Axiom Rail LN-25 vs Y25 Suspension comparisonAxiom Rail LN-25 vs. Competitor - technical suspension comparison presentation

 The brief was to both highlight the physics involved in the operation of the train's wheel-set and bogie's steering, and how their product overcomes these factors better than their leading competitor. It aimed to give clients enough technical insight into the problems so that they could fully understand why these subtle design features were necessary. It was also an educational tool to be used internally and externally.

With several of these physical engineering principles overlapping it was important to outline them section by section and build a picture of how in solving one problem they were actually able to eliminate problems in other areas, whilst highlighting the inherent design faults of the competitors' product.

In order to achieve this, the animations were cut together into an interactive presentation to be used on their website, using sound and technical data taken from advanced engineering software simulators such as VAMPIRE®. The inset image shows the suspension properties of the two bogies side-by-side, with comparable graph data running to show the subtle differences.
Axiom Rail LN-25 Product overviewAxiom Rail LN-25 overview

For Axiom Rail's international client base, I produced multi-lingual versions of the presentation. Careful timing was crucial to coincide voice-over with annotations, and during specific moments of the animations.
Axiom Rail LN-25 Steering dynamicsAxiom Rail LN-25 Track steering properties

To show some of the dynamic properties of the bogies steering meant complex animation controllers had to be rigged to show how very small angles and freedom of movement provide smoother running of the wheel-sets, less wheel-flange wear and track damage - ultimately reducing track noise. The animation, coupled with on-screen overlaid annotations, proved an invaluable aid to illustrating these points effectively.
Axiom Rail LN-25 vs Y25 Secondary suspension comparisonAxiom Rail LN-25 secondary suspension and transom wagon damping

Animation showing how the secondary suspension was superior to the competitor product, by illustrating the damping effects of lateral movements of the wheel-sets. With so many dynamic factors affecting the bogie during typical operation, it would have been extremely difficult to re-create this in a standard CAD package. Using custom animation scripted code and being able to exaggerate deforming components, meant that animations could be quickly previewed and signed-off by both marketing and technical engineering teams.
Axiom Rail LN-25 Noise characteristicsAxiom Rail LN-25 noise characteristics

I was subsequently asked to provide supplementary animations to show some of the findings of research Axiom Rail has conducted with the University of Southampton, into track noise. Being able to use existing assets, I was quickly able to produce another series of animations demonstrating the different factors that contribute to noise.

In order to demonstrate the more subtle nuances of noise and vibration, additional animation was required, along with audio clips and overviews of the various forms of noise generated.
Axiom Rail LN-25 University scientific dataAxiom Rail LN-25 university scientific data

To ensure I fully understood and could therefore convey these intangible concepts accurately,
I liaised with the University of Southampton. It was equally important that data was presented respectfully, and that it could be substantiated to peers in the engineering field.
Axiom Rail LN-25 University test findingsAxiom Rail LN-25 university test findings

An interesting factor to the wheels of a train, is their natural harmonic resonance, which means they act almost like a cymbal (when under certain vibrational conditions), despite being incredibly thick pieces of steel. Although this phenomenon is nothing new in itself, the actual causes of this have been largely contested, so being able to demonstrate this concept to back up the University findings was not only appreciated by the client, but also the University.
Axiom Rail LN-25 Ground borne vibrationAxiom Rail LN-25 ground-borne vibration

A large contributor of noise to surrounding buildings and structures is the vibration that travels through the ground causing that rumbling noise much further away. To achieve such tricky animation, I resorted to traditional 2D graphical animations to quickly outline the principle. My versatility in cutting and editing sound clips and video, 2D and 3D skills, plus technical understanding, meant that I could deliver the whole package as a touch screen application at short notice, for a major international exhibition.