Angst+Pfister AG
Alstom Is Counting on Angst+Pfister for Its M7 Rail Engineering Project in Belgium
A fast paced development timeline, solutions for complex technical requirements with combinations of strict fire protection regulations, needs for outstanding mechanical performances and suitability for complete systems integration – that was the key with which the engineers from Angst+Pfister won several contracts with the transport company Alstom. Alstom’s customer, Belgian Railways, will be running with our anti-vibration and fluid technology as of 2018.
The M7 rail engineering project – a flagship for modern mobility solution for the people of Belgium: Nearly 1,400 new double-decker rail cars are due to be rolled out on the Belgian railway network beginning in 2018. Angst+Pfister’s customer Alstom Transport is building a first batch of 90 motorized traction units for this major contract. Alstom requires anti-vibration and fluid technology components for the installed HVAC units as well as for the main traction transformer.
It Began with a Special Ventilator and Auxiliary Transformer Bearings
“In March 2016, our management was given the opportunity to present our technologies and our competences to Alstom Transport in Belgium,” explains Emanuele Varini, Project Engineer at Angst+Pfister. Shortly after this, the Alstom engineers contacted Angst+Pfister. “Initially our task was to design a special vibration isolation support for an auxiliary transformer and for a ventilator necessary for the cooling system of the coaches. We provided Alstom with the preliminary sketches and information on the design, which convinced them,” says Emanuele Varini. “But the real challenge was in harmonizing the mechanical qualities of the bearing ensuring long lifetime whilst meeting the requirements of the European railway fire protection regulation EN 45545-2. In addition, Alstom needed us to meet a fast paced development timeline.”
