STAMP‑IT (Sustainable Technology for the Advanced Manufacturing of Panels for the Interior of Trains) is an MCG project, developed in co‑promotion with Instituto Superior Técnico, focused on researching, developing, and validating an innovative solution for aluminium side panels used in railway interiors.

To achieve these objectives, the project relies on advanced technologies such as warm forming and wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), enabling more efficient, flexible, and sustainable processes in the production of railway vehicle components.

The project runs for three years, is being developed at MCG Evolab, and reinforces the commitment of the MCG Transportation business unit to innovation, contributing to a more competitive and environmentally responsible railway sector.

4 key points of the STAMP-IT project:

1. Aluminium interior panels for light and conventional railway vehicles

Interior panels for railway vehicles are manufactured using various materials depending on project requirements.

However, the increasing need to reduce weight and ensure high recyclability is driving a shift from fibre‑resin composites (GRP) to aluminium.

In addition to environmental advantages, aluminium offers greater durability and maintains cost competitiveness while ensuring high quality.

2. Warm stamping of aluminium sheets

Warm forming increases the formability limits of aluminium sheets by up to 20% compared to conventional cold stamping.

This capability enables the creation of more complex and bold geometries in wall panels, opening opportunities for more modern, advanced interior designs.

3. Single‑piece panel manufacturing

Currently, aluminium side panels are produced through multiple operations – extrusion, sheet bending, and welding.

The STAMP‑IT project proposes manufacturing these panels as a single piece using warm forming, eliminating additional welding and assembly steps.

This innovation is expected to reduce production costs by approximately 30% while simplifying the overall process.

4. Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) of tooling

Warm stamping requires advanced tools such as punches, dies, and binders, which must operate between 200–300°C.

Traditional manufacturing methods (casting and machining) limit the integration of sensors, cooling channels, and heating elements.

WAAM technology allows internal channels and cavities to be incorporated directly into the tooling, improving thermal control and enhancing efficiency and design flexibility.