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Title: 3D printed parts for replacement of obsolete parts on older trains Post by: grahame on October 02, 2019, 07:01:38 FromBusiness Live (https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/derby-rail-firms-pioneer-use-17011616)
Quote Two firms have joined forces with 3D printing firm Stratasys and train operator Chiltern Railways, to trial 3D printed passenger armrests and grab handles. The aim of the trial is to demonstrate how 3D printing can help train operators accelerate the replacement of obsolete parts, helping them to get trains back into service quicker. Unlike the automotive industry, where vehicles from household brands are mass produced in their millions each year, the number of fleets in the rail industry are comparatively very small and, in some cases, over 30 years old. Initial work with Chiltern ... then Quote With positive responses received from train operators, the consortium is also set to start a trial with Great Western Railway, which plans to integrate 3D printed parts within a selection of trains over the next few months. Title: Re: 3D printed parts for replacement of obsolete parts on older trains Post by: MVR S&T on October 02, 2019, 23:50:16 Making real things, from a computer program is not new, it is still, and has been for at least my working life of 30 years, it is called CNC milling, other names are about, Computer Numerical Control. yes 3D printing can make metal parts too, Airbus and Rollls Royce pehaps use this.
Title: Re: 3D printed parts for replacement of obsolete parts on older trains Post by: grahame on October 03, 2019, 06:11:13 Making real things, from a computer program is not new, it is still, and has been for at least my working life of 30 years, it is called CNC milling, other names are about, Computer Numerical Control. yes 3D printing can make metal parts too, Airbus and Rollls Royce pehaps use this. Very true, though CNC cuts out the required piece from a larger block rather than building it up in layers. I have not studied the more modern 3D printing, but with CNC there were / are physical limits as to what shapes could be produced due to the physical access from the tools. Looking way back, I was involved with some early computer programming - cutting out aerofoil section moulds for ceramic inserts to shape turbine blade cooling chambers. The maths of producing the final shape, and to the correct tolerances, with a round nosed tool travelling up and down still makes my head hurt! This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |