The PIOMALDS 80 locomotive, a joint project of Institute of Mining Technology KOMAG and Pioma, a FAMUR Group company, was awarded Gold Medal in the category “Transfer of scientific research results into business” for the innovative solution of drive carriage of track locomotive at the Poznań International fair, in June 2010. Main innovative features of the awarded solution include separation of the drive of the left and right wheels, together with application of hydraulic motor which guarantees adjustment of the rotational speed of wheels at the rail turnings without the need to apply a differential gear.

PIOMALDS 80 also ensures the self-alignment of the gear in relation to the body in order to keep proper adherence of the wheels to the rail in case of its vertical irregularities, without the application of the separate rockers. Braking is improved with the application of the effective multidisc brakes directly at the rotation axis of the wheel – compared to the typical brake system where the brake shoe is pressing at the rail.

Structural solutions have been made transparent while the application of the innovative carriages in PIOMALDS 80 locomotive and the construction itself allows the vehicle to move along the track arc. The three part body of the locomotive is equipped in drive carriage and manages to drive along the arc of the track very smoothly without the tendency to skid and derail of the track – the locomotive in its classical version shows such tendencies.

The PIOMALDS 80 locomotive was certified according to WE type examination and complies with the UE Directive 94/9/WE-ATEX and with the regulations described in Attachment No 1 98/37/ECUE Directive. The Poznań International Fair is the biggest industrial fair in Poland. Over 13, 000 exhibitors, including about 3,000 foreign companies from 70 countries of the world, participate in 80 trade fair events organized on the grounds of the Poznań fair.

The primary area of FAMUR’s operations is manufacturing of automated longwall systems enabling the exploitation of coal seams even under the toughest geo-mining conditions. The FAMUR Group also specialises in designing and manufacturing a wide range of equipment for the underground mines and open pits as well as bulk material handling equipment and the machines for coal preparation plants.

For more information on the FAMUR Group, please visit www.famur.com.pl