A Dutch-based company specialising in railway traffic technology is using CKS Industrial Computers to control the main system components for its gas infra red switchpoint heating system.

Pintsch Aben's technology, besides switchpoint heating systems, includes computer-controlled level crossings. It also deals in navigation, telemetrical control systems and solar-wind powered energy systems.
CKS Holdings Ltd is a specialist human machine interface (HMI) specialist whose products include sealed ruggedised keyboards (with or without trackerballs), local operator interfaces and a range of industrial computers.
These products are designed to be used in the harshest of applications where the ability to operate accurately and reliably over long periods is critical.
The Pintsch Aben gas infra red switchpoint heating SAC system, used in conjunction with Dutch, Swiss and Russian railways, is modular structured and powered by natural gas propane.
With specially developed software, the system controls a maximum number of 10 240 burner pipes.
The main components of the system are the gasflow control cubicle and the ignition control cubicle, both connected to the controlling computer.
One gasflow control unit is installed to guard the main gas supply and the ignition control units are positioned along the track.
Hans Hendriksen, of Pintsch Aben, says: "We settled on CKS Inustrial Computers becuase they proved to be rugged and reliable enough for our very harsh application. They are installed in cubicles right next to the track - where we need the local control - and therefore we had to have an industrial PC we could rely on."
Pintsch Aben use a midi shoe box PC which functions at very low temperatures and contains a DOC so that no problems are caused by the vibration from passing trains.

CKS Holdings Ltd is based in Welwyn Garden City, Herfordshire, UK. www.cksholdings.com