Improvement of the Clamping Fixture for Railway Vehicle Wheel Brake Disc

The diploma thesis focused on improving the clamping fixture for the wheel brake disc used in railway transport. X is one of the leading companies in Europe that develops and manufactures various components for railway transport, including the wheel brake disc and its associated clamping fixture. Subsequently, the existing clamping fixture was analysed and, based on the findings, an improved clamping fixture was designed. Using 3D modelling and workshop drawings, development documentation for all clamping elements was produced and their characteristics were presented.

Problem

The diploma thesis focused on improving the clamping fixture for the wheel brake disc used in railway transport.

Solution and Method

X is one of the leading companies in Europe that develops and manufactures various components for railway transport, including the wheel brake disc and its associated clamping fixture. By improving the clamping fixture, the aim is to increase productivity and improve the machining accuracy of the wheel brake disc. The goal is to learn about different approaches to design and modelling and to produce the most efficient and sustainable product.

The objective of improving the clamping fixture is also to save on material and reduce machining costs. For easier understanding, the beginning of the diploma thesis briefly touched upon the basics of design, the importance of clamping fixtures and different clamping technologies. Modern design is strongly connected with various computer programmes for modelling and simulation, which make it easier and faster to produce and adapt new and existing products.

For the most accurate and highest-quality product, such as the wheel brake disc in their case, the clamping fixture must be updated over time and adapted to new technologies in production. Collaboration with other departments in the company is very important to develop and produce the most efficient product that will ensure safe and repeatable clamping. In the main part of the diploma thesis, the wheel brake disc was briefly presented as the workpiece, along with all its characteristics.

Results

Subsequently, the existing clamping fixture was analysed and, based on the findings, an improved clamping fixture was designed. Using 3D modelling and workshop drawings, development documentation for all clamping elements was produced and their characteristics were presented. This also includes all fastening elements, such as screws and support pins, which are needed to assemble the clamping fixture.

Technical documentation was also prepared for all raw elements that need to be ordered for specific clamping elements. To obtain all the necessary results, the improved clamping fixture was also assembled and tested. With the help of production, productivity was compared between the existing and improved clamping fixture, and the results were also presented at the end.