Hybrid Edge–Cloud-Based Smart System for Chatter Suppression in Train Wheel Repair

Abstract

The contact profile of a train wheel has a key role in its operation performance. Rolling smoothly and with reduced resistance results in an increase in the efficiency and safety of rail transport. The original shape and dimensions of the profile of the wheel are altered under operation of the train, especially due to braking events and the presence of external objects between the wheel and the railway. With the purpose of recovering the optimum contact profile, train wheels are periodically machined using special lathes. This repair operation is particularly critical in freight trains, which are only reshaped a few times throughout their service life and, therefore, high depths of cut are required to recover the wheel in a productive way. As the presence of chatter vibrations limits the productivity of these operations, a hybrid edge–cloud computing approach has been developed for chatter vibration suppression. An expert system based on automatic chatter detection and suppression has been developed in the edge. The expert system is based on continuous real-time vibration monitoring and combines continuous spindle speed variation (CSSV) and cutting speed reduction to suppress chatter. Cloud computing is used to extract wheel profile machining fingerprints and obtain insights from multiple aggregated machined wheels. An industrial implementation of the system is described in the present work.