More than 1100 red and blue LEDs (light emitting diode) make even the smallest faults in rail surfaces visible. The DIRIS optical surface inspection system with state-of-the-art LED technology makes visible what until now has remained hidden from the eye of the observer.

The rising quality standards for railway tracks demand a 100% inspection for faults and dimensional stability. NEXTSENSE has developed the necessary technology and methods to accomplish this. Recently, the second system based on the new technology was delivered and put into operation for the world's largest steel producer ArcelorMittal.

Leading railway manufacturers rely on NEXTSENSE inspection systems
The fully automatic detection of faults on the rail is what makes the system stand out. This is achieved by scanning and digitally processing the entire rail surface with a resolution of a few tenths of a millimeter. For each rail, the system produces several gigabytes of image data, which a computer cluster analyzes within just a few seconds. In this way, severe defects in the material, such as cracks or breakouts, can be found quickly and reliably. In addition, the system can recognize and inspect defects on the surface with special optical character recognition (OCR) software.

Alongside surface inspection, NEXTSENSE also offers systems for fully automatic geometry measurements of the cross section and flatness of rails and other rolled products. Customers can choose from stationary systems as well as the globally unique Calipri mobile measurement device.

NEXTSENSE Mess- und Prüfsysteme GmbHNEXTSENSE is a high-tech start-up company offering innovative solutions for measurement and inspection technology in the fast growing market of optical sensor technology. NEXTSENSE GmbH develops, produces and markets mobile laser-based profile measurement equipment, as well as customer-specific system solutions for clients from different sectors. Apart from many well-known railway operators and suppliers (including DB, ÖBB, SBB, NedTrain, TrenItalia, Siemens, Stadler, Bombardier, etc.), NEXTSENSE's customers also include automotive and steel manufacturers such as Magna Steyr, Daimler, voestalpine and Mittal-Steel. The ISO-9001:2008 certified company is a spin-off of a large, well-known Austrian research company and currently employs 15 people at its Graz location.