Alstom to explore ‘industrial origami’ for trains in partnership with STILFOLD
Alstom and Stockholm-based design and technology company STILFOLD have announced a partnership to explore how STILFOLD’s origami-inspired manufacturing technology, dubbed “industrial origami” could be used to build trains in a more sustainable manner.
STILFOLD’s dubbed “industrial origami” involves the use of robotic arms to fold flat sheet metal over curves to form new structures. The technology removes the need for cutting, welding and joining, reducing material waste, energy consumption and production time while increasing structural strength. It does this by leveraging computational design and advanced robotics. Over the coming months, STILFOLD will now collaborate with Alstom’s innovations department to explore how its innovative steel bending technology could improve how the structures and components in trains are produced, in the hopes of reducing the process’s impact on the climate.
The companies will jointly review existing manufacturing solutions at Alstom to analyse and identify areas where the greatest impact can be achieved. “If we can find solutions that are both more environmentally friendly and cost-effective, it is natural for us to take a closer look at how we can best utilise it, and STILFOLD seems to deliver on many key points,” commented Ganesh Chandramouli, Head of Innovation, Strategy and Portfolio at Alstom Sweden.
Jonas Nyvang, CEO and co-founder at STILFOLD, comments: “At STILFOLD, our aim is to power sustainable manufacturing practices across every industry. Mobility is a key focus for us, which is why we’re so excited to be moving into the rail sector through this collaboration with Alstom. Rail travel has always been one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transport, but it could be made even greener by optimising train construction for sustainability. We can’t wait to explore what this could look like in practice with the Alstom team.”
Alstom Sweden
Alstom regards innovation as a key factor in its efforts to minimise its environmental footprint. Alstom actively pursues innovation by collaborating with a wide range of partners, including universities, research institutions, startups, and other stakeholders, all aimed at enhancing its innovation capabilities, consistent with its long-term strategic goals. Alstom therefore established Innovation Station Sweden earlier this year, marking the third such initiative worldwide. Additionally, Alstom is in the process of establishing an Open Test and Technology Centre for e-mobility at its global traction and brakes component development site located in Västerås.
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