Brake experts focus on acceleration Knorr-Bremse opts for networked, modular engineering with Aucotec

Knorr-Bremse, the world market leader for braking systems and other systems for rail and commercial vehicles, is modernizing its systems engineering – and is putting its faith in the Engineering Base (EB) platform from Aucotec.

Brake systems from Knorr-Bremse contribute to greater safety and efficiency on the railways in metro, regional and high-speed train fleets as well as in freight transport.

It is intended to significantly accelerate project processes at Knorr-Bremse Rail Vehicle Systems. The focus is on the project planning of brake systems – one of the core competences of the technology leader with over 115 years of experience – and the creation of system documentation. After its successful implementation, applying the platform in practice is now starting.

Consistent thanks to "Single Source of Truth"
"The various aspects of project planning have previously not been sufficiently networked on the tool side. EB's library-based approach and consistency are now helping to increase networking," says Matthäus Englbrecht, Vice President Global Brake Systems at Knorr-Bremse. Pneumatic and circuit diagrams as well as BOMs now have a "single source of truth" for all components of the braking system.



Knorr-Bremse has extensive test rigs at its Munich site, which play a central role in the development of train brake systems and the testing of their performance.

"By allowing the various departments involved to all access EB's joint database, their cooperation is also further improved," says Englbrecht. The cooperative platform replaces two systems at Knorr-Bremse. It covers both the mechanical and the control technology aspects of systems engineering. Pneumatics, electrics and electromechanics are only different views of the same database.

According to Englbrecht, this integration of different areas also helps the platform to increase data quality and reduce interfaces as well as manual work, possible transmission errors and manual checks. The connection to the Windchill product lifecycle management system used by Knorr-Bremse also supports these benefits beyond the EB system boundary. For example, by automatically making available the work results to all departments along the value chain.



"Networking and modularization are important pillars for Industry 4.0"Uwe Vogt, Aucotec Management Board.

Modularity needs central data
"In addition to the networking capability, it was crucial for us that EB could map the modularity of our brake systems," adds Englbrecht. EB's central library is an important basis for this. "In our decision-making process, we took a close look at the market and Aucotec's references," continues the division manager. "Initial pilot projects have confirmed our conviction that the various engineering departments can move further together and work more integratively with this solution. For this, we are working with Aucotec to further improve the integration of EB into our processes and Windchill."



Matthäus Englbrecht, Vice President Global Brake Systems at Knorr-Bremse.

"Important pillars for Industry 4.0"
For Aucotec, an independent software developer for over 35 years and one that has grown considerably in recent years, the collaboration with Knorr-Bremse is an important confirmation: "EB's concept of networking and modularization meets modern engineering requirements exactly. Both are important pillars for Industry 4.0 and future-oriented efficiency. We are therefore very pleased to have convinced such an innovative, successful company," explains Uwe Vogt, Member of Aucotec AG Management Board.

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