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Use Of Augmented And Virtual Reality In Train Manufacturing To Assess The Components’ Performance An


Train and components manufacturers are implementing both AR and VR technologies to enable train component manufacturing companies to assess the performance of components and identify and minimize the defects faster, thereby enabling manufacturers to reduce operational costs. While AR is a real-time integration of digital information with the user's environment, VR is a three-dimensional, computer generated environment that can be explored and interacted with. [i],[ii] Both these technologies facilitate train and components manufacturers to accelerate and optimize their production, and minimize costs. For instance, in 2016, transport company Keolis Commuter Services launched smart glasses that use AR technology to link field staff at maintenance site and technicians at headquarters. This solution transmits images between two points via glasses to reduce maintenance time and costs. Similarly, Bombardier, a manufacturer of trains and aircrafts, uses VR technology to create a 3D model of its rail components and virtually test efficiency and performance of the component.

TRAIN AND COMPONENTS MANUFACTURING MARKET TO GROW TO $182 BILLION BY 2020 ACCORDING TO THE BUSINESS RESEARCH COMPANY

The Business Research Company expects the global train and components manufacturing market is expected to grow from $153 billion in 2016 to $182 billion in 2020 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%. Asia Pacific was the largest region in the train and components manufacturing market in 2016, accounting for $57 billion or 37.8% market share. This can be attributed to the presence of large number of train and components manufacturing companies in countries such as China, India and Japan owing to a large population and the presence of manufacturing hubs and mines in the region.

The chart below shows the year-on-year growth of the global train and components manufacturing market during 2016-2020

According to The Business Research Company’s Transportation Consultant, Abdul Wasay, train and components manufacturers are adopting advanced technologies in locomotives and railcars to prevent accidents, damages and delays. These improvements enable train and component manufacturers to identify and resolve glitches associated with their products. They are using sensors and detectors to detect and measure the intensity of the malfunction. For example, in September 2016, FLIR, a manufacturer of thermal imaging and infrared camera systems, launched FLIR RSX-F thermal sensor that can be used for advanced fire detection and passenger safety inside rail coaches. The sensor uses high-definition visual imaging for fire and occupancy detection and security monitoring. Similarly, the Australian Rail Track Corporation implemented wayside detector technology to identify railcar safety features such as such as handholds, ladders, and uncoupling levers, through machine vision and digitized imaging.

CRRC was the largest company in the train and components manufacturing market with 13.33% share of the market in 2016. CRRC’s growth strategy is to build more plants abroad to double its international sales outside China to up to US$15 billion by 2020. In this regard, the company announced its plan to build a plant in Canada for manufacturing freight wagons and components, in May 2017.[iii] In addition, CRRC plans to establish 11 regional branches worldwide to manufacture trains, purchase parts, and build maintenance and service facilities, by 2020. These branches will be set up in countries such as Russia, the UK, South Africa and Australia.

The train and components manufacturing industry comprises establishments manufacturing and rebuilding, gauges, frames and locomotives parts and railroad cars. This industry also includes companies manufacturing rapid transit cars and special-purpose self-propelled railroad equipment, such as rail layers, ballast distributors, rail-tamping equipment and other railway track maintenance equipment.[iv]This market does not include railway infrastructure products such as rail tracks, rail anchors and rail braces.

The train and components manufacturing industry is further classified as follows[v] –

  • Locomotives Manufacturing

  • Railroad Cars Manufacturing

  • Other Train And Components Manufacturing

Train and Components Manufacturing Market Global Briefing 2017 is a detailed report giving a unique insight into this market. The report is priced at $1000 for an individual user. To use across your office the price is $1500 and $2000 if you wish to use across a multinational company.

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