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10/29/2015

PSG-Fastener: Concrete tie drill

PSG-Fastener reports that the first prototype concrete tie drill has been delivered to the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) in Atlanta. Design intent of the new drill is to be able to core out old inserts that held switch point plates that have failed. After drilling, the cored holes are filled with epoxy and new inserts are placed in the holes which hold new plates. This action allows MARTA to save time and money versus replacing switch point pads and ties.

The drill unit is self-propelled and has been designed to be a stand-alone maintenance vehicle without the need for support equipment. Besides drilling switch points, the drill can also core out old direct fixation plates that need to be replaced.

The prototype drill has been a design collaboration between MARTA's track maintenance engineering and PSG's design and engineering staff. The drill was fabricated at the PSG Fastener facility in Fort Wayne, Ind.