Alstom continues to actively expand its capabilities in 3D printing of components

The company recently reached a significant milestone by producing its 150,000th part using additive manufacturing technologies, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Aurelien Fussel, Head of Additive Manufacturing at Alstom, emphasized the company’s successful development in this direction for the past 8 years.

Operation of the hybrid locomotive CHA3C1

Alstom embarked on its 3D printing journey in 2016, starting with the production of simple polymer parts.

Currently, they print almost 40,000 components annually, utilizing three types of materials: around 20 types of polymers, ceramics, and metals such as aluminum, titanium, high-strength, and stainless steel.

One key advantage of 3D printing, according to Fussel, is the ability to manufacture on demand.

This significantly reduces order fulfillment time, avoids large warehouse stocks, and greatly reduces energy consumption.

Alstom claims that 3D printing can replace up to 20% of train components, from simple locks to the front mask of the locomotive.

Recent orders include a headlight housing for a high-speed train in France, a flexible tube for the metro air conditioning system in Spain, and a steel cover for a rail trolley in Scandinavia.

Fussel also emphasized that 3D printing allows for the production of parts on a one-off basis, which is particularly important for spare parts.

This flexibility leads to savings on warehouse space and cost reduction, a significant advantage compared to traditional manufacturing methods.

At present, Alstom has ten additive manufacturing centers in different countries worldwide, employing 150 printers for 3D printing.

The company also plans to implement technology for printing oversized parts using specialized robots.

Other rolling stock manufacturers, such as Siemens and Wabtec, as well as railway carriers, are actively adopting additive technologies, indicating the substantial impact of this innovative approach on the industry.

Photo/source: Alstom

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