How to correctly install Rail Clips?

Rail elastic clip is used to fasten the rails to the underlying base plate together with the concrete sleeper. Usually rail clips are made of forged spring steel which is produced by hot forging process. Because of the uniform microstructure of forged clips, it is considered to be better than other metal forming process.

Types of rail clip

• According to specific situation and habit, various countries adopts different standard of rail clips to apply for development of railway. Typically, the Pandrol series of rail clip is the most famous brand among rail clip types. PR- clip, E-clip are widely separated to America, Canada, India and other countries.

• In German, HM-type rail fastening system is very popular, it adopts SKL-clip. Based on the good effect, it is applied to a lot of countries and regions.

• Dutch DE type railway fastening system and FIST rail fastening system all adopt rail clips, they all have good application.

• Japan and France adopts clips as rail fastening system, Nabla rail fastening system and 102 type fastening system are hot on the market.

To install rail clips, first align them with the rail and the post, then secure them by tightening nuts or using tools to snap them into place, depending on the type of clip. For bolted clips, place the clip body on the bolts, add washers, and tighten the nuts to compress the rubber nose and achieve metal-to-metal contact before applying full torque. For snap-on clips, position the clip over the rail groove and snap it firmly into place until it clicks.

For bolted rail clips

• Prepare the clip and rail: Place the clip body over the bolt(s) with the rubber "nose" on the upper surface of the rail's bottom flange.

• Apply washers and nuts: Fit the special washer(s) over the bolts. Screw the nuts down until they contact the washers.

• Tighten the nuts (initial): Tighten the nuts gradually until the rubber "nose" is compressed and the clip's bottom surface makes full metal-to-metal contact with the support. Do not apply full torque yet.

• Adjust position (if needed): Use a hammer to tap the clip body towards the rail along the slots, ensuring it's properly aligned.

• Apply full torque: Tighten the nuts to the torque specified in the product datasheet.

As an OEM & OBM manufacturer, GNEE RAIL is capable of not only producing a wide range of internationally common types of rail clips, such as W Tension Clamp, e-Clip, Fast-Clip, SKL Tension Clamp, Nabla Blade, etc., but also customizing products tailored to our customers' specific requirements.

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