Bombardier Transportation Invests in Stratasys 3D Printing Technology to Streamline Production and Maintenance of Trains and Trams in German Speaking Countries
Global transportation leader to leverage F900 3D Printer to accelerate final part production of interior and exterior train parts, while reducing physical spare-part inventory
MINNEAPOLIS & REHOVOT, Israel–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 15, 2019– Further transforming traditional manufacturing processes with 3D printing, Stratasys (Nasdaq: SSYS) today announced that German-based manufacturer Bombardier Transportation will utilize the large-scale industrial-grade Stratasys F900 3D Printer as part of its operations in the DACH region. The manufacturer will produce final end-use rail parts, as well as manufacturing tools and prototypes for trains and trams across German-speaking countries.
The Stratasys F900 3D Printer is being installed at Bombardier Transportation’s largest manufacturing site worldwide in Hennigsdorf, Germany. The F900 will be deployed to accelerate and customize rail part production, reduce costly inventory for spare parts and increase production flexibility for parts and tools. The manufacturer plans to use the technology to 3D print interior and exterior train parts, such as air ducts, housings and cable holders. Bombardier will also 3D print customized rail tools to aid the production process and speed up the launch of new platforms.
“The Stratasys F900 3D Printer allows us to widen our service offering in such a way that we are now able to 3D print large spare parts, customized rail parts and manufacturing tools – all in-house and on-demand,” comments André Bialoscek, Head of Vehicle Physical Integration Hennigsdorf, Bombardier. “Having previously used fiber glass and tin for train components, the ability to now utilize ULTEM™ 9085 resin meets our application criteria and takes us to a new level in terms of reducing the costs and lengthy lead times associated with those traditional materials.”
Core to the choice of Stratasys was the F900 3D Printer’s large build tray leveraging the unique properties of ULTEM™ 9085 resin material. Its high strength-to-weight ratio and flame-smoke-toxicity rating make it ideal for production applications and a popular choice among customers within the transport industry for achieving compliance to the Rail Standard EN45545-2.
The 3D printed rail parts produced by Bombardier Transportation will primarily support the specific production demands of German, Swiss and Austrian rail and tram companies – strengthening the company’s ability to maintain, produce and replace train and tram parts quickly and cost-effectively.
Andreas Langfeld, President EMEA Stratasys, comments: “Bombardier Transportation’s investment in our F900 3D Printer is synonymous with the huge interest we’re seeing in the mobility sector for industrial-grade 3D printing solutions that can enhance, and in many cases replace, traditional manufacturing across a variety of interior and exterior rail applications.”
He continues, “Our FDM-based additive manufacturing technology offers rail companies and maintenance service providers advanced, rail-certified materials, large build trays for bigger rail parts, and importantly, the highest level of print reliability and repeatability in the industry. We look forward to working closely with Bombardier Transportation to support the deployment of this technology within their operations and enable them to produce customized rail parts on-demand – faster and more cost-effectively than ever before.”
Bombardier Transportation purchased the F900 3D Printing System through Stratasys’ DACH distributor, alphacam.
Stratasys is a global leader in additive manufacturing or 3D printing technology and is the manufacturer of FDM® and PolyJet™ 3D Printers. The company’s technologies are used to create prototypes, manufacturing tools, and production parts for industries, including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, consumer products and education. For 30 years, Stratasys products have helped manufacturers reduce product-development time, cost, and time-to-market, as well as reduce or eliminate tooling costs and improve product quality. The Stratasys 3D printing ecosystem of solutions and expertise includes: 3D printers, materials, software, expert services, and on-demand parts production. Online at: www.stratasys.com, http://blog.stratasys.com and LinkedIn.
Stratasys, the Stratasys signet, FDM, F900 and PolyJet are trademarks or registered trademarks of Stratasys Ltd. and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates. ULTEM™ is a registered trademark of SABIC or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
