Our goal is to provide railway administrations and wagons owners with the most efficient technologies, and enable them to make the most of their wagons parks and rails.

Our current line of buffers is truly the best on the market, in terms of both performances and prices. We have developed, for the European market, the following types of buffers:

- UIC A Category Buffer (min. 30 kJ);

- UIC Crash Buffer (min. 400 kJ);

- and a premiere on the market, an Aplus Category Buffer which takes the standard A Category buffer to the next level, through a crash elements that ensures min. 150 kJ energy absorption.

To find out more about INNOVA and how we can help you, we suggest you refer to the Projects & Products section, and contact us.

* INNOVA (IST) is registered as INNOVA Sisteme si Tehnologii srl in Arad, Romania.

- INNOVA A Category Buffer 30 kJ overview (.pdf, 372 kB)
- INNOVA A Category Buffer 30 kJ certificate (.pdf, 268 kB)
- TSI Certificate by Bureau Veritas (2001/16/EC), issued for
buffers manufactured by AZOMA (.pdf, 107 kB)
- INNOVA A Category Buffer 30 kJ drawing (.pdf, 58 kB)

The INNOVA standard A category buffer (code IST-01.00.00), developed by INNOVA Systems & Technologies and manufactured by AZOMA, provides a storage capacity of mechanical work of min. 30 kJ, in dynamic regime.

INNOVA’s A category buffer is fully compliant with all conditions set forward for A category buffers, as per UIC leaflets 526-1 ed. 3/2008, 573 ed. 7/2007, and EN15551:2009.

The buffer is executed in a welded construction, with a removable plate.
Its standard variant includes a plate of steel type S355J2+N EN10025-2:2004, 450 mm in length. Upon request, the following extras are available:
- additional manganese steel wearing plate;
- extra long buffer plate, 550 mm.
The INNOVA A category buffers min. 30 kJ are typically equipped with A cat. thermoplastic shock absorbers (i.e. MINER TecsPak), or butyl shock absorbers (i.e. Spencer Moulton).

Upon beneficiary’s request, we can accommodate any other type of shock absorber within the buffer, providing its maximum pre-compressed length does not exceed 560 mm, and its diameter does not exceed 197 mm.

Compliant with:

- UIC leaflets: 526-1 ed. 3/2008, 573 ed. 7/2007

- EN15551:2009.

Homologated with: AFER (Romanian Railways Authority), 2009.

Certifications: The buffer has undergone certifications as constitutive element of interoperability (ECI) and has received the type examination certificate from Bureau Veritas as Notified Body. The certification is based on modules B and D of the annex to the Commission Decision 2006/861/EC of 28 July 2006 concerning the technical specification of interoperability relating to the subsystem rolling stock – freight wagons of the trans-European conventional rail system. The buffers are delivered with a certificate of conformity as constitutive element of interoperability.

DOCUMENTATION:

- INNOVA Aplus Buffer 150 kJ overview (.pdf, 372 kB)
- INNOVA Aplus Buffer 150 kJ certificate (.pdf, 268 kB)
- TSI Certificate by Bureau Veritas (2001/16/EC), issued for
buffers manufactured by AZOMA (.pdf, 107 kB)
- INNOVA Aplus Buffer 150 drawing (.pdf, 77 kB)

INNOVA Aplus Buffer

Detail of plastic deformation zone.

INNOVA Aplus Buffer

Normal functioning state, no deformation.

INNOVA Aplus buffer

During plastic deformation of the crash element.

As per the latest RID regulations, wagons transporting dangerous goods that are already in exploitation must be able to absorb at least 500 kJ per wagon end; while newly built wagons must be equipped to absorb no less than 800 kJ per wagon end. The purpose of these measures is to ensure adequate protection to accidental impacts at speeds over 12 km/h. To meet these regulations, existing wagons are fitted with crash buffers min. 250 kJ, and new wagons carry crash buffers min. 400 kJ.

Most wagons – over 90% – are currently fitted with standard 30 kJ A category buffers. Based on our extensive experience, we believe all wagons should be protected at accidental impacts at speeds over 12 km/h, and not just the ones transporting dangerous goods. Current prices for crash buffers, however, discourage wagons owners from utilizing crash buffers unless RID specifically requires to do so – which is the very issue addressed by INNOVA’s revolutionary Aplus Crash Buffers.

The INNOVA A Category buffer (code IST-01.00.00), in its Aplus constructive variant, provides a cost-efficient solution to the dilemma whether all wagons should be upgraded to crash buffers.

INNOVA’s Aplus buffer, developed by INNOVA Systems & Technologies and manufactured by AZOMA, has a storage capacity for mechanical work in excess of 150 kJ in dynamic regime: this translates to 5 times more than a standard A category buffer, and twice as much as a C category buffer. Live impact tests have, in fact, recorded over 170 kJ energy absorption per buffer.

The price of an Aplus buffer is, however, comparable to that of the standard A category.

The INNOVA Aplus crash buffers 150 kJ are equipped with A cat. thermoplastic shock absorbers (i.e. MINER TecsPak), or butyl shock absorbers (i.e. Spencer Moulton).

The buffer deformation comprises two phases:
- elastic deformation, observed at impact speeds under 12 km/h and forces not exceeding 1.5 MN;
- elastic + plastic deformation occurring at speeds exceeding 12 km/h and forces over 1.5 MN.

Compliant with:

- UIC leaflets: 526-1 ed. 3/2008, UIC 573 ed. 7/2007

- EN15551:2009.

Homologated with: AFER (Romanian Railways Authority), 2009.

Certifications: The buffer has undergone certifications as constitutive element of interoperability (ECI) and has received the type examination certificate from Bureau Veritas as Notified Body. The certification is based on modules B and D of the annex to the Commission Decision 2006/861/EC of 28 July 2006 concerning the technical specification of interoperability relating to the subsystem rolling stock – freight wagons of the trans-European conventional rail system. The buffers are delivered with a certificate of conformity as constitutive element of interoperability.

DOCUMENTATION:

- INNOVA Crash Buffer 400 kJ overview (.pdf, 372 kB)
- INNOVA Crash Buffer 400 kJ certificate (.pdf, 274 kB)
- TSI Certificate by Bureau Veritas (2001/16/EC), issued for
buffers manufactured by AZOMA (.pdf, 107 kB)
- INNOVA Crash Buffer 400 drawing (.pdf, 77 kB)

INNOVA Crash Buffer min. 400 kJ

complete (nominal) plastic deformation

INNOVA Crash Buffer min. 400 kJ

normal functioning, no plastic deformation

INNOVA Crash Buffer min. 400 kJ

partial plastic deformation

Why Crash Buffers?

According to the latest RID regulations, existing wagons transporting dangerous goods must be able to absorb min. 500 kJ per wagon end, while newly built wagons must be able to absorb min. 800 kJ per wagon end.

The INNOVA Crash Buffer 400 kJ

The INNOVA crash buffer 400 kJ (code IST-04.00.00), developed by INNOVA Systems & Technologies and manufactured by AZOMA, stores in excess of 400 kJ per buffer, which translates into over 800 kJ per wagon end. Official tests have recorded an unmatched 478 kJ per buffer.
The INNOVA crash buffer 400 kJ is equally suited to equip existing wagons, as well as new ones. It fully complies with all conditions imposed by UIC 526-1 ed. 3/2008, UIC 573 ed. 7/2007 and EN15551:2009.

In addition to the compulsory conditions to be met, the buffer also corresponds to:

- tests with forces F3 and F4 as per EN15551:2009, pt. 5.4 and Annex B (identical with UIC 526-1, ed. 3/2004, pt. 3, and Annex D and E);
- all conditions set with regard to the buffer housing’s resistance in the area where it is fixed upon the frontal transverse of the wagon, as per UIC 526-1, ed. 3/2008, pt. 3.3 and Annex J2.

The buffer is executed in a welded construction, with a removable plate.
Its standard variant includes a plate of steel type S355J2+N EN10025-2:2004, 450 mm in length. Upon request, the following extras are available:

-    additional manganese steel wearing plate;
-    extra long buffer plate, 550 mm.

The INNOVA crash buffers 470 kJ are equipped with A cat. thermoplastic shock absorbers (i.e. MINER TecsPak).

The buffer deformation comprises two phases:

- elastic deformation, observed at impact speeds under 12 km/h and forces not exceeding 1.5 MN;
- elastic + plastic deformation occurring at speeds exceeding 12 km/h and forces over 1.5 MN.

Compliant with:

- UIC leaflets 526-1 and 573
- EN 15551:2009

Homologated with: AFER (Romanian Railways Authority), 2009.

Certifications: The buffer has undergone certifications as constitutive element of interoperability (ECI) and has received the type examination certificate from Bureau Veritas as Notified Body. The certification is based on modules B and D of the annex to the Commission Decision 2006/861/EC of 28 July 2006 concerning the technical specification of interoperability relating to the subsystem rolling stock – freight wagons of the trans-European conventional rail system. The buffers are delivered with a certificate of conformity as constitutive element of interoperability.

With decades of experience in developing innovative, breakthru solutions to many thorny issues the railway industry has been confronted with, we are able to translate our vision into the most efficient products on the market.

We currently develop a range of buffers / shock absorbers for railcars that are unrivaled in terms of performance, full compliance with UIC standards, and last but surely not least, price:

- UIC A Category Buffer (min. 30 kJ);

- UIC Crash Buffer (min. 400 kJ);

- and a premiere on the market, an Aplus Category buffer which takes the standard A Category buffer to the next level, through a crash elements that ensures min. 150 kJ energy absorption.

To find out more about our INNOVA’s railway engineering expertise can help you, please contact us.

- national railways administrations;

- private railways owners and operators;

- national and private wagons owners, including tank wagons, freight wagons, and specialty wagons.

Our expertise falls mostly within the European marketplace, and we can advise and assist you in making the most out of your resources, and work with you to identify and address areas of improvement.

Additionally, INNOVA can represent you and your business in various European territories and markets. If you are looking for a representative for your products or services, please get in touch and we will be happy to discuss things further.

We are aware that most, if not all, communication pertaining consultancy projects and business development is a highly confidential matter. INNOVA would like to assure you that all messages you may send to us via this site are treated as confidential, and will not be mentioned or discussed with any third parties unless we have your express consent.