Angel Trains is one of the UK's leading train rental experts. On December 11, 2018, the company partnered with engineering consultancy ESG Rail and 3D printing technology provider Stratasys to use 3D printing to produce four interior parts on trains.
Parts approved for repair include armrests and seat backrests. All parts are 3D printed using Stratasys' track-certified thermoplastic materials and fused deposition molding (FDM) technology.
Traditionally, the standard thermoplastics used for these components have poor mechanical and fire resistance properties and are therefore unsuitable for rolling stock applications. New high-performance materials used today, including PEKK-based thermoplastic Stratasys Antero 800 NA, meet the requirements of the Rail standard EN45545-2. These components have undergone a structural evaluation of ESG Rail and will soon begin in-service passenger trials, which are expected to continue into the summer of 2019.
FDM 3D printed parts (from left to right): electrical connection cover, grip handle, armrest and seat backrest
3D printed seat back table (front) and original seat back table (back)
The purpose of this cooperation is to use additive manufacturing to help solve outdated parts, reduce the cost of maintaining the life of the vehicle, and enable the vehicle to provide passenger service for a long time. This innovation also has the additional potential to reduce the costs of train operating companies, because they can produce running parts on demand instead of mass production.
Commenting on this announcement, Mark Hicks, technical director of Angel Trains, said: "This exciting industry partnership has the potential to transform the rail industry's manufacturing industry. We are proud to drive this innovation through ESG Rail and Stratasys, and hope this Solutions can help the industry break away from technological constraints and allow our trains to continue to meet the needs of today and tomorrow's passengers. "