Columbus McKinnon, supplier of depot M&P to Metro and Railways in India

Columbus McKinnon Engineered Products, a technology leader in components and system solutions for motion control and lifting technology, is one of the major suppliers of depot M&P to Metro and Railways in India. Whether it’s India’s first 2 car Pit jack system back in 2003 or again a first 6 car Pit jack system in 2009 to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Columbus McKinnon Engineered Products, through its brand Pfaff-Silberblau, continues to lead the aspect of safety and innovation in Indian Metro and Rail segment.

Columbus McKinnon Engineered Products supplied India’s first 8 car Synchronized Pit jack system to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Badli depot in 2021. The system is commissioned to handle a train length of up to 200 Mtr and a weight of 384 Tons. The system is synchronized using VFD and a fail-safe PLC that does control, interlock function and monitoring of the jacks in a range of ± 5 mm, which allows simple user interface and provision of modification/expansion in future control. Inverter or VFD in the design ensures smoother operation and energy conservation through its ramp up and ramp down feature

The control mechanism of the system is designed through a master control incorporating the fail-safe PLC unit and a local control in each pit incorporating corresponding local PLC module to monitor, execute and operate the group mode as well as individual mode of the system effectively and safely. This gives flexibility to the user regarding the operation.

The system consisting of bogie lifting unit for static and dynamic load and a body stand unit for the static load. The screws of the lifting unit at both, Bogie lifter and Body stand is supported by spherical roller bearings in order to avoid tension force on the screw. This is crucial to ensure both, to avoid breakdown and a longer life of the system. A solid bronze carrying nut and safety nut ensure that screws are held together safely for the operation.

While the bogie lifter unit is designed to lift to a maximum height of 1.8 mtr, body stand can lift upto 2.7 mtr. The system is run using two equally rated motors and is designed for redundancy in such a way that even in case of a motor failure, another motor can lower the system safely back on the tracks.

Commissioned back in 2022, the system is a landmark installation for India’s growing metro and rail market. Columbus McKinnon Engineered Products, along with its Indian counterpart STAHL CraneSystems India Private Limited, is committed to serve the Indian Metro and Rail market under Make in India.