Annual Report 2010 - Knorr-Bremse AG.

RepoRt
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From Europe to the world
In the core European market, decades of experience, state-of-the-art technology and long service intervals
have contributed to the success of the Knorr KE valve, which complies with the European UIC
standard. The valve is globally regarded as a synonym for extreme reliability, having proved itself millions
of times. The secret to its success is its continuous development: Improvements and innovations
are tested on Knorr-Bremse’s UIC test bench in Munich, where engineers can simulate braking of trains
up to 1,500 in length and record the performance data of every individual control valve.
Acquisition of the US company New York Air Brake (NYAB) and the launch of the Knorr-Bremse DB60
control valve specially designed for the American AAR standard, marked the continuation of Knorr-
Bremse’s worldwide expansion – and also gave the company access to the South African market,
which uses the same standard. Knorr-Bremse valves are also installed in trains in Australia, where the
AAR system is used for transportation of heavy iron ore and otherwise the Australian Railways ARA
standard applies.
Knorr-Bremse was also able to draw on its experience with adapting to the AAR standard when it entered
the Russian market. In close collaboration with the Russian state railways the company developed
valves for trains operating on 1,520 mm gauge tracks. They are designed to be easily installed on
Russian trains and to be compatible with competing valves – but also to offer demonstrable advantages
for operators.
Close collaboration with local experts
For a major project such as development of control valves for the GOST standard it was crucial for
Knorr-Bremse to have the support of experienced Russian rail experts who were familiar with local
conditions and knew what was important for the Russian market. But despite being able to call on
their experience the project was a major challenge. Whereas in Europe and America the valves are
designed to function at temperatures down to minus 40 degrees Celsius, in Russia the temperature
limit was minus 60 degrees Celsius.
Successful certification
This certification project involved detailed testing of systems, components and materials on special
test benches in Munich over a period of several months. Compatibility tests were backed up by field
and operational testing.
At the end of the year under review an important milestone was reached when the new valves were
certified for the Russian market. Once in-service testing begins in 2011 the company will be well on its
way to becoming a certified supplier of GOST standard control valves for use in Russia and the Commonwealth
of Independent States.