Key Contributions
1. Design Standardization & Product Data Management (PDM)
HiRail Leasing was initially operating with a manual, artisan approach to configuration and documentation. To meet CN’s new requirements, we implemented:
✅ A structured PDM system, ensuring consistent tracking of configurations, drawings, and revisions.
✅ Standardized configuration drawings, defining truck lengths, components, and weight distribution.
✅ Regulatory-compliant drawing templates, aligned with industry standards for rail safety approvals.
✅ Improved version control, preventing outdated specs from being used in production.
These improvements streamlined workflows and enhanced documentation accuracy, ensuring each truck configuration met regulatory and operational requirements.
2. Custom Truck Configuration & Design
Beyond documentation, ONMOTIO worked hands-on in defining the optimal truck configurations for CN’s requirements. This included:
✅ Weight & balance calculations, ensuring trucks met rail safety load standards.
✅ Component selection & mechanical integration, covering:
- Rail drivetrain systems for track operation.
- Custom tool beds for maintenance equipment storage.
- Protective chassis elements to withstand rail operations.
- Hydraulic systems for onboard cranes and auxiliary functions.
✅ Custom part design, adapting elements like toolboxes, crates, and brackets to the specific truck platform.
This phase ensured each HiRail truck was optimized for both road and rail operation, meeting CN’s performance and safety requirements.
3. Hydraulic & Electrical Integration
Rail maintenance trucks require complex hydraulic and electrical systems for their onboard equipment. ONMOTIO assisted with:
✅ Hydraulic system design, ensuring proper power distribution for:
- Onboard cranes (e.g., Palfinger PK 26002 EH).
- Hydraulic stabilizers for rail-road transition.
✅ Electrical integration, covering: - Control panels & safety systems.
- Auxiliary lighting and signaling for rail operation.
✅ Compatibility validation, ensuring all systems worked seamlessly within HiRail’s truck platforms.
This level of integration was critical to delivering fully operational, reliable maintenance vehicles.
4. Manufacturing Support & Process Optimization
To further enhance HiRail Leasing’s production efficiency, ONMOTIO provided:
✅ Manufacturing drawings & assembly manuals, ensuring smooth fabrication and assembly.
✅ On-site process assessment, helping HiRail refine assembly methods and workflow efficiency.
✅ Training & best practices, ensuring teams followed CN’s newly required engineering standards.
These efforts reduced errors, improved production efficiency, and ensured repeatability across different truck configurations.
5. Product Visualization & 3D Renders
To support design documentation, client presentations, and marketing, ONMOTIO developed:
✅ High-fidelity 3D product renders, visualizing the full truck assembly with all integrated components.
✅ Exploded views & technical visualizations, illustrating the relationship between the truck chassis, rail drivetrain, and equipment installations.
✅ Configuration-based renders, showcasing different setups based on customer requirements and CN standards.
These visual assets played a key role in both technical validation and stakeholder communication, helping streamline approval processes and enhance HiRail Leasing’s presentation materials.
