How can noise and wear be reduced to a maximum? With sensor technology and artificial intelligence (AI)!
As part of the research project funded by the Federal Office of Transport (FOT) with PROSE, BERNMOBIL, LeanBI AG and Parametric SDS for a demand-oriented railhead conditioning, the first tests were currently scheduled.
Watch the video to see PROSE employee Felix Saur logging the experiments with the HoloLens.
Here comes the third use case of the PROSE inside series within our service engineering capabilities: Reengineering
Reengineering of components and spare parts helps to reduce fleet maintenance costs. Parts that have to be replaced during the overhaul often result in high procurement costs. Obsolescence of spare parts can impact the fleet availability. Reengineering of components requires knowledge about design, structural calculation as well as railway standards and certification issues.
PROSE has long term experience in reengineering parts and components for bogies and rail vehicles.
Armin Burth says: “Reengineering of components and spare parts reduces maintenance costs.”
Let us know if you need to reengineer parts or components and are interested in developing repair solutions.
Development of an evaluation matrix based on the VBZ vehicle structure
Determining which measures are to be implemented within the framework of R3
Development of a project manual applicable to the project
Our Approach
PROSE develops an evaluation matrix based on the VBZ vehicle structure so that it can be determined which measures should be implemented within the framework of R3. The evaluation matrix contains criteria according to which the measures can be evaluated, including an evaluation. PROSE is developing a project manual applicable to the CR3 project. The focus is on the definition of the different phases including their objectives, duration and contents. It also explains which project participants and stakeholders should be involved, when and how, and how responsibilities should be defined.
Customer benefit
The methodology and tooling provided by PROSE in the first phase enables VBZ to efficiently plan and implement Revision 3 and the life extension measures. The evaluation matrix enables VBZ to make informed decisions about which measures should be implemented as part of R3. This helps to use resources effectively and to keep the trams in the best possible condition. The project manual is the basis for VBZ to implement the Cobra tram overhaul and service life extension project in a structured and effective way, resulting in cost savings and efficiency gains.
Review and evaluation of the requirements from the specification sheet
Discussion and agreement of the commented requirements in a workshop
Identification of the requirements that require a risk assessment
Creation of a risk assessment
Transfer of the requirements into a requirements management system (ReqSuite®)
Individual assessment and binding of the requirements
Our Approach
PROSE has drawn up a questionnaire based on these specifications in the sense of “Does a manufacturer have sufficient information? Are the requirements sufficient for the product to be used by SBB”. PROSE checked and evaluated the requirements from the existing specification. The annotated requirements specification was discussed and agreed upon together in a workshop and the requirements requiring a risk assessment were identified. Subsequently, a risk assessment was prepared. The requirements were transferred from the developed basis into a requirements management system (ReqSuite®). The requirements were evaluated individually and given a binding nature in order to evaluate offers received in the subsequent call for tenders.
The requirements specification was then converted into a format that SBB could import into its requirements management system (Polarion®).
Customer benefit
The client received a specification sheet with comments and a supporting questionnaire that allowed him to formulate the requirements more precisely and comprehensibly. Testing, evaluation and identification of requirements that require risk consideration contribute to quality assurance and minimise potential risks in the project. The risk consideration and the binding nature of the requirements enable better preparation for the tender, which improves the quality of the incoming offers. The conversion of the requirements specification into a compatible format for SBB’s requirements management system ensures a smooth integration and use of the requirements by the customer.
Compilation and preparation of parameters for modelling and simulation
Determination of the braking scenario to be considered
Creation of a multi-body simulation model (MBS model) of the cogwheel supporting wagon to be investigated as well as of the coupled train configuration
Execution and evaluation of the simulation
Documentation in a verification report
Our Approach
PROSE is to prove by simulation that derailment safety is given with the new requirements and to develop a set of arguments that can be submitted to the BAV to adapt the driving service regulation.
In a first step, PROSE compiled all the parameters required for modelling and simulation on the basis of customer data. Subsequently, the braking scenario was determined and agreed with the customer. PROSE created the multi-body simulation model (MBS model) of the container car in the required modelling depth. The overall model of the train set included a simplified MBS model of the necessary vehicles for the combinations to be verified in addition to the carrying car to be investigated. PROSE simulated the operationally most critical cases and recorded the results and evaluation of the simulations in a verification report for the attention of the approval authority.
Customer benefit
The customer received a verification report for the approval documentation, which clearly and comprehensibly documents the mathematical proof of safety against derailment of the cogwheel carrier car. On the basis of the proof, the customer was able to obtain the adjustment of the driving service regulation from the BAV.
You have the opportunity to meet PROSE at the 12th IHRUS (Maintenance of Wheels and Rail) symposium on Thursday, 16 November 2023 at the Verkehrshaus Lucerne.
PROSE will hold an interesting lecture about “Rolling Stock Maintenance of the Day After Tomorrow” together with the futurist Dr. Joël Luc Cachelin on the changes that are taking place in our society and in the world of business, and what impact this could have on the maintenance of rolling stock. The lecture will encourage the audience to consider the future and its opportunities and challenges within maintenance. As PROSE wants to stimulate discussion within the audience, the lecture is placed at the end of the lecture series.
Here comes the second use case of the PROSE inside series within our service engineering capabilities: Bogie Repair
Availability, reliability and safety of rail vehicles are impacted by damage on bogies and vehicle structures. A common reason are fatigue cracks after a certain time in service. Fatigue damage requires an understanding of the load spectra acting, as well as an analysis of the existing design by means of FEM and special fatigue assessment tools.
Collisions with obstacles, accidents and corrosion can also lead to damage which requires individual repair solutions. Appropriate repair solutions need to be developed. Effects on the manufacturing implementation are important to be considered. PROSE has long been supporting rail operators in repairing damage on bogies and vehicle structures. Suitable solutions were developed for many vehicles.
Armin Burth says: “Engineering of repair solutions help to keep availability and reliability on a high level.”
Let us know if you need an FEM analysis of an existing design and are interested in developing repair solutions.
Over the next few weeks we will be publishing a series of posts on systems engineering, helping customers with maintenance engineering. PROSE-Systems Engineer Armin Burth provides insights into PROSE’s service engineering activities in this series.
Here comes the first use case of the PROSE inside series within our service engineering capabilities: Bogie Trial Dismantling
By far the largest effort in vehicle overhauls is spend for mechanical reconditioning of bogies. Therefore, the definition of the required reconditioning needs a special focus. PROSE identified that the test dismantling is the relevant step. The findings of the actual bogie condition, hence the wear generated by the effective operation, as well as its comparison with the generic reconditioning recommendation of the manufacturer, finally defines the reconditioning requirements in the dimensions of material consumption and production hours.
PROSE has repeatedly provided customers with an independent second opinion and supported operators or workshops preparing cost efficient mechanical reconditioning of bogies.
Armin Burth says: “The discrepancy between the effective wear of bogies in service and the manufacturer’s generic reconditioning recommendation shows a high effort and material efficiency potential in bogie reconditioning.”
Let us know if you are preparing such overhauls and are interested in assessing optimisation and saving potentials!
The current challenge at SBB Historic is to gradually integrate the organization and fleet management to the world of European standards. This transformation is also to be supported by the introduction of the ZEDAS maintenance software. The historical vehicles have only fragmented operating and maintenance manuals from the manufacturers (some of them no longer exist) and therefore incomplete owner specifications.
PROSE shall support the contracting entity to develop maintenance plans for the first 14 traction units and 3-4 car fleets. These plans can partly be derived from old regulations and shall be transferred into the new maintenance concept. Furthermore, PROSE shall support the introduction of the maintenance software ZEDAS on the customer side.
The goal of the project is a uniform and consistent maintenance plan landscape for the first vehicles of the customer to guarantee the safe, standard-compliant and efficient planning and implementation of the maintenance measures using in-house, club and external services.
Do you have deep knowledge about your local railway market and a wide-reaching network?
Are you skilled at recognizing opportunities in the field of mobility? Then you might be the agent we are looking for.
We are the leading Solution Provider in the field of mobility and we are on the hunt for talented agents to join our international markets*!
What we are looking For:
Local Expertise: Your deep understanding of your local railway market is a key factor.
Influential Network: You have connections with decision-makers in the industry.
Opportunity Finder: Identifying potential for growth in the field of mobility is your specialty.
If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you! Get in touch with us today by contacting Jochen (jochen.helmlinger@prose.one)
This is who we are: https://prose.one/about-us/
Let’s explore how we can shape the future of mobility together!
* = If your home market is not yet our home market (no local PROSE office https://prose.one/contact/), you are considered as part of PROSE’s international market.
Spread the word by sharing this news and notifying anyone you think would be an ideal fit!
Do you need a partner to perform strength analyses in the field of railway?
Here are a few reasons why PROSE is the right contact:
PROSE’s vast, networked and long-standing experience in finite element analysis (FEA)
PROSE’s great expertise from load assumptions to simulation, interpretation, optimisation, specification, test supervision, model validation and troubleshooting
PROSE’s independence to support you as a neutral consultant and surveyor
PROSE’s flexibility and fast responsiveness
For more information, check out our new reference:
It is not always the absolute high-end solutions that PROSE develops!
We are proud that, at the request of our customer SVT Görlitz, we can make a contribution to ensure that the historic VT 18.16 multiple unit train will soon be able to travel again with passengers on special occasions.
The VT 18.16 were high-quality diesel multiple units for the time, equipped with two 900 HP engines and approved for speeds of up to 160 km/h. They were built by the Deutsche Reichsbahn. They were procured by the Deutsche Reichsbahn from VEB Waggonbau Görlitz from 1963 onwards and were intended in particular for international use. Great importance was attached to the equipment and condition, and the catering in the train was much better than in other DR trains.
As part of the modernisation, SVT Görlitz has commissioned us to reconstruct the floor of the vehicle so that, depending on the event and necessity, passenger seating, buffet tables or cinema seating can be installed very quickly and flexibly.