News Release

Scientists help tube firms to get in the right gear

Business Announcement

National Physical Laboratory

London Underground

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NPL has been working for two years to validate the geometry of final drive gear cases used on stock tube trains which are undergoing modification.

NPL conducted an independent calibration of the geometry of modified gear casings to find out whether they were actually within the required tolerance.

Over the next 18 months NPL will be measuring sample gear cases every three months to check the geometry of the gear cases to ensure that they remain within tolerance.

David Flack of NPL's Engineering Measurement team said:

"The world-class expertise of the researchers at NPL alongside the cutting edge equipment that we have access to, ensures that we can provide the innovative engineering measurement methods that are essential to industry in the UK. The specialists at NPL carried out measurements of key dimensions and geometrical deviations on the final drive gear cases using one of the laboratory's co-ordinate measuring machines."

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Further information
Joe Meaney, 0845 680 1864 joe@proofcommunication.com

Notes to Editors

National Physical Laboratory

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is one of the UK's leading science facilities and research centres. It is a world-leading centre of excellence in developing and applying the most accurate standards, science and technology available.

NPL occupies a unique position as the UK's National Measurement Institute and sits at the intersection between scientific discovery and real world application. Its expertise and original research have underpinned quality of life, innovation and competitiveness for UK citizens and business for more than a century:

NPL provides companies with access to world leading support and technical expertise, inspiring the absolute confidence required to realise competitive advantage from new materials, techniques and technologies

NPL expertise and services are crucial in a wide range of social applications - helping to save lives, protect the environment and enable citizens to feel safe and secure. Support in areas such as the development of advanced medical treatments and environmental monitoring helps secure a better quality of life for all

NPL develops and maintains the nation's primary measurement standards, supporting an infrastructure of traceable measurement throughout the UK and the world, to ensure accuracy and consistency.


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