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Talgo was capable of take away 50% of the load of the operating gear frames for high-speed trains by utilizing carbon fiber strengthened polymer (CFRP) composites. The discount within the tare weight of the prepare improves the vitality consumption of the prepare and subsequently the passenger capability amongst different advantages.
Working gear frames, also referred to as rodals, are the second heaviest structural part of a high-speed prepare and have strict structural resistance necessities. Conventional operating gear frames are fabricated from welded metal plates and are topic to fatigue due to the geometry and the welding course of. The group at Talgo noticed a possibility to interchange the metal operating gear frames and studied various supplies and processes, discovering that carbon fiber strengthened polymers had been the most suitable choice. Talgo efficiently accomplished full-scale validation of structural necessities, together with static and fatigue exams, in addition to non-destructive testing (NDT) testing. Fireplace-Smoke-Toxicity (FST) requirements had been met thanks handy lay-up of the CFRP prepreg. Weight discount is one other clear profit to using CFRP supplies.
The CFRP operating gear frames had been developed for the Avril high-speed prepare. Subsequent steps for Talgo embrace working the rodal below actual circumstances for last approval in addition to increasing growth for different commuter automobiles. The brand new parts will result in diminished vitality consumption and fewer put on and tear on the tracks due to the lighter weight of the prepare.
Learnings from the rodal venture will even help in implementing a brand new set of rail requirements across the acceptance course of of recent supplies (CEN/TC 256/SC 2/WG 54).
Talgo’s venture is supported by the European Fee by way of the Shift2Rail (S2R). S2R’s imaginative and prescient is to ship, by way of railway analysis and innovation, the capabilities to result in probably the most sustainable, cost-efficient, high-performing, time pushed, digital, and aggressive customer-centered transport mode for Europe.
