3D Printed Parts for High-Speed Passenger Trains

The Challenge

Alstom is a multinational company that provides sustainable mobility solutions for high-speed trains. An Alstom fleet that has been running for ten years was experiencing part degradation. The Alstom Maintenance team in Nola, Italy, needed to replace two-hundred footrest parts due to damaged or vandalized parts aboard the AGV ETR575, a very high-speed, electric multiple-unit passenger train. Alstom explored solutions, such as a new mold, which was too expensive to produce spare parts. Alstom decided to make the switch and explore 3D Printing solutions.

The Solution

Alstom discovered that 3D Printing was the best solution to manufacture spare parts. They considered the long-term stability of the resin for parts that would withstand years in a commercial setting and settled on the LOCTITE 3D Printing portfolio. After evaluating the LOCTITE materials portfolio, Alstom determined that LOCTITE 3D 3843 HDT60 High Toughness Matte Black was the best solution for their application requirements. LOCTITE 3D 3843 HDT60 High Toughness Matte Black exhibits a superior finish and moderate temperature resistance, which ultimately sealed the choice for this material.

Benefits

Alstom received the footrest parts and immediately implemented them in a passenger saloon of an AGV ETR575, a very high-speed, electric multiple-unit passenger train. Ultimately, they reduced their lead time by 96% and cut overall costs by 25%. Alstom’s original lead time was 180 days, but after turning to LOCTITE and the NXE400 platform, their lead time is now only one week. By leveraging 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing, the team saved more than 20,000 EUR and 172 days of lead time, which is monumental from an operations standpoint.