Continental Railway Initiative Railway Suspension Systems
The ContiTech Group as one of the world’s leading development partners and original equipment manufacturers in railway technology not only supplies high-tech products for suspensions, interior trims and resilient track support but also offers a close-knit sales network for fast help when problems occur.
United, we take up the challenge of addressing suspension technology requirements for modern rail vehicles, either operating in local, commuter or in high-speed rail traffic. Components and systems for suspension and vibration-control technology are the basis to create complete suspension design concepts, for all primary and secondary solutions as well as rubber-to-metal components for bogies.
Suspension concepts for rail transport technology
Under the umbrella of the product/market segment ContiTech Railway Solutions, ContiTech air spring systems embraces all activities of the worldwide leading supplier of air springs for railway traffic.
ContiTech Railway Solutions air spring product range includes rolling lobe air springs, belted air springs, unrestricted diaphragm air springs, double-convolution air springs, customised all-in-one air spring systems (consisting of air springs and integrated auxiliary spring) and dedicated metal parts.
ContiTech is the world’s leading supplier in this sector. Its air springs business unit develops and manufactures at eight plants in China, Germany, Hungary, Korea, Mexico, India and Turkey. The business unit can demonstrate certification to ISO 9001 and TS 16949. All plants producing for the rail transport industry are certified to IRIS.
Sensor technology
In 2010, ContiTech Railway Solutions presented a contactless height and pressure sensor that can be integrated into the air spring. With its integrated height and pressure sensor, ContiTech provides the technical basis for electronically controlled air suspension systems with electrically actuated valves.
This innovation makes it possible for future rail vehicles to benefit from the advantages that air-sprung road vehicles have long enjoyed: less loss of air, more exact regulation of the riding level and automatic variable-target-level adjustment. Electronic control considerably reduces the number of setting actuations required. The riding level is readjusted only when the vehicle experiences load changes due to passengers getting on or off the vehicle.
Rubber-metal spring
As a primary spring, the compact rubber-metal spring of the ContiTech MEGI® brand is used as support and wheelset control spring in the drive area of many low-floor and high-speed trains.
ContiTech Railway Solutions offers a wide range of springs of the cone or chevron type. As a secondary spring, each of these is a component of ContiTech air suspension systems, supporting the interplay of stiffness and deflection.
Axle suspension systems
Hydrosprings are special axle suspension systems, each consisting of a rubber-metal cone spring and an integrated self-contained hydraulic system. Integrated wear-free into the system, such suspension types render any external damping superfluous.
Air suspension system with integrated wireless chip
ContiTech air spring systems’ new air suspension system with the integrated wireless chip opens up entirely new possibilities in production, logistics and service. Even after years of wear and tear and fouling, it is still possible to obtain clear product information using a pistol grip scanner. This eliminates the need to vulcanise a type ID into or affix it onto an air spring. The chip also offers reliable protection from pirated copies that, despite the inferior quality, bear a strong outward resemblance to ContiTech products.
Certified test lab ensures product quality
The crucial criterion for ContiTech is the quality of its air spring products. ContiTech has at its disposal the world’ only certified test lab for rail vehicle air spring systems.
Its independence is officially attested by certification in accordance with DIN EN ISO / IEC 17025. With certification to ISO:9001, TS 16949 and IRIS, the segment, which belongs to the Air Spring Systems business unit, has been satisfying the industry’s highest requirements already for many years.
Customer service
ContiTech is on track worldwide and ready to heed your call as fast as possible. For this purpose, ContiTech Railway Solutions has a closely-knit sales network of experienced technicians on service 24/7 all around the globe.
This enables the company to remain within easy reach of the customers even after the air suspension systems have been installed. It can promptly respond to a call and see to it that original replacement parts are not only supplied but also immediately installed on the train.
Continental Railway Initiative Images
Products and Services
Video
White Papers
Related Projects
Docklands Light Railway Capacity Upgrade
Amsterdam Metro / Light Rail Network by GVB
West Coast Main Line
Guangzhou Metro
East Coast Main Line (ECML), Edinburgh to London
Barcelona
Botniabanan High-Speed Railway Line
Amsterdam Metro North-South Line
Caen Tramway Project in France Operated by Twisto Transports Urbains
VAL Mini-Metro Line
Lyon Light Rail System
LGV Est Européen
Leeds Supertram –
Buenos Aires Metro
Tilting Trains
Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL)
San Juan Tren Urbano
Montpellier Light Rail Network
Nantes Light Railway
Rome Light Rail Metro and Tram System – Railway Technology
Madrid Metro
Gatwick Express
Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Line
Tyne & Wear Metro Rapid Transit System, United Kingdom
Light Rail System, operated by Thameslink Rail
Tren Urbano
Nottingham Express Transit Light Rail Scheme, United Kingdom
Bahn 2000
Heathrow Express
London Underground Jubilee Line
TGV South Korea High Speed Rail Route Operated by Korail
Thalys
Norway Tilt Trains operated by Norwegian State Railways
Lantau Line and Airport Railway, Hong Kong
Turin Metro
Alaris Tilting Trains
Kowloon-Canton Railway
Shanghai Metro
Finland Pendolino Tilting Trains
Swiss Tilting Trains
AVE
Germany InterCity Express High Speed Rail Network operated by Deutsche Bahn
Grenoble Light Rail System, Rhône-Alpes
Netherlands
TGV France High Speed Railways operated by SNCF
Press Release
Continental is developing innovative materials to improve comfort for passengers while travelling and provide a host of practical new functions for passengers.
Read moreContinental has created a sensor that uses ultrasound for the measurement of the height and pressure of air springs.
Read moreEuropean sustainable energy innovation company InnoEnergy will be investing up to €5m the Hardt Hyperloop project.
Read moreContinental provides products and solutions that meet particularly high rail transport standards, including fire protection.
Read moreRapid-response vehicles have been able to travel to maintenance sites of China's high-speed rail service in record time by making use of Continental's air spring systems.
Read moreContinental is developing systems to ensure the future of safe mobility in rail transport, ensuring a reduction in rail transport accidents with its innovations and technologies.
Read moreJochen Vennemann joined ContiTech's Continental Group media and public relations team at the beginning of the year.
Read moreRail transport in the US is also being expanded outside major cities with millions of inhabitants. An example of this is the Brightline intercity express passenger rail project that will ultimately connect Miami and Orlando. Continental air springs will also travel with the high-speed trains used, providing a pleasantly comfortable ride, even at top speeds of 200km/h.
Read moreEnsuring the provision of adequate mobility services to passengers within major urban centres is considered to be one of the greatest challenges of our time.
Read moreIn the Italian rail vehicle industry, special importance is attached to fire protection in rail vehicles. In the current original equipment manufacturer projects in the area of subway and regional trains, fulfillment of European standard EN 45545 is mandatory to the very highest level.
Read moreWhether Warsaw or Gdansk, Poznan or Wrocław, public transport in Poland's large cities is gathering pace over the next few years. In addition to the expansion of the route network, numerous new vehicles will be contributing to the attractiveness of city center metro and tram systems.
Read moreInternational technology company Continental is increasing its activities in the rail transport sector and has become a member of the Association of the European Rail Industry (UNIFE). The association officially accepted Continental's membership at its annual general meeting in Barcelona.
Read moreWhether goods or passenger transportation, route operators, rail vehicle manufacturers, and politicians all want one thing: low-noise railway transportation. ContiTech has been addressing this matter for some time now and is involved in research projects aimed at reducing noise levels in rail transportation. The specialist in air springs already offers systems that use different technologies to reduce noise levels on busy railway lines and, in turn, minimise the impact on residents.
Read moreDigitalization is a pioneering trend, and not just for the passenger car industry. It is playing an increasingly important role in the development of new transportation concepts in the rail vehicle industry as well. "Digitalisation can make rail-bound mobility even more attractive and cost-effective for operators and passengers," says Olaf Philipp, head of rail business at ContiTech Air Spring Systems. "We can imagine that, with the right technology, accelerations and movements within the air spring can be measured, digitally recorded, and made available to the customer."
Read moreWhether in the bogie of the locomotives or carriages, in heating or air-conditioning systems, or in the interior trim, ContiTech develops solutions that not only are durable and robust but also ensure maximum safety through compliance with specifications, such as European fire protection standard EN 45545.
Read moreSurface materials for waiting areas and materials for public transport interiors have to be extremely hard-wearing. In addition, they have to satisfy the strict design and safety requirements.
Read moreThe industry partner ContiTech, part of the global technology company Continental, has acquired Sydney-based Australian railway engineering specialist Vulcanite, thereby strengthening its business outside the automotive industry.
Read moreContiTech will be showcasing what it has to offer at InnoTrans in Berlin, Germany (hall 9, booth 401, 20-23 September 2016).
Read moreDeutsche Bahn plans to fit 50% of its freight car fleet with what is known as a 'whisper brake' by the end of the year. But it is not just braking that generates noise, the wheels of rail vehicles are also susceptible to vibrations.
Read moreContiTech Railway Engineering is exhibiting as a system supplier at Eurasia Rail in Istanbul (Hall 9, Stand 921) with secondary suspension systems, various rubber-metal parts for primary suspension, and a comprehensive range of services for customers.
Read moreClaus Peter Spille (47) is the new head of ContiTech Air Spring Systems, a business unit of ContiTech.
Read moreAn international partner network around the globe is one of the strengths of ContiTech Railway Engineering. The air springs specialist from Hanover, Germany, collaborates with partners in the replacement sector in over 37 countries.
Read moreWhether metro or passenger trains, rail transport in Scandinavia is growing steadily. ContiTech Railway Engineering also has its sights on the expanding needs of this growth market.
Read moreThere has been a staff change at ContiTech Air Spring Systems: Olaf Philipp has assumed management of the ContiTech Railway Engineering segment and will run the rail vehicle business with air springs and metal-rubber parts worldwide.
Read moreWhether local or high-speed, rail travel is on the fast track in Turkey. Under the motto "Engineering Next Level," ContiTech has its sights set on the expanding needs of this growth market.
Read moreFrom spring systems and bellows materials for rail vehicles to hoses for rail operation: ContiTech is an experienced partner to the rail vehicle industry, offering innovative rubber and plastic products that meet the highest standards.
Read moreWith its air spring systems for bogies, ContiTech is one of the world's leading suppliers to the rail industry. Its product line also includes concertina wall materials that connect rail cars and air actuators for current collectors, also known as pantographs.
Read moreContiTech is further expanding its strong dealer network for the rail vehicle industry.
Read moreEven before the new European fire safety standard EN 45545 comes into effect in 2016, ContiTech is working on products that will meet the new requirements.
Read moreTrains should be up to 50% quieter by 2020.
Read moreEspecially hot and cold temperatures place high demands on spring systems in rail vehicles. For extremely cold areas of application, ContiTech has developed the new K air spring.
Read moreFrom spring systems and bellows materials for rail vehicles to hoses for railway operations to air actuators in pantographs: ContiTech is an experienced partner for the rail vehicle industry, offering innovative rubber and plastic products that meet the highest demands.
Read moreWhether it's in the cities of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir or for nationwide long-distance travel, the rail network in Turkey is constantly expanding. In this growing market, ContiTech presents itself as a supplier of air spring systems in the primary and secondary spring area, at the Eurasia Rail in Istanbul (hall 9, booth 9D10-03) from 6 to 8 March.
Read moreContiTech is to present its flagship product on the Australian market, in addition to its air springs systems and rubber-metal components, at the leading regional trade fair AusRAIL PLUS 2013.
Read moreContiTech will be presenting its suspension systems for rail vehicles at the NT Expo 2013, the largest railway trade fair in Latin America, in São Paulo, Brazil, from 5-7 November, 2013 (Red Pavilion, Booth I 05).
Read moreContiTech Railway Engineering will be at the International Railway Equipment Exhibition 2013 (IREE) in New Delhi, India from 3-5 October. The manufacturer of spring systems for rail vehicles is exhibiting in hall 9, booth G2. ContiTech Railway Engineering's presentation will focus on ultramodern air spring systems for secondary suspension and spring systems for primary suspension.
Read moreA broad product portfolio that leaves nothing to be desired: At TRAKO, visitors can see for themselves the great diversity in suspension products offered by ContiTech Railway Engineering.
Read moreFrom June 4 to 6, ContiTech Air Spring Systems is exhibiting at Rail+Metro China in Shanghai. The one-stop supplier for air spring systems in the field of primary and secondary suspension is putting the themes Service and Safety on center stage at the trade show in Hall E7, Booth S180.
Read moreFrom 7 to 10 March 2013, ContiTech Air Spring Systems is exhibiting at Eurasia Rail in Istanbul, Turkey. The one-stop supplier for air spring systems in the field of primary and secondary suspension is putting the themes Service and Safety on center stage at the trade show in Hall 9, Booth 9D18-02.
Read moreAfter the completion of InnoTrans 2012, Hannes Friederichsen, Head of ContiTech Air Spring Systems business unit, reflects the company's participation in the fair.
Read moreService and safety will be the focus of ContiTechs display at the InnoTrans 2012 (18 - 21 September). The company will showcase its high quality and durable air spring products, under the motto "best in service and safety", as well as its extensive range of services, ensuring that replacement parts and technical support are available anywhere in the world at short notice.
Read moreFrom 30 May to 1 June, ContiTech is exhibiting at the Rail + Metro fair in Shanghai, China. The systems manufacturer of suspension systems for rail vehicles will be exhibiting at booth MA049 in hall N1. Primarily state-of-the-art suspension systems for primary and secondary suspension, as well as MEGI brand hydro springs, conical springs and buffers will be on exhibit there.
Read moreEven in these turbulent times marked by the financial and Euro crisis, ContiTech AG, one of Continental AG's five divisions, has remained on course for success. The Hanover-based technology company generated sales of €3.6bn in the past fiscal year, thereby posting a considerable increase of 16%.
Read moreThe systems manufacturer for rail vehicles presents high-tech air suspension systems for primary and secondary suspension at Eurasia in Istanbul, Turkey on 8-10 March.
Read moreMegacities and mobility is the focused theme of ContiTech's booth at the Hannover Messe 2012.
Read moreSuspension solutions for primary and secondary suspension: systems manufacturer for rail vehicles to present high-tech solutions.
Read moreFrom November 1 to 4, ContiTech Railway Engineering will be showcasing its products at Metro China in Beijing, China. The manufacturer of suspension systems for rail vehicles will be exhibiting at booth A155 in hall 1. ContiTech Railway Engineering's presentation will focus on ultramodern air spring systems for primary and secondary suspension. MEGI®-brand hydro springs, conical springs and buffers will also be on display.
Read moreContiTech Railway Engineering supports the Polish rail vehicle industry with ultra-modern suspension systems for the primary and secondary suspension as well as with rubber-to-metal bonded parts for rail vehicles.
Read moreContiTech Railway Engineering is showcasing its products at the APTA EXPO 2011 in New Orleans, US. The manufacturer of suspension systems for rail vehicles is displaying its products at booth 4823 together with ITT Koni-Enidine, its sales partner for the US, Canada and Mexico.
Read moreContiTech is investigating the construction of a rubber compounding facility in Nyíregyháza, Hungary.
Read moreContiTech Railway Engineering will be showcasing its products at the International Railway Equipment Exhibition 2011 (IREE) in New Delhi, India, 28-30 September. The systems manufacturer of suspension systems for rail vehicles will be exhibiting at booth 11.21.22 in hall 11. ContiTech R
Read moreAt InnoTrans 2010, the international trade show for rail transport technology in Berlin, ContiTech will be focusing on safe products and systems for rail vehicles. New technological developments at ContiTech Air Spring Systems and worldwide service make a major contribution to rendering
Read moreContiTech Air Spring Systems, Hanover, has equipped all 96 vehicles of the new Gautrain in South Africa with air spring systems. The systems ensure that the football fans have a safe and comfortable journey to the World Cup matches. The train was developed by Bombardier Transportation, the world'
Read morePreparations for the 2010 World Expo have been keeping Shanghai working tirelessly now for over seven years. A gigantic project of the 20-million megacity is the extension of its metro system. ContiTech Railway Engineering, a segment of ContiTech's air spring operations, is also involved in the p
Read moreContiTech is strengthening its position in China's railway engineering sector. The Hanover, Germany-based company will supply air spring systems for 50 of the new China Railways CRH1 high-speed trains. The delivery agreement was just signed in the new ContiTech plant in Changshu, China.
Read more
GIGABOX provides freight cars with greater running smoothness and lower maintenance costs, noise reduction of up to 3dB(A), and is suitable for Y25 bogeys. In the framework of the federally-supported "quiet traffic" research association, ContiTech Air Spring Systems is participating in
Read moreHigh-speed trains must provide top comfort, even in Siberian winters. As market leader and globally active equipment manufacturer for high-speed trains, such as the ICE 3, ContiTech provides for excellent suspension comfort, even at -50°C. The elastomer specialist has developed an exceptionally c
Read moreThe share of the rail vehicle market has increased by 50% since 1994, and manufacturing operations are due to expand significantly by 2013. In order to meet growing requirements in India for air spring systems, including those for rail vehicles, ContiTech is planning to produce air spr
Read moreAt Hanover in May 2008 ContiTech Air Spring Systems received a quality certificate according to the International Railway Industry Standard (IRIS) from the international railway industry. ContiTech is one of the pioneers of quality management in the railway supplies industry. IRIS certification w
Read moreTogether with its Indian partner, Resistoflex Dynamics (Pvt.) Ltd., Noida, ContiTech, the world's market leader in primary and secondary suspension components for rail vehicles, supports the Indian rail industry with innovative suspension concepts. ContiTech has agreed upon a major
Read moreContiTech AG (hall 1.2 booth 218) is the world's largest specialist in rubber and plastics technology in the non-tire rubber sector - as well as being an established system supplier for rail transportation technology. Experts at the ContiTech Railway Engineering (CRE) segment of Co
Read moreContiTech Air Spring Systems has been awarded a special order from India, the country with the world's most extensive interconnected rail system. In Bombay, the city with the highest passenger density of any urban railway system in the world, the local trains are currently being moderni
Read moreAt this year's Innotrans (September 19 - 22, 2006), ContiTech Air Spring Systems is presenting the GIGABOX, a unique system for rail freight cars. The system, which consists of a wheelset bearing and a hydraulic spring, was recently nominated for the HERMES AWARD. This places the bearing susp
Read moreLong maintenance intervals, running smoothness and light weight are the main challenges faced by components for the rail cargo transport. All of these properties have been integrated in a new type of system consisting of wheel set bearings and hydraulic spring, developed in close cooperation betw
Read moreA contactless functioning height and pressure sensor that has been integrated into the air spring is being showcased by ContiTech Air Spring Systems at the InnoTrans in Berlin (hall 1.2, booth 136). Air suspension is becoming ever-more common as secondary suspension on modern passenge
Read moreContiTech Elastomer-Beschichtungen GmbH, Northeim, is launching its transparent concertina-wall module for the rail industry. A design that has proved itself in buses has now been adapted for streetcars. A miniature model of the textile interface that will soon be in service as a flexible link in
Read moreAny successful cooperation needs a regular exchange of knowledge and ongoing dialogue to arrive at optimum solutions. An example of this is the project for the French state railway SNCF. ContiTech supplies air spring systems in cooperation with the WeP (value-added partner) Paul B
Read moreA high-tech component made by ContiTech Air Spring Systems ensures safety and riding comfort in the TGV Duplex double-decker high-speed trains operated in France and in the TGV Korea non-double-decker adaptation of these trains. The so-called coupling mount, a cone-shaped articulatio
Read moreWhether in long-distance, suburban or subway trains, or in trams: Air springs and air spring systems from ContiTech Railway Engineering (CRE) are operating along many tracks around the world. Quality and service have made the rail-vehicle experts from Hannover the world leaders in primary and second
Read moreContiTech at InnoTrans 2002 in Berlin "On track worldwide... ...with the right suspension concepts!" This is the motto under which ContiTech is presenting itself as international development partner for future-oriented rail transportation technology at InnoTrans 2002 in Berlin
Read moreRegional Offices
Philipsbornstraße 1
D-30165 Hannover
Germany
