Our project involved researching and developing simulation and hardware platforms for the evaluation of conventional and intelligent control systems, focusing on maintaining contact pressure of a railway pantograph on its associated catenary line.
We used SIMPACK, a Multi-Body Simulation (MBS) software, for the dynamic analysis of the Pantograph-Catenary system. It enabled our engineers to generate and solve virtual 3D models in order to test new materials, understand the problems of wear and tear, validate control-command strategies and evaluate the effects of breakdowns.