Altair Case Studies Lighter, More Efficient Cargo Rail Wagon Platform Developed with Altair Software

	Lighter, More Efficient Cargo Rail Wagon Platform Developed with Altair Software Altair

Lighter, More Efficient Cargo Rail Wagon Platform Developed with Altair Software

Altair

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms
Applicable Industries	Railway & Metro Transportation
Applicable Functions	Logistics & Transportation Product Research & Development
Use Cases	Construction Management Construction Site Monitoring
Services	System Integration Testing & Certification
Challenge	ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (ÖBB RCG), the freight transport sector of the Austrian Federal Railways, was faced with the challenge of staying competitive in the complex logistics industry. The demand for freight wagons was strong, and meeting customers' needs was a top priority. The company needed to invest in a modern fleet of wagons and locomotives. The trend towards lighter and more flexible wagons led ÖBB RCG to aim for a new, lighter, and more flexible wagon system. The design principles they wanted to adhere to were weight optimization, standardization, and modularization in production and maintenance, and the use of high-strength construction steel. To realize this project, ÖBB RCG collaborated with two major partners – voestalpine, a globally leading technology and capital goods group, and PJM, a provider of railway systems solutions. Read More
About Customer	ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (ÖBB RCG) is the freight transport sector of the Austrian Federal Railways. The company is committed to meeting the demands of the highly competitive logistics industry and is constantly investing in a modern fleet of wagons and locomotives. ÖBB RCG is well aware that today’s customer requirements cannot be met with last-century technologies and therefore pursues innovative approaches that use new concepts and technologies. The company aims to stay competitive by developing flexible freight wagon platforms that can adapt to complex logistics requirements across all industries. Read More
Solution	The solution was the development of the TransANT wagon series, a lightweight construction concept with a modular design that ensures greater efficiency and flexibility in adapting to customer logistics requirements across all industries. PJM handled the virtual development of the wagon structure, using the requirements for loads and loading situations specified by RCA to achieve an optimized freight wagon design. The design process started with a concept study, defining the basic design and opting for a central I-beam-based construction. PJM used the tools of Altair HyperWorks™, in particular Altair HyperMesh™, Altair HyperView™ for pre- and post-processing, and Altair OptiStruct™ for FE analysis and optimization. The Altair solutions allowed the engineers to combine topology optimization and evidence of calculation relevant for approval processes and certification, ensuring a reliable performance and a very good result within a short time. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation

Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms

Applicable Industries

Railway & Metro

Transportation

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Construction Management

Construction Site Monitoring

Services

System Integration

Testing & Certification

Challenge

ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (ÖBB RCG), the freight transport sector of the Austrian Federal Railways, was faced with the challenge of staying competitive in the complex logistics industry. The demand for freight wagons was strong, and meeting customers' needs was a top priority. The company needed to invest in a modern fleet of wagons and locomotives. The trend towards lighter and more flexible wagons led ÖBB RCG to aim for a new, lighter, and more flexible wagon system. The design principles they wanted to adhere to were weight optimization, standardization, and modularization in production and maintenance, and the use of high-strength construction steel. To realize this project, ÖBB RCG collaborated with two major partners – voestalpine, a globally leading technology and capital goods group, and PJM, a provider of railway systems solutions.

About Customer

ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (ÖBB RCG) is the freight transport sector of the Austrian Federal Railways. The company is committed to meeting the demands of the highly competitive logistics industry and is constantly investing in a modern fleet of wagons and locomotives. ÖBB RCG is well aware that today’s customer requirements cannot be met with last-century technologies and therefore pursues innovative approaches that use new concepts and technologies. The company aims to stay competitive by developing flexible freight wagon platforms that can adapt to complex logistics requirements across all industries.

Solution

The solution was the development of the TransANT wagon series, a lightweight construction concept with a modular design that ensures greater efficiency and flexibility in adapting to customer logistics requirements across all industries. PJM handled the virtual development of the wagon structure, using the requirements for loads and loading situations specified by RCA to achieve an optimized freight wagon design. The design process started with a concept study, defining the basic design and opting for a central I-beam-based construction. PJM used the tools of Altair HyperWorks™, in particular Altair HyperMesh™, Altair HyperView™ for pre- and post-processing, and Altair OptiStruct™ for FE analysis and optimization. The Altair solutions allowed the engineers to combine topology optimization and evidence of calculation relevant for approval processes and certification, ensuring a reliable performance and a very good result within a short time.

Impact #1	The TransANT wagon series has provided ÖBB RCG with a major competitive advantage in the logistics industry. The lightweight design of the wagons allows for higher payloads and better return on investment. The modular design ensures greater efficiency and flexibility in adapting to customer logistics requirements across all industries. The use of high-strength construction steel and the reduction in the number of parts required for assembly have simplified the manufacturing process. The lighter weight of the wagons also means that fewer train journeys per year are needed for the same transport volume, resulting in significant cost savings for the railcar industry. This also promotes the shift from road to rail, contributing to the sustainable use of the world’s limited resources.

Impact #1

The TransANT wagon series has provided ÖBB RCG with a major competitive advantage in the logistics industry. The lightweight design of the wagons allows for higher payloads and better return on investment. The modular design ensures greater efficiency and flexibility in adapting to customer logistics requirements across all industries. The use of high-strength construction steel and the reduction in the number of parts required for assembly have simplified the manufacturing process. The lighter weight of the wagons also means that fewer train journeys per year are needed for the same transport volume, resulting in significant cost savings for the railcar industry. This also promotes the shift from road to rail, contributing to the sustainable use of the world’s limited resources.

Benefit #1	Payload advantage up to 4 tons
Benefit #2	Reduced manufacturing complexity thanks to ~ 40% less parts to assemble
Benefit #3	Weight of the wagon reduced by 20%

Benefit #1

Payload advantage up to 4 tons

Benefit #2

Reduced manufacturing complexity thanks to ~ 40% less parts to assemble

Benefit #3

Weight of the wagon reduced by 20%

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Overview

Lighter, More Efficient Cargo Rail Wagon Platform Developed with Altair Software

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit