Micro-Scale, High-Accuracy, Photogrammetry Equipment (MSHAPE)

ADA Technologies is proposing to develop a novel and unique system, called MSHAPE, to inspect railroad wheels in extremely fine geometric detail. This portable system, based on off-the-shelf components, will provide manufacturers, operators, maintainers and authorities ultra-high-accuracy measurements (better than .0005”) that will be used to assess the compliance of wheels with strict regulatory and industry standards. Non-compliance will initiate a repair procedure (such as reprofiling) to bring the wheel back to within specifications. The proposed technology leverages a current Phase II effort combining metrology-grade inspection and automation. The handheld MSHAPE system will generate rapid and exceptionally accurate inspection of railroad wheels and detailed data reports. The detailed wheel data output will be used to create an extraordinarily fine digital 3-D model that will compare the as-measured wheel to safe geometry requirements. In Phase I, ADA will build a proof-of-concept MSHAPE prototype and demonstrate its accuracy on a standard object and a used railroad wheel. Project partners include local small businesses Advanced Coordinate Technology (ACT, a precision measurement company) and Tacuna Systems (custom electronics supplier).