PBC Linear improves train driver seat assemblies

PBC Linear's Redi-Rail linear guide system and a custom slider have helped to improve the driver seat assemblies within Bay Area Rapid Transit (Bart) trains.

These high-volume/high-traffic trains employ several ways to save on space.

One such way is using positive locking seat adjusters that slide out to facilitate entry and exit.

When Bart wanted to upgrade the driver seat assemblies with new parts to ensure continued operation, it turned to C and C Enterprises, which began updating and upgrading various parts of the seat.

When it came to the linear guide adjustments, the company opted for PBC Linear's Redi-Rail along with a custom slider.

C and C then turned to PBC Linear's product engineering team to work backwards and reverse engineer the custom Redi-Rail for the seat.

The seat-adjustment application was fairly straightforward.

Utilising the custom Redi-Rail assembly, the driver could manually slide out 9in (23cm) at full extension.

The seat would then lock into position until further adjustment was necessary.

To achieve this, the previous designer created a custom dual carriage slider of its own.

While Redi-Rail provided optimal linear guidance and smooth motion for the application, PBC Linear engineers thought the custom slider assembly was too bulky and could be improved without necessitating a complete redesign.

They set to work creating a new slider.

Using a one-piece steel slider component versus the previous dual aluminium sliders, PBC Linear was able to enhance rigidity and performance.

The new slider also helped make the entire assembly more cost efficient and easier to install by eliminating a bracket connector, resulting in improved linear guidance adjustment.

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