Railway Track & Structures 12/07

Handy by Mischa Wanek-Libman, assistant editor fix O verall, 2007 has been a strong year for hand-held tool manufacturers. Safety continues to be the top market concern and trends, including smaller size, lighter weight, customization and battery power, are pushing the development of innovative new products. Safety still Priority Number One with hand-held tool manufacturers. Cembre Cembre Inc. introduced two handheld products to the market. The Cembre B54Y is a six-ton in-line crimping tool and the Cembre B15Y is a battery-operated crimper for terminals and small lugs. “The [B54Y] leads all others with an estimated 140 crimps per charge on 4/04/0,” said Chris Drew, North American sales manager at Cembre. “[The tool is] offered with three interchangeable crimping jaws and compatibility to seven types of crimping dies. This tool is extremely versatile, while continuing to be compact and lightweight.” The B54Y’s in-line shape allows better handling and balance for greater control and one-hand use. The crimping jaws rotate 180 degrees for ease of operation in confined spaces. According to Drew, the automatic return of the jaws after completion of the full crimp cycle can be stopped at any time to ease positioning and save battery life. The B15Y gets 400 crimps per charge on 10 awg insulated terminals and 320 crimps on eight awg copper tube lugs. 28 Railway Track & Structures The B15Y is offered with 11 interchangeable crimping dies and, according to Drew, is ideal with signaling departments on control panels. Drew points to the B15Y’s in-line shape and sculptured body for better handling and optimum comfort. The tool is fitted with a max pressure valve, while the crimping head rotates 340 degrees and the crimping jaws automatically return after completion of the crimp. Cembre’s NR-11P Impact Wrench provides a patented system for greater torque up to 1,327 foot-pounds. Drew notes that the two-cycle tool is ideal for railroads and is easy to carry, easy to use and can be employed portably in vertical or horizontal positions while working on lag screws and track bolts. “This structure facilitates a comfortable dorso-lumbar operating position to prevent wrist injuries. In addition, reduced dimensions allow for more convenient positioning while used in the horizontal position while working on track bolts, even when operating across sleepers. The anti-vibration couplings reduce transition of vibration to the operator,” said Drew. The NR-11P is ergonomically designed with a protective supporting structure, which protects the tool and allows the operator to apply the trigger vertically or horizontally during applications out in the field. Cembre has also created a way of retaining the socket on the shaft of the impact wrench with retaining circlips to fasten the sockets to the mandrel. “As a manufacturer it is our responsibility to understand our customer and the market to offer the most reliable and costeffective solutions,” said Drew. “The industry seems to be moving toward battery-operated and in-line-style tools. These both help the operator prevent injuries and allow operators to work faster and longer while out in the field.” ERICO® According to ERICO® Inc., a key element in rail bond connections is rail preparation and its line of grinders is designed to assist in this preparation. The company recently improved its Portable Rail Grinder to be, what the company calls, a well-balanced, lightweight tool for easier use and handling. The grinder has a 39cc two-cycle engine with a maximum wheel speed of 6,000 rpm that is 10 percent larger than ERICO’s previous model. Other improvements include an adjustable tool rest, the ability to grind the head and web with one grinder, an antivibration handle, stronger shaft, increased grinding wheel stability, grinding wheel spacers and an adjustable grinding wheel guard that rotates 360 degrees for Modern Track Machinery’s MTZ 350 rail saw in action. www.rtands.com December 2007 http://www.rtands.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Railway Track & Structures 12/07

Railway Track & Structures - December 2007 Contents On Track Industry Today Supplier News AREMA News NRC News TTCI R&D Hand-Held Tools Provide the Power to Get Big Jobs Done AREMA C&S Update Striving to Solve the Riddle of Wheel Climb RTA Stages Warm Gathering in Sunny Florida in October Products and Literature People Calendar Website Directory Advertisers Index Sales Representatives Professional Directory Classified Advertising Chicago Perspective

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