Firstly, the project addressed the study and implementation of lightweight solutions in cargo wagons, including the use of Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS), composites and joining techniques. The project also addressed the study and implementation of coating solutions for wagon interior surfaces. Two coating prototypes have been formulated with reduced friction coefficient, high resistance to abrasion and corrosion, ability to be applied by airless sprayer, brush and roller duet, and capacity to transport wide range of goods. Prototype 1 obtained the food contact certification.
Smart facilities have been also designed, which include the loading and unloading facilities, and the interactive platform On-Line Logistics Monitoring and Tracking System (OLMTS). Both the loading and unloading facilities are flexible to a wide range of products, scalable to different loading capacities, flow ratios, adaptable to the new designed wagons and allow a reduction of 50% in loading times, 60% in unloading and 75% in wagon cleaning compared to current facilities. OLMTS allows to consult main relevant logistic and maintenance data of the complete logistic chain.
Numerical methods and models for designing wagon and loading/unloading facilities have been attained to determine actions on the bulk freight that improve the logistic operation: optimise the material flow, minimise wear and stress, determine the influence of the particle size distribution and build a numerical model that mimics the variations of the bulk material flow behaviour.
A wagon prototype and unloading station have been designed and manufactured. The work has been focused on: eliminating important drawbacks of bulk transport on rail by designing highly modular wagons suitable for over 90% of the European rail network, reducing tare weight of the wagon, which allows 47 % higher load capacity, and producing a high modularly scalable unloading capacity with reduced dusting during unloading.
HERMES wagon prototype has been homologated according to the European interoperable legislative framework.
Field tests of the wagon prototype, loading and unloading operations and OLMTS have been successfully conducted. Several improvements have been detected and reported. Additionally, OLMTS system has proved its added value in providing relevant logistics data.
Overview of the results and their exploitation and dissemination:
Results with potential to be exploited after the project have been identified, such as: bioscomposite manufactured by pultrusion process (CTM), new coating formulation (HEM), wagon (KIR), loading facility (IDP), unloading facility (KIR, IDP), OLMTS and Integrated Washing System (IDP), numerical models (LTU), AHSS and joining techniques application (all).
Dissemination activities have been carried out during the project including a webpage, two brochures, a workshop, publications in specialized journals and media, conferences attendance, clustering activities and project videos.
