MATISA has developed a range of tamping solutions to suit the Australian market.
MATISA is one of the world’s leading providers of equipment and services for the rail industry. With a history dating back to 1945, the company is a pioneer in the industry, offering a comprehensive range of solutions centred around three core areas: maintenance, renewal, and construction of track networks.
The company emphasises close collaboration between engineers and designers, utilising the feedback from market managers to meet the needs of the constantly evolving rail industry.
MATISA is committed to ensuring the continuous operational availability of its machines through integrated solutions that combine cutting-edge products with comprehensive lifecycle management (LCM) services, maximising customer’s return on investment.
Managing director of MATISA Australia, Alfie Hunziker spoke about the Swiss company’s commitment to the Australian market.
“MATISA Australia Pty Ltd was established in 2018 for the purpose of assisting Australian customers with direct service,” he said. “MATISA Australia’s local technicians and engineers are factory trained and fully qualified to carry out inspections, maintenance and repairs to all OEM components, including electronics and machine control systems.”
Hunziker said MATISA has a range of machines to suit the various gauge requirements throughout Australia and the local team works closely with head office to provide feedback on specific local network requirements.
“As a key player in the development of tomorrow’s global railway systems, MATISA is renowned for providing innovative, Swiss-engineered, highly reliable machine and service solutions to ensure safe track operations,” he said.
“MATISA has been continually improving its tamping machines. One of our main focuses is reducing the complexity of machines and still offering the best quality and systems required to achieve exceptional tamping results.
“Standardisation and modularisation initiatives have substantially decreased product complexity. This has led to tangible outcomes in terms of the standardisation of parts and components across machine types.”
Hunziker explained that the company’s modular manufacturing processes allow component sharing across MATISA’s machines. This creates simplicity for those maintaining the machines, particularly when working in remote areas across Australia.
MATISA tamping machines have a lower mass than similar machines, the tamping units employ elliptical tamping with two force components instead of one.
This tamping technology achieves the most durable track geometry, which increases the time between track maintenance and increases the service life of the track, which in turn drastically reduces the carbon dioxide (CO²) footprint of the track. In addition, the elliptical tamping at 42 hertz allows for softer penetration ensuring less ballast damage and better compaction.
New Energy Optimisation
MATISA has developed the New Energy Optimisation (NEO) concept for its larger tamping machines. These machines use a combination of optimised drive systems, standby generators and solar to reduce the running time of the main engine.
These improvements reduce the fuel consumption by 15 per cent when the machine is sitting idle. The continued streamlining and standardisation of components, and better utilisation of the auxiliary generator, allow for the installation of a smaller main engine.
“MATISA is currently working to find the best suited power sources and drive systems for our track machines,” Hunziker said.
“We do not see one single path as the potential holy grail, but a more diverse and balanced approach to ensure a smooth transition from current fossil energy sources to future alternatives.
“We see our NEO concept machines as a first step towards developing machines with alternative power sources.”
Hunziker explained that the NEO concept is the result of optimising MATISA’s machines with current proven and available technologies without imposing prohibitive costs.
“Currently, the cost of fully new alternative power sources to suit tamping machines is prohibitively high,” he said. “The NEO concept is the most cost-effective approach MATISA sees at this moment.”
The machines
MATISA has a range of machines to suit the Australian market including the B 66 UC-D NEO ACTIVE, a continuous-action universal tamping machine engineered for heavy-duty turnout and plain track maintenance.
Equipped with eight individual tamping units fitted on a satellite system, it offers versatility for single or double sleeper tamping.
Designed for robustness, it excels in both turnout processing and prolonged continuous tamping of plain track.
The main engine is suited to run on hydrotreated vegetable oil fuels. Additionally, it is fully digitalised, ensuring seamless operation and enhanced efficiency.
It combines the above-mentioned NEO concept with tried and proven MATISA systems. As like all other MATISA tamping machines, the B66UC-D is equipped with MATISA’s optical measuring system NEMO. Additional measuring and recording systems can be added as required. The machine can carry out tamping, stabilisation, brushing and recording in one pass.
“We have developed a unique inertial measuring system to allow for precise track recording during or after tamping operations,” Hunziker said.
“This new unit can measure the level lining, twist and gauge of the track. The B 66 UC-D can achieve high production rates and can process a basic turnout in less than 30 minutes.”
The B35C is MATISA’s smallest tamping machine on offer. It is a newly-designed single sleeper non-continuous machine.
“Due to MATISA’s modular design and manufacturing approach, this machine is equipped with the same heavy duty tamping units that are fitted to our largest universal tamping machines,” Hunziker said.
“The lifting and lining unit has the same track lifting and slewing forces as our largest tamping machines, allowing our smallest machine to pack quite a punch. The B35C can process a basic turnout in 40 minutes. Due to its compact size and weight, the machine can be delivered with self-lifting units that allow for autonomous loading and unloading.”
The B35C is equipped with the latest Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) systems and ergonomic human-machine interface to ensure ease of use for operators.
Servicing Australia
When the decision was made in 2018 to commit to supporting the Australian rail sector, the Swiss company wanted to ensure it was prepared to meet the needs of the industry.
It established its main office in Emu Heights in New South Wales. The 480 square-metre floor space includes offices, a workshop area and storage.
The workshop is equipped with state-of-the-art tools and machinery to enable precise and timely overhaul of components and assemblies. One of the main focuses is the overhaul and testing of tamping units and other major components out of MATISA machines for the various operators throughout Australia.
“Australia has a vast rail network, it will always be challenging to maintain all track sections to a high standard,” Hunziker said.
“MATISA Australia’s technical services manager is based in Perth to allow for direct and prompt support of our customers in Western Australia. If additional or highly specialised support is required, we can mobilise these from HQ or one of our other subsidiaries.”
Hunziker said that the company’s streamlined approach to designing and manufacturing tamping machines is just one example of its commitment to empowering railway innovation with purpose.
“As we continue to push the boundaries of technology and collaboration, we invite customers to discover how MATISA can support their railway projects and operations.”
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