THOMSON RAIL EQUIPMENT LTD

Valley Road, Cinderford,UK GL14 2NZ

Tel: +44 (0) 1594 82 66 11       

THE DESIGN PROCESS

Today the designer is usually a highly trained and experienced Engineer with a variety of powerful design tools

and systems at his or her disposal.

At Thomson Rail Equipment we have the latest computer aided design systems which allow us to design, analyze, test,

animate and visualise new products before any manufacturing process is begun.

We also have a well equipped facility for manufacturing prototypes and small production runs of machinery and components

up to 5 tonnes in weight.

Here, in brief, is an outline of how we take a customer's requirement and develop a product to fulfil that requirement:

Concept

The first stage in the creation of any new product is carefully to define the requirements which the product must fulfil.  This is often done in a 'brainstorming' session with the client where our engineers obtain a clear and concise understanding of what the new product must do, how it must interface with other elements of a system and the basic design parameters such as size and weight limits, ergonomic and economic considerations.

We then use this information to help us create a concept model of the proposed design.  This takes the form of an electronic, 3D representation of the main elements of the design which can be viewed as a complete device or as an exploded view or even animated to show how our concept meets the design brief.

Analysis

Powerful analysis software is used to test the modelled components and assemblies to gain a full understanding of how the real products will perform under actual conditions.  Weaknesses and errors are shown up clearly and the design can be refined to produce an efficient and robust solution to the design requirements.

This part of the operation is closely supervised by experienced Engineers to ensure that the final design

delivers everything that the concept promised.

Drafting

The production of engineering drawings straight from the original models ensures that errors are eliminated

in the production of the prototype device.

The design data will include details of materials, stock sizes, machining tolerances, process considerations,

etc.  In fact, all manner of data can be attached to the original design models including the part numbers

and supplier details for bought-in parts.

Bills of quantities, cost information, supplier order lists, etc. are all developed automatically as the product design progresses.

Production

The Drafting process produces all the data necessary to produce the first prototype product and our own facilities offer a wide range of equipment, skilled operators, machinists, fabricators and assembly specialists to bring the design into being.

We carry considerable stocks of hydraulic and electrical components, we manufacture hydraulic hoses, pipework and valve blocks and all our activities are quality assured to ISO 9001:2000 under the scrutiny of TUV - one of the world's leading bodies.

Testing

As part of the initial design process a written test procedure will be created.  This will detail all the tests required to ensure that the newly designed product works as well as expected. 

Thomson Rail Equipment carry a range of test facilities where we can test strength, measure vibration and noise, check electrical and hydraulic circuit parameters and calibrate systems to ensure that the end product is fully compliant with legislative requirements.

Certification

No product may be sold within the European Union without CE marking and the relevant certificates of conformity.  The process of CE marking is quite involved and includes many tests and assessments to ensure that the finished product is free from safety defects and is fit-for-purpose.

All equipment must be supplied with full documentation and the manufacturer must be able to assemble full technical documentation.

Thomson Rail Equipment Ltd can provide CE marking, LOLER certification and Calibration Certificates for a wide range of machines and equipment.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    iso9001:2000

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