Mobile working platforms in use: safe, fast, accurate to the millimetre

When larger rail vehicles such as double-decker wagons entered the workshop of Deutsche Bahn Kiel, a lot of time used to be allowed for maintenance and cleaning. Rolling scaffolds and ladders were still used to climb up and down the sides and fronts of the large vehicles: Every few metres the climbing equipment was repositioned - a lot of unproductive changeover time. Now DB uses a modern working platform from MUNK Günzburger Steigtechnik that can be moved along the train and is electrically adjustable with millimetre precision. "Maintenance is now safer and much more flexible - and we reduce the time by around 30 percent," the workshop management is convinced.

The trains enter the maintenance depot and come to a standstill inside the working platform. Then the maintenance work proceeds "fluently", changeovers are no longer necessary. Until recently, rolling scaffolds or ladders were used for maintenance work. "That was time-consuming: The frequent changeovers resulted in long downtimes for the double-decker coaches. And every minute of downtime is expensive, because money can only be earned when the trains are in operation," says the workshop manager happily. "We are fully convinced of the new, electrically adjustable working platform. Everything goes about 30 per cent faster, the millimetre-precise control makes the work more precise. And the platform is also a big step forward in terms of work safety."

The platform has a large working platform on both sides of the train - from here it is controlled via an easy-to-operate control panel. The rail-guided platform can be moved as far as desired along the train if (for safety reasons) maintenance personnel are on both platforms. Each side is electrically individually height-adjustable, allowing precise and fast positioning.

There are also no more dangerous gaps between the train and the edge of the platform. This is because the platform glides exactly up to the working area at the push of a button. A flexible rubber bumper edge prevents scratches on the vehicle. "The contact strip registers when the vehicle envelope is reached and then stops automatically with 'gap dimension zero'. This feature is particularly important when working at height, for example on the air conditioning units in the roof area. The platform is then fully raised on both sides, the contact strips close and a safe, all-round protected roof working position is created," explains the workshop manager. All-round railings with foot and knee rails and an anti-slip surface on the platforms minimise the risk of falling. The access steps are equipped with self-closing safety doors.

Maintenance personnel can also precisely adjust the working height of the platform at the control panel. A lockable main switch protects against unauthorised access. Integrated into the switch consoles of the platforms on both sides of the train are also several power connections for the maintenance team's work equipment - making connection problems and extension cables a thing of the past.

"Another highlight that significantly simplifies our work is the additional hook-in front platform. This is uncomplicated to mount and can then be controlled via the side platforms - so work is also possible at the front in addition to the sides."

MUNK Günzburger Steigtechnik has many years of experience in the development, production and assembly of mobile platform constructions. The components are pre-assembled - so the construction can be erected and put into operation at the customer's site in a short time.