- Composite stone guard used to protect the underside of high-speed trains
Beakbane will be showcasing its latest lightweight composite guard technology for rolling stock applications at Innotrans 2014.
It will also demonstrate its comprehensive range of bellows and flexible connectors for applications such as brake actuator bellows, pantograph arm bellows, HVAC connectors and air intake bellows.
Beakbane’s composite panels are built around a honeycomb core and offer very high impact resistance combined with extremely low weight. Compared to metal alternatives they are easy to fix and handle, more durable and, because of their light weight, reduce energy costs and carbon footprint.
They are typically used on traction units and rolling stock to protect equipment and personnel from flying ballast and other debris.
The guards comply with NF F 07-101 and the high strength thermoset polymer they are formed from is fire-resistant to European standards, including DIN 5510, BS476 Pt 7 Class 1, BS6853, and NF F 16 101.
A further advantage of the composite panels is that features such as reinforcements, access panels, mounting brackets can be moulded into the panel during manufacture.
Beakbane has recently gained accreditation to EN 15085-2 for the design and welding of railway vehicles and components to cover the metal components used within its composite guards.
The accreditation was carried out by TWI Certification Ltd and makes Beakbane one of just a handful of UK companies to have this certification.
The certification was required in conjunction with a major export contract Beakbane has entered into with a leading international high-speed train manufacturer.
To demonstrate the capabilities of its composite panels Beakbane will be exhibiting a lightweight under-train rock shield featuring examples of moulded in features such as latches, fasteners and metal panels.
The underlying strength of the composite material, and the ability to further strengthen it with fabricated steel inserts, make Beakbane’s protective panels ideal for structural and load-bearing applications.
- Moulded Beakaprene air intake bellow
This opens up the possibility of re-engineering existing designs to make them stronger, reduce the number of components and reduce weight. The manufacturing route also gives a degree of freedom in design, as three-dimensional forms can be more easily produced by moulding than by fabrication.
Tooling for the composite mouldings is relatively inexpensive and is designed in-house by Beakbane. This means that the panels are also an attractive option for low-volume retrofit and maintenance applications.
With its in-house design and manufacturing capabilities, Beakbane can produce custom-made composite panels for any application where light weight needs to be combined with durability and impact resistance.
Typical rolling stock applications include bogie-mounted protective guards for diesel engines, oil filters, signalling sensors, fuel tanks and other ancillary equipment. Composite components are also ideally suited for lightweight inspection panels, streamlining side skirts and bogie-mounted panels. They are equally applicable for streamlined fairings for roof-mounted equipment and to provide protective panels for the driver’s compartment to safeguard against flying ballast and projectiles.
Beakbane complements its composite panels with a range of bespoke bellows and flexible connectors and compensators. It has been supplying these products for rolling stock applications for over 60 years. The company can draw on a wide range of materials, manufacturing technologies and product types to provide the right component for a specific application.
Beakbane is exhibiting in Hall 8.1 on Stand 302 at the Innotrans 2014 International Trade Fair for Transport Technology which takes place in Berlin from 23 to 26 September.