RUSSIA: Attachments designed to enable train toilet and cab doors to be opened with an elbow or lower arm rather than a hand, and thus reduce the risk of spreading germs or a virus like Covid-19, are being tested by Russian Railways.
Siemens Mobility has used 3D printing to produce the prototypes, which have been fitted to several Desiro RUS electric multiple-units operating in the Moscow area ahead of possible wider installation.
Siemens Mobility recently purchased two Stratasys 3D printers which have been installed in Moscow and St Petersburg to help with the maintenance of rolling stock it has supplied to Russia, including the Sapsan high speed trains from its Velaro family which it has a contract to maintain for 30 years.
The company envisages that the use of additive manufacturing and a digital inventory of original train components will reduce the costs and time needed to provide spare parts.
‘3D printing gives us the flexibility to manufacture and replace spare parts ourselves any time in daily business’, said Sabrina Soussan, CEO of Siemens Mobility. ’We’re using this technology now to quickly produce attachments for door handles on demand so we can meet our customers’ growing need for special health and protection measures.’
Siemens Mobility’s centre of competence for additive manufacturing is at Erlangen in Germany, and it also has facilities at Dortmund and Wegberg-Wildenrath.
