Hitachi Rail to 3D print spare railway parts

ROBOZE, an additive manufacturing company specializing in high-performance materials, has entered a collaboration with Hitachi Rail, a pioneer in the railway sector. Hitachi Rail has chosen the ROBOZE ARGO 500 solution to operate in its high-tech factory in Naples, in Italy, and its new digital rail factory in Washington County, Maryland. The solution enables Hitachi Rail to implement industrial 3D printing technology using materials such as ULTEM 9085 and Carbon PEEK for the production of spare railway parts.

The railway industry constantly faces the challenge of availability and costs associated with the production of spare parts. Additive manufacturing technology offers a concrete solution to this problem – enabling faster and more cost-effective production compared to traditional machining methods. With the implementation of the ARGO 500 solution, Hitachi Rail can now replace traditionally machined metal parts – significantly reducing costs and delivery times.

The collaboration extends beyond the supply of machines, with Hitachi Rail also benefiting from the engineering services and consulting provided by ROBOZE, both in the United States and Italy.

Hitachi Rail will soon open its state-of-the-art rail car factory in Washington County, Maryland. The $70m factory, which is set to deliver the new fleet of 8000-series railcars for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority as its first order, will draw on the wider Hitachi Group’s technological expertise to be its most advanced digital site.

“Our partnership with ROBOZE underlines our commitment to delivering advanced, high-quality manufacturing for our customers. The partnership will enable us to harness 3D printing to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs for producing prototypes and railway spare parts,” said Luca D’Aquila, COO of Hitachi Rail Group and CEO of Hitachi Rail Italy. “This additive solution will be used at our Naples site in Italy and our new digital factory in Washington County, Maryland. allowing us to respond effectively to our customers’ needs.”

Hitachi Rail’s choice to adopt ROBOZE technology highlights the growing importance of AM in the railway sector.

“ROBOZE continues to prove itself as a reliable and innovative partner for companies aiming to rethink their production and push the boundaries of progress through technology,” said Alessio Lorusso, Founder and CEO of ROBOZE.