be gathering in Berlin for the InnoTrans 2008. For years, this event has represented the showcase for manufacturers and operators of railway technology to present new technologies and current innovations. The trade show is regarded as the bellweather for the future of the sector.

Selectron is increasing its presence with a trade show stand that is once again larger than 2006. Under the slogan "Efficiency in Train Automation & Communication Solutions", approaches will be presented, concentrating on wheel slide protection and skid control, data communication between the vehicle and infrastructure, various train bus / vehicle bus systems, new Ethernet technology and solutions with communication interfaces to the train personnel. Attention is centred on the system approach including software.

Would you like to arrange an appointment with a specialist of your choice or a member of the Board of Management?
Then please send your requested appointment details with the contact you would like to meet, to the following e-mail address: innotrans@selectron.ch. We will coordinate the appointment requests we receive and inform you in due course.

23-26 September 2008