Taranenko S. Improvement the technologies and constructions of switches and frogs production in the Ukraine

Subject of research:switches and frogs. Aim of research: improving production technologies and switch structures and their construction parts aimed at increasing their reliability and service life in the railway track. Methods of research: theoretical calculations, field investigations, mathematical simulating. Research equipment: standard measuring tools, standard equipment for defining mechanical properties of metal, optical equipment for exploring metal structure, computer. Main theoretical results: scientific and technical principles for improving production processes for switches and ftogs and their construction parts are developed; fundamentals of a new technology for increase of rolling surface hardness on switch frogs and frogs cores by electrichydroimpulse treatment are developed; methods of forecasting service life for switches are improved.Main practical results:New improved processes have been implemented or are being implemented in producing switches at Dnipropetrovsk Switch Plant. The new strengthening technology has been used in producing experimental samples of frogs cores; results of calculating prognostic standard service life terms of frogs and switches have been used in planning repair track maintenance works at Prydneprovska Railway.Novelty of developments is in working out concrete solutions on improving switch production processes, developing fundamental principles of the new technology on strengthening rolling surface of casted cores and frogs, improving forecast methods for switch and frogs service life terms. Level of implementation: some results of the work have been implemented in manufacture, others are being planned to be implemented. Sphere of applying: Ukrainian Railways.