ContiTech Railway Engineering - Railway Suspension Systems

The ContiTech Group is a development partner and original equipment manufacturer in rail technology. In the areas of chassis, vehicle body and rail track, ContiTech supplies high-tech products for primary and secondary suspension, for the interior trims and for resilient track support. The international presence and the close cooperation with our customers, particularly with vehicle manufacturers and train operators, accelerates the development of tailor-made products.

They increase security, ride comfort and the cost-effectiveness of trains as a means of transport. We set standards for urban, long-distance and high-speed trains. Throughout the world we are adding to the bright future of trains.

The ContiTech Group - a division of Continental, Hannover - employs 24,000 people worldwide.

ContiTech and Phoenix air spring systems

Together, we take up the challenge of addressing suspension technology requirements for modern rail vehicles – be they operating in local, long-distance or in high-speed rail traffic. Our components and systems for suspension and vibration-control technology are the basis on which we create complete suspension design concepts, for both primary and secondary systems.

Grouped together in the product / market segment "ContiTech Railway Engineering (CRE)" are suspension systems for railborne vehicles. This is a main area of activity for the specialists of ContiTech Luftfedersysteme, the world’s number one supplier of air springs for railway traffic. The key to CRE’s success is its close co-operation with the international railway industry ranging from the development of suspension systems capable of meeting exacting requirements to the integration of those systems on-site. The unit can also boast ISO 9000 and VDA 6.1 certification.

Our hole air spring product range includes: rolling lobe air springs, belted air springs, unrestricted diaphragm air springs, tailor-made complete pneumatic systems comprising air springs with integrated bearer springs and application-specific metal components.

In addition, we make: rolling lobe air springs with rubber-metal cone springs, rolling lobe air springs with half-hourglass (a joint development with TRELLEBORG), belted air springs with laminated rubber-metal springs and unrestricted diaphragm air springs with rubber-metal cone springs. Technical data: load carrying capacity 45kN to 250kN, diameter 400mm to 850mm, horizontal deflection up to ±170mm.

Rubber-metal spring

As a primary spring, the rubber-metal cone spring - with its compact design - acts as a load-bearing and wheel-set-leading axle spring in many powertrains and drives - from low-floor to high-speed trains. As a secondary spring it is a component of Conti air spring systems.

Hydraulic springs

These are special axle spring systems, each consisting of a rubber-metal cone spring and an integrated sealed hydraulic system. They make it unnecessary to install shock absorbers.