On track for new eco-railway systems Koncar

ON TRACK FOR NEW ECO-RAILWAY SYSTEMS

Koncar is a global market leader in the development and production of electric rail and road transport vehicles. The company is pioneering a series of new eco-friendly trains and is on track to produce a range of advanced electric multiple units. In another business first, Koncar is also working closely with SKF to develop special, heavy duty bearings for its latest rolling stock, as Philip Yorke reports.

Koncar Elektroindustrija is a substantial electrical, transport and energy company based in Zagreb, Croatia, and listed on the Zagreb Stock Exchange. Today the company consists of 18 subsidiary companies that employ almost 4,000 people. Annual sales account for over 500 million euros of which half are exports. Currently Koncar delivers its high-tech products and power plant units to more than 100 countries worldwide.

The Koncar company dates from 1921, when its initial manufacture of electrical motors commenced in Zagreb. The company is named after World War II resistance fighter Rade Končar

From the outset the group has strived to produce outstanding, energy-efficient electric rail and road vehicles, as well as power plant equipment and infrastructure components. Headquartered in the largest industrial area of Zagreb, the company operates from a state-

of-the-art manufacturing facility that extends to more than 20,000 square metres. This major manufacturing plant was designed specifically for the production and assembly of electric rail and road vehicles and is strategically located close to the city’s main road and rail networks.

The main business of Koncar Electric Vehicles today involves the development, production and modernisation of electric vehicles of all kinds and their related components. These high-tech operations are supported by teams of fully qualified service engineers who provide ‘around-the-clock’ customer support services.

The dawn of eco-transport efficiency

Croatian Railways are introducing a total of 44 eco-friendly, low-floor trains that will travel across Croatia. These will be manufactured, under a 1.63 billion kuna contract signed recently by the Croatian engineering company Koncar Elektricna in association with its domestic partners.

To all those present at the signing ceremony, the Croatian PM underlined the importance of the contract for Croatia’s railway transport, its passengers’ satisfaction and the economy as a whole. This is all the more important as the trains will be produced in Croatia utilising Koncar’s unique production know-how and expertise.

The first of the 44 trains has already been produced and put into operation. Subsequently 1-2 trains are being manufactured monthly until completion. Sixteen of the 44 trains will serve within the boundary of the city of Zagreb and will commute to nearby towns, whilst the remaining 28 will operate throughout the country. Koncar Electrical Industry’s CEO Darinko Bago said the contract was important for all, including the state because it would receive around 400 million kuna of VAT on the 1.63 billion kuna project.

Minister Hajdas Doncic added that the contract bore testimony to the government’s commitment to investing in the railways. Apart from the new trains, also under way is the renovation of the railway infrastructure and many logistical improvements. These will result in significant economic growth and better passenger services, the minister said.

Driving new bearing technology

Recently Koncar finalised an agreement with SKF for the supply of bearings, axle-boxes and associated equipment for its latest lowfloor electric and diesel-electric multiple unit trains. For the last few years, SKF has been involved with Koncar and its development of their all-new electric multiple units and diesel-electric multiple units (EMUs and DMUs).

Koncar’s designers, along with SKF’s experts, have been able to draw on their combined experience as major suppliers to the global rail industry. A contract was subsequently signed for the supply of SKF link-arm axle-boxes, sensorised tapered roller bearing units, fitted with Gerken earth return devices, bearing temperature monitoring systems and speed sensors for the wheel slide protection units.

In addition to benefiting from the valuable technical assistance provided by SKF, Koncar can now also simplify its supply chain thanks to the complete package being sourced from just one supplier. At the same time, fully integrated solutions such as the temperature sensor-equipped bearing units save time and reduce the complexity of the bearing condition monitoring systems.

The architecture of the EMU and DMU vehicles comprise five and four bogies respectively. During the development of these trains, SKF was initially involved in the supply of components for the prototype and for two additional units.

Advanced auxiliary propulsion

Koncar-Electronics and Informatics designs, produces and maintains a wide variety of electronic power equipment for electric locomotives, electric and diesel-electric multiple units, trams, passenger cars and trackside facilities. The company offers high-quality, ultrareliable auxiliary propulsion products that offer a long service-life and compliance with the most stringent international standards.

The Kontrac GP550AC propulsion converter for electric-multiple units is liquid-cooled with rated propulsion power of 550kW, which enables motor torque control, and full regenerative or resistor braking. This advanced converter is characterised by the modular design of its power units, high-efficiency and easy maintenance.

The Kontrac PN110AC however is an air-cooled auxiliary traction converter. It is fed from a dedicated winding of the main transformer and supplies stabilised voltages to electrical loads. The converter has two three-phase inverters, with two AC outputs and one battery charger, which ensures a constant DC output.

Koncar-Electronics and Informatics also produces Kontrac GP550DE, a propulsion and auxiliary converter for diesel-electric rail vehicles. The converter enables motor torque control, regenerative or resistors braking and is designed to be mounted on the vehicle roof. In addition to the propulsion power, the GP550DE provides two AC outputs and one DC output for supplying all auxiliary consumers on-board the diesel-electric multiple units. The propulsion power of the converter is 475kW and its total nominal power is 550kVA. n

For further details of Koncar’s latest innovative, eco-friendly vehicles and advanced transport systems visit: www.koncar.com