Wabtec Adopted 3D Printing for Rail Part Supply
The rail industry now uses 3D-printed components to maintain aging train fleets and reduce downtime costs.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Auto Parts
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Wabtec has deployed 150,000 3D-printed parts on active train lines as traditional supply chains struggle to support equipment averaging 27 years in age. This transition helps operators avoid daily depot costs that can reach up to k€500 per unit.
Why it matters
As original equipment suppliers exit the market, additive manufacturing offers a critical way to produce small batches of replacement parts that traditional foundries no longer supply. This keeps aging rail fleets operational and helps families avoid the logistics delays caused by extended train maintenance.
Operators face daily downtime costs of k€50 to k€500 when trains are stuck in depots. Wabtec currently offers a warranty of up to 24 months on its printed parts, which have already achieved weight reductions such as shrinking one brake panel from 17kg to 2kg.
The players
Wabtec
A global rail technology manufacturer formed in 1999 that specializes in transport equipment and utilizes additive manufacturing to maintain aging fleets.
Deutsche Bahn
The national railway company of Germany that leads industry efforts to standardize 3D printing through its Mobility Goes Additive network.
The details
Engineers create these components by digitizing legacy 2D PDFs and handwritten documentation into usable 3D models. Before installation, parts undergo rigorous fatigue, vibration, and salt-spray testing to ensure they meet safety standards. By consolidating multiple components into single, lighter parts, the company reduces both production complexity and physical weight.
Timeline
1999: Wabtec formed via merger of Westinghouse and MotivePower.
2016: Deutsche Bahn founded the Mobility Goes Additive network.
2023: Deutsche Bahn certified a new high-speed extrusion printer.
2025: Company representatives spoke at the AMA: AM 2025 conference.
The Home Front
The adoption of additive manufacturing marks a significant shift in how aging infrastructure is maintained by industrial manufacturers. This move follows a pattern established by the 2016 founding of the Mobility Goes Additive network, signaling a transition from experimental use to mass-scale service.
While these industrial parts stay on the tracks, homeowners should note that similar digitization of legacy parts is becoming common across many mechanical sectors. If you own older equipment with discontinued parts, ask a licensed professional if 3D-printed or custom-machined alternatives are viable for repairs.
The takeaway
Additive manufacturing is successfully bridging the gap for aging equipment when original suppliers have exited the market. Families relying on regional transit can expect better service reliability as operators increasingly leverage these digital repair solutions.
Further reading
Learn more about industrial component trends in our Auto Parts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 3D Printing Industry.
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