Hitachi Rail Uses Roboze Technology to Produce Spare Parts

Roboze is collaborating with Hitachi Rail on the additive manufacturing (AM) production of railway spare parts, thereby improving efficiency as well as reducing costs and delivery times.

Hitachi Rail has chosen the Roboze ARGO 500 solution to operate in its factory in Naples, Italy, as well as at its new digital, state-of-the-art 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 parts for its trains.

The railway industry constantly faces the challenge of availability and costs associated with the production of spare parts. Roboze’s AM technology offers a 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 while significantly reducing costs and delivery times.

The collaboration between Hitachi Rail and Roboze extends beyond the supply of machines. Hitachi Rail will also benefit from the engineering services and consulting provided by Roboze’s expert teams, both in the United States and Italy, ensuring continuous and highly specialized support.

Hitachi Rail will soon open its state-of-the-art rail car factory in Washington County, Maryland. The $70-million 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. By partnering with Roboze, Hitachi Rail will be able to harness its advanced 3D printing solution to produce prototypes and railway spare parts.

“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,” says Luca D’Aquila, COO Hitachi Rail Group and CEO 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. This technology not only enhances production efficiency but also represents a significant step toward greater sustainability and innovation in the transportation industry.

“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,” says Alessio Lorusso, Roboze founder and CEO.

Roboze says the collaboration with Hitachi Rail marks another important milestone in its mission to transform industrial manufacturing globally.