Annual Report 2012 - Knorr-Bremse AG.

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Report Trade Fairs // Leading trade fairs IN 2012
Leading trade fairs in 2012
InnoTrans and IAA Commercial Vehicles a resounding success
Under the motto: “Efficient. Technology. Worldwide.” Knorr-Bremse presented cutting-edge brake technologies
and onboard systems to an international audience at the two leading trade fairs in 2012 -
InnoTrans in Berlin and IAA Commercial Vehicles in Hanover. The focus at InnoTrans, the rail industry
event, was on the company’s global systems competence and on innovations aimed at saving resources
across the entire product life cycle. And at the IAA Commercial Vehicles the central themes were
energy efficiency and pollution reduction, as well as increased safety and the needs of regional commercial
vehicle manufacturers.
The ninth InnoTrans trade fair was attended by record numbers of visitors (up 19% at 126,000) and
exhibitors (over 2,500 in all) including an increased international presence – all eager to conclude business
deals or find out about the latest products and services on offer. The 64th IAA Commercial Vehicles
was also a record-breaking event, with no fewer than 354 product premieres. Despite difficult
market conditions the organizers managed to attract more than 1,900 exhibitors, making it the
second-biggest IAA Commercial Vehicles of all time. Knorr-Bremse used the opportunities offered by
both events to make a large number of valuable customer contacts.
Knorr-Bremse
presents a wide range
of products that
demonstrate its
systems competence
and global presence.
Knorr-Bremse presents numerous product highlights at InnoTrans 2012
In developing new products, Knorr-Bremse Rail Vehicle Systems always puts a strong emphasis not
just on safety but also on energy-efficient solutions designed to cut vehicle life cycle costs and minimize
consumption of resources. This was demonstrated by the products highlighted at the InnoTrans
trade fair.
With LEADER, for example, Knorr-Bremse has created an intelligent train management system that
facilitates fuel savings while at the same time reducing wear and helping the driver bring the train to
its destination safely and on schedule. To ensure optimal staff training, Knorr-Bremse combined the
system on display at the trade fair with a drive simulator from its subsidiary Sydac.
Knorr-Bremse demonstrated its systems competence with the CRH5 brake frame, which is already
installed on Chinese high-speed trains. This shows how the compressor, air treatment and brake control
can be integrated into a single compact brake frame, making it much easier for vehicle builders
to enhance production efficiency and incorporate the brake equipment into their vehicle design.
The several thousand refurbished brake calipers currently in use on trains around the world are a
testament to the success of Knorr-Bremse RailServices in the market. A compact brake caliper was on
display as an example of a Knorr-Bremse product that has been refurbished “as new”.
Knorr-Bremse’s new Flexpad Silent “whisper brake pad” also made its first public appearance at Inno-
Trans. This new high-performance brake pad combines innovative design with intelligent use of materials
to largely eradicate brake squeal. A further example of an intelligent response to increasingly
strict noise regulations was the soundproofed oil-free compressor.
In the field of hydraulics, Knorr-Bremse presented a new spring-operated brake caliper especially
designed for use on monorail vehicles. This innovative product is extremely compact and lightweight
and is capable of operating at high brake disc temperatures. Another product highlight on
display was the KAB60 control valve that has been specially designed for the Russian freight market.
Developed over a number of years, the valve can operate at extremely low temperatures down to
minus 60 degrees Celsius.