China3D printingNet, June 25, Stratasys has become an increasingly important player in an increasingly important field: 3D printed spare parts for transportation. As companies and municipalities turn to additive manufacturing (AM) to produce replacement parts for their trains, buses, and trams, Stratasys’ Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) has generally become the tool of choice for rapid manufacturing of durable parts. The latest adopter is Alstom, a French multinational railway manufacturer that is 3D printing spare parts for Sétif Tramways in Algeria.
When Sétif learned that the headlights of its tram had been damaged by stagnant water and small rocks entering small cracks, it turned to Alstom to provide spare parts to repair the small holes.The company has an in-house 3D printing center that can be used for production3D printingRubber drain plug.
Aurélien Fussel, Alstom Additive Manufacturing Project Manager, explains: “The agility that 3D printing provides us is essential to Alstom’s strategic business. Our customers rely on spare parts to maintain operations. Internal production capacity means that we can bypass our traditional supply chain and respond quickly and cost-effectively by addressing their needs.”
3D printed TPU plug. Image courtesy of Stratasys.
Using the Stratasys F370 3D printer based on its foundation, the company was able to 3D print items in as little as 48 hours, shortening the original delivery time of 45 days. The partners also estimated that the 3D printed parts “provided Sétif additional savings in the form of an 80% reduction in fixed costs. The project saved Sétif a total of approximately 6,000 euros in fixed costs.
We avoid the minimum three-week production lead time that traditional manufacturing methods usually require, and ensure that the operation of the tram network is minimized,” Fussel said. “For our transportation customers like Sétif, every time in the network is One-minute lead time means loss of revenue, so we can win back every minute when solving maintenance problems, thereby reducing losses. “
Alstom emphasized that the materials provided by Stratasys were critical to the project. The company used FDM TPU 92A, which is a durable elastomer that provides the necessary flexibility and elasticity, while also having abrasion resistance and tear resistance. Therefore, according to the company, the rubber drain plug is still in use.
Sétif Tramways. Image courtesy of Stratasys.
Alstom’s revenue in 2018 was 8.1 billion euros and it is a major player in the railway industry. Previously, this multinational company was also more important in the energy sector, but sold its assets to GE Wind to form a joint venture company. At the same time, the company continues to use railways as its current main business development. Although it failed to complete the merger with Siemens Transportation, the company is said to take over China Railways, but it is finalizing trains for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. This is the only high-speed rail (HSR) in the United States, although its average speed is different from other countries.
In addition to producing high-speed trains (such as TGV high-speed trains) in France, it also produces train sets for the London Underground system and trams in approximately 28 cities around the world. In January 2021, it acquired Bombardier Transportation of Canada, making it one of the largest companies in the manufacturing and service of rail vehicles and equipment. Its work in Algeria witnessed the delivery of 26 Citadis trams by this multinational company to build the first public tram in Setif.
By expanding its influence in the railway and replacement parts sector, Stratasys has further consolidated its position in the growing field. Probably thanks in part to the company’s membership in the Mobility Goes Additive Alliance, the company is being deployed by various transportation agencies to produce on-demand spare parts. For example, Siemens Mobility uses FDM for train maintenance in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Russia. In Italy, the Naples public transport company Azienda Napoletana Mobilità relies on Stratasys to repair its trolleybuses.
China3D printingNet Comments: Therefore, although aerospace and automobiles may generate the most Internet clicks, 3D printing in public transportation and railways is growing rapidly. Many current projects involve the use of additive manufacturing to replace components, but as Wabtec demonstrated, it will increasingly be used to produce end parts. Moreover, as the United States shifts to electric transportation, railroads will become more and more dependent, and now is a good time to introduce 3D printing to the industry.
China3D printingnetCompile the article
(Editor in charge: admin)
0 Comments for “Alstom uses Stratasys technology to 3D print tram parts”