Deep-Drawing Technology
For the SC-44 diesel-electric locomotive, manufactured by Siemens Sacramento, Photon produces front masks, side panels, and other components. Photon pushes the limits of deep drawing technology in the production of the front section.
- Laser welding/cutting, toolmaking, deep drawing
- Tools weighing up to 20 tons
- Challenge: Forming very large, very deep components made of very strong materials
- Pre-forming simulation
Project details
The diesel-electric SC-44 Charger locomotive has been manufactured by Siemens in Sacramento since 2015. The large-scale project includes 600 locomotives for various North American railway companies such as Amtrak, IDOT, Multistate, SEPTA, and CALTRANS.
The deep-drawing experts at Photon were commissioned to manufacture the deep-drawn roofs, side panels, front masks, and clutch covers. For good reason, because the production of the front masks, which look different depending on the operator, is very demanding.
Tools weighing up to 20 tons must be manufactured for the forming of very large, very deep components made of particularly strong materials. The compensation of the lifting of the components in the tool also requires the full skill of the experienced Photon team.
Shape simulation in advance, improvements in design, and a step-by-step optimized manufacturing process make the difficult possible. A true masterpiece, of which the tool-making and deep-drawing specialists at Photon can be justifiably proud.
By the way: In the USA, trains are no longer robbed, but are still shot at. Which also explains the special robustness of the locomotives.
