Germany’s Fraunhofer company has developed a 3D printed Sensetrain AI sensor system for train maintenance

On November 6, 2021, researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) are developing a3D printingThe sensor system can realize thetrainIntelligent maintenance of components.In federal economic affairs andenergyMinistry of fundingFundingNext, ILT and industry partners are trying to develop a sensor system driven by artificial intelligence (AI)-SenseTrAIn, which can wirelessly and continuously monitor3D printingThe condition of the part. The application prospects of this sensor integration technology are broad, including train door mechanisms, primary and yaw dampers, and wheel bearing caps. The ultimate goal of this artificial intelligence-driven sensor system is that if a train component needs to be replaced or repaired, it will signal when and where the problem occurs.

△existFormnextAt the 2021 exhibition, Fraunhofer ILT will demonstrate the possibility of sensor integration using LPBF printed demonstrators and printed measurement grids including conductors. Photo from Fraunhofer ILT.

Monitoring railway components with SenseTrAIn

SenseTrAIn is an efficient and intelligent method to monitor whether the safety functions of related components in railway engineering are complete, such as train doors and chassis components.Industry partners working with Fraunhofer ILT on the project include ME-Meßsysteme, a component-integrated sensor developer, DATAbility, a predictive system developer, and transportation
software
Created by Vedisys.
These partners began to implement the project in September and will be committed to the development and optimization of SenseTrAIn by 2024. The project is carried out at DB Systemtechnik, the largest railway technology center in Europe, and hopes to set the direction for the intelligent maintenance of the European railway network.
In the end, the collaborative project hopes to develop a comprehensive approach, from sensor technology to Deutsche Bahn’s SAP system report, to the integration of sensors3D printingThe condition of the components is monitored wirelessly and continuously.

An example of this is that in the future, sensors on train chassis and doors can communicate with Deutsche Bahn’s SAP system via 5G and report defects before they occur.Defective railway components can cause delays in operation and cause inconvenience to passengers. However, it is neither ecological nor economical to replace components that are still in working condition within strict maintenance intervals. SenseTrAIn project partners hope to solve these problems through its novel artificial intelligence-driven sensor integration technology.

△AM brake calipers with integrated sensors that measure braking force and temperature. Photo from Fraunhofer ILT.

Sensor integrated3D printing

The partner in charge of this project is using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF)3D printingTechnology to manufacture sensor-embedded components. LPBF can integrate electronic components such as sensors and actuators into metal parts by suspending the printing process at a specific point, setting up sensors in the part, and then continuing.

It is identified as a SenseTrAIN potential bearing clamp, which can seal the wheel set bearing housing. From a maintenance point of view, the wheel bearing cover is a key component, because the increase in load will cause the temperature to rise, and the risk of wear is greater. With SenseTrAIn, the parts used on the lid, including door devices, primary and yaw dampers, as well as wheel temperature and acceleration sensors, can detect hot runners and their causes at an early stage.

In order to ensure the success of the project, Fraunhofer researchers have determined that a large and effective database is needed to optimize the AI-sensor combination. ILT scientists are using Trainlab from Deutsche Bahn to test new sensor technologies under realistic daily conditions. The information collected from the test will be used to train the artificial intelligence, and then the partners will begin to test the system in daily operations.

Fraunhofer ILT will showcase their sensor integration technology capabilities at the Formnext trade show this month.The team will show a3D printingDemonstrator, which has a printed measurement grid, including conductors, to illustrate the possibilities of SenseTrAIn in terms of maintenance and monitoring.

△Google’s Jacquard device is placed on a denim sleeve. Picture from Stratasys.

With sensor3D printing

Researchers and industry professionals are increasingly using3D printingTo improve and optimize the application of sensor integration.
A particularly popular application of this technology is wearable electronic sensors, such as Google’s “Jacquard” tag, which can be attached to daily necessities to make it sport-sensitive. Google’s ATAP division uses Stratasys’ PolyJet3D printingTechnology to make a prototype of the label, so that its wearer can control their mobile phone through certain gestures.

3D printingIt is also used to produce other wearable technologies, such as piezoelectric-driven electronics, as well as “smart beds” for sleep monitoring, drones with embedded sensors, and hydration sensors for remote crop monitoring.

(Editor in charge: admin)

Germany’s Fraunhofer company has developed a 3D printed Sensetrain AI sensor system for train maintenance

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