Flash-butt rail welding by the Plasser & Theurer APT 1500 R welding robot - its fully automated work sequences achieve high-quality welds (Part 1 of 2)

摘要

From a qualitative point of view, it is desirable to produce continuous welded rail (CWR) track using the flash-butt welding process for all welds to be performed. Since the introduction of the Plasser & Theurer APT 1500 R welding robot in 2011, it has been possible to perform in-track flash-butt rail welding, including temperature-related tension compensation of rail sections (closure welds) without the need for a separate rail pulling device, as it has one that is integrated in its welding head; only welds in turnout areas have remained excluded from this process. This article, which is the first of a two-part article, looks at how the APT 1500 R welding robot meets the high quality demands for mobile flash-butt rail welding.