WHEEL AND AXLE ASSEMBLY
This is the part of a rake which is just adjacent to the tracks. It basically consists of four main parts.
a) Wheel b) Axle c) Bearing and Housing
WHEEL
Wheel of a rake is a specifically made cylindrical portion having an outer edge shape to fit in the railway track. The material is stainless steel.
AXLE
Axle is the main long cylindrical bar on which wheels are fixed with the help of bearings. This is also made of stainless steel as above. Each axle contains 2 wheels, the brake cylinders are also attached to it and in case of LHB coaches, the braking discs are fixed on to the axle.
A taper roller cartridge type bearing is used and it makes up a preassembled unit. The axle bearings on the bogie are fitted with sensors for detecting speed (whose signal is elaborated by the anti slipping system) and a current return device.The ends of the control arms are fitted with centering devices for the primary suspension spring assembly. The bearing lubricating plug is fitted in the lower part