Schaeffler presents axlebox generator in a joint project at the transport logistic

With a combination of an Schaeffler axlebox generator, battery system and automatic tarpaulin system, European companies are showing how rail freight transport can become more efficient and economical – a real step forward on the way to automated and digitalized freight transport. 

Automated processes are also becoming increasingly important in freight transport, for example to enable the digital automatic coupling of wagons or accelerated loading and unloading through automated opening and closing systems, thus reducing the loading and downtime of trains. "Without a cheap and reliable power supply, new developments for freight transport have no future. With our axlebox generator, we are providing significant support for the further development of automation solutions for rail freight transport," says Frank Steinmetz, Business Development Manager Rail at Schaeffler. 

Autonomous, wear-free power generation

Freight wagons usually do not have an electrical power supply. As an alternative to power supply via the locomotive or batteries, Schaeffler offers a self-sufficient energy supply with the axlebox generator. Schaeffler axlebox generators are designed for standardized European bogie configurations and axles in freight transport. There are two power ranges available, a low-power version up to 50 W and a high-power version from 100 W.

In the high-power version, the generator provides energy for automation systems for the automatic opening and closing of doors and roofs, among other things. The generator, which is integrated into the axlebox bearing housing, can also be retrofitted. This makes it easy to use in existing vehicle fleets. The permanent magnet rotor is attached to the front side of the wheelset shaft, and the wear-free stator is integrated into the housing cover. 

Joint project for efficient rail freight transport

The French company Innovaction Technologies, manufacturer of automatic tarpaulin systems, developed an electrically operated, foldable tarpaulin roof for wagons. The battery, which is provided by the Slovenian company Realtronik, is powered by a Schaeffler axlebox generator. In the current version, the stored energy is sufficient for about 50 opening and closing processes without the freight wagon having to move. 

Ermewa, European leader in freight railcar leasing with a fleet of over 50,000 wagons, will use the power supply of the axlebox generator not only for the automatic tarpaulin system, but also for a sensor system that detects how much cargo space is left in the wagon – a first and important step towards automated loading.