Hitachi Rail has announced a new collaboration with ROBOZE as it explores pioneering additive technology for railway spare parts.
ROBOZE ARGO 500 technology enables advanced 3D printing of railway spare parts, improving efficiency and delivery times while lowering costs. It also represents a step towards greater sustainability and innovation in the transport industry.
The solution enables Hitachi Rail to begin 3D printing using materials such as ULTEM 9085 and Carbon PEEK in the production of spare parts for its trains.
The railway industry faces regular challenges concerning availability and costs associated with spare parts and Hitachi Rail has chosen to explore a new faster, cheaper and more cost-effective production method than traditional machining methods.
Luca D’Aquila, COO Hitachi Rail Group and CEO Hitachi Rail Italy, said: “The partnership will enable us to harness 3D printing to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs for producing prototypes and railway spare parts.”
The collaboration between Hitachi Rail and ROBOZE will also extend beyond the supply of machines to engineering and consulting provided by ROBOZE to Hitachi’s teams in both the US and Italy.
Hitachi Rail will soon open a new state-of-the-art rolling stock factory in Washington County, Maryland. The $70 million factory will deliver a new fleet of 8000-series cars for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) as its first order, and will be Hitachi’s most advanced digital site.
Image credit: Hitachi Rail
