Wabtec faced inefficiencies with their 52 lb brake panel, which was heavy, expensive to produce, and slow to deliver. After testing multiple solutions, they chose the Nikon SLM® 800 for its speed and capacity to print the part in one piece. This reduced production time, costs, and environmental impact by enabling local manufacturing and eliminating the need for multiple pieces.

The redesigned panel not only passed safety tests, exceeding air pressure requirements by 30% and hydraulic tests by 50%, but also reduced future maintenance needs. Wabtec is now expanding additive manufacturing to other components, including heat exchangers and brake pads, using smaller Nikon SLM® systems.

Key Benefits:

• Weight reduction & single-piece design: Improved train performance and reduced maintenance.
• Production efficiency: Six pieces per batch compared to traditional methods.
• Environmental impact: Localized production reduced emissions and shortened lead times.

Success with Nikon SLM Solutions Systems:

Learn how advanced additive manufacturing technology streamlined production, reduced lead times, and enhanced the performance and safety of Wabtec’s brake panels. Download the full case study to learn more.