3D printed parts for replacement of obsolete parts on older trains

[whole diary]

[grahame]

FromBusiness Live

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

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.

[MVR S&T]

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.

[grahame]

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!