photo: Bas Bogers/Fast train
ERCI’s latest webinar brings smart rail engineering into two concrete areas: non-destructive material inspection and integrated interior solutions. The session focuses on what makes rolling stock safer, more sustainable, and easier to maintain across its full life cycle.
The webinar officially opens with ERCI representatives outlining the organisation’s role as a European innovation cluster network uniting 18 member clusters and more than 3,000 rail-related companies, many of them SMEs. ERCI says its mission to strengthen cross-border cooperation, support innovation partnerships, and boost the international visibility of European rail technologies.
Terakalis
The first presentation begins with Terakalis introducing its terahertz (THz) wave technology for non-destructive testing. Positioned between microwaves and infrared in the electromagnetic spectrum, THz waves are non-ionising, contactless, and safe for operators, offering inspection capabilities for non-conductive materials such as polymers, ceramics, glass-fibre composites and coatings.
The company says that while metals remain outside the scope of penetration, the technology excels in analysing multi-layer structures, internal defects, delamination, bonding issues, and thickness measurement.
There are practical applications for the railway sector:
- Multi-layer coating thickness measurement
- Inspection of glued and welded assemblies such as windshields and flooring
- Structural integrity assessment of glass-fibre composites
- Detection of corrosion hidden behind interior panels
Particular attention is given to maintenance optimisation, where corrosion detection without dismantling interior walls could significantly reduce downtime and labour costs.
There are also technical capabilities detailed: the system enables 2D and 3D imaging, thickness measurement from microns to centimetres, and inspection speeds suitable for industrial production lines.
In response to questions, Terakalis confirms that over 20 systems are already operating in production environments worldwide, showing growing industrial maturity. However, the company clarifies that rail track inspection is not a target application, as THz waves cannot penetrate conductive metal structures.
Seisenbacher
The second presentation shifts focus to Seisenbacher, an Austrian rail interior engineering specialist with more than 90 years of industrial experience and a strong rail-specific focus since 2010. The company presents its core expertise in integrated ceiling systems, luggage racks, partition walls and custom interior assemblies, with aluminium forming the backbone of its manufacturing strategy.
Seisenbacher discusses the complexity of translating ambitious design concepts into durable, regulation-compliant rail interior solutions.
Key challenges include:
- Long lifecycle expectations (up to 30 years)
- Vandalism resistance
- Fire and smoke certification requirements
- Increasing sustainability and recyclability constraints
- Visual consistency across mixed materials
The company notes that aluminium-based systems, advanced coating processes, and engineering validation help reconcile aesthetics with structural integrity.
Case studies include:
- Seamless aluminium ceiling systems replacing mixed-material designs
- Wood-look sublimation coatings providing recyclability and humidity resistance
- Crash-tested table systems compliant with US safety standards
- Lightweight structural solutions reducing weight while maintaining durability
Sustainability is also a much-discussed theme, particularly regarding recyclability and lifecycle performance.
During Q&A, Seisenbacher addresses fire certification for wooden elements, confirming compliance through specialised material selection and coatings meeting European rail safety standards. The discussion also touches on competitive pressure from non-European manufacturers, with speakers emphasising the need for innovation-driven resilience within Europe’s rail supply chain.
The session concludes with ERCI promoting upcoming webinars, funding opportunities under Horizon Europe and Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking, and encouraging participants to engage in innovation awards and cluster initiatives.