fatigue strength

PJ Messtechnik strengthens engineering expertise through NAFEMS Membership and new welding certification

The Engineering division of PJ Messtechnik is setting new standards: With the successful completion of the EN 15085-2 certification and admission into the international association NAFEMS, the company reinforces its competence in the design and calculation of railway vehicle components.

As an accredited testing center to ISO/IEC 17025, PJ Messtechnik GmbH performs worldwide tests for the rail vehicle authorization in the areas of fatigue strength, vehicle dynamics, brake tests, acoustics, aerodynamics, and pantographs. Furthermore, the company is a specialist in railway engineering and was the first to apply topology optimization – originally a space technology – to freight wagons. The most recent achievements – joining NAFEMS and obtaining the EN 15085-2 certification – underscore this deep-seated expertise.

NAFEMS and welding certification highlight high quality standards

Structural calculation is a core pillar of PJ Messtechnik’s engineering services. Through its NAFEMS membership, the company's expertise in technical analysis and simulation is now visible on an international scale. NAFEMS connects over 1,500 organizations worldwide dedicated to excellence in simulation and innovative analysis technologies. The membership badge signals that PJM pursues the highest quality standards.

PJ Messtechnik also demonstrates its strength in structural manufacturing. The certification in Activity Level D (Design, Calculation, Documentation) and Classification Level CL 1 (highest safety level) according to EN 15085-2 – the standard for welding railway vehicles and components – documents the company's outstanding competence in welding technology. Given the stringent safety requirements and the public importance of railway vehicles, this proof is indispensable for manufacturers and suppliers. The audit and certification were conducted by the Styrian company SteelCERT.

High competence in simulation, design, and manufacturing

“With our engineering team, we are setting benchmarks,” says Martin Joch, CEO of PJ Messtechnik GmbH, with pride. “The recently achieved EN 15085-2 certification is a visible signal that we meet the highest requirements in welding technology. Together with the NAFEMS membership, we demonstrate our quality in simulation, design, and manufacturing at an internationally recognized level. This is how we create maximum safety, cost-effectiveness, and innovative power for our customers.”

The combination of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and welding technology allows PJM to take a holistic approach to projects. This results in component solutions that excel in quality and can be implemented economically. With this integrated approach, which closely interlocks theory and practice – design and manufacturing – PJM ensures the high quality and future viability of its products in the rail sector while simultaneously proving its competence as an accredited testing laboratory and engineering partner.

Photo from left to right:
Martin Joch (CEO, PJM), Clemens Holler (Lead Auditor, SteelCERT), Wolfgang Konrad (Head of Calculation, PJM), Marius Müller (Project Management, PJM), Gerald Pudgar (Quality Management, PJM)

NAFEMS-Mitgliedschaft-PJ-Messtechnik-Schweisszertifizierung

General - 01/14/2026

Looking back and moving forward: Together into a great 2026

An eventful 2025 has come to a close – our highlight video takes you on a journey through the most significant milestones and achievements of the past 12 months.

Now it's time to look forward: We are entering the new year with full energy and fresh ideas. We look forward to realizing new visions together with you, strengthening future-oriented collaborations, and continuing our shared success story!

General - 01/07/2026

The new Koralm Tunnel is here! PJM was already in action for test and measurement runs.

December 12 is a big day: the Koralm Tunnel is officially open, bringing Graz and Klagenfurt much closer together! We congratulate everyone involved on this milestone, which will strengthen Austria's position in international freight and passenger transport in the long term.

We have also already been in action in the tunnel: our team carried out important test and measurement runs in advance to collect essential data for technical conformity and approval. The video provides a brief insight into this.

We are delighted to have been part of the success story of this high-performance corridor and look forward to our future assignments on this extraordinary route!

General / News - 12/12/2025

Double future momentum: PJM sets the tone at important industry meetings

The PJM team was represented at two major rail transport events in Aachen and Vienna, hence making a contribution to the most important future topics in the industry: digitalization, efficiency, and coping with rising demand.

IRSA Aachen: Focus on infrastructure and digitalization

The 5th International Railway Symposium Aachen (IRSA) took place from November 19 to 20. The renowned forum, which brought together around 250 international experts, focused on the effects of climate change and the mobility transition on the rail system.

Matthias Zelinka (PJ Messtechnik) enriched the discussion with an exciting presentation on a simulation model for the interaction between pantographs and overhead lines.

VPI Vienna: Freight transport of the future

At the same time, an information event organized by VPI Austria (an Association of Private Freight Wagon Interested Parties) in Vienna also addressed the challenges in rail transport and logistics.

For almost 100 participants from Austria and abroad, there were numerous presentations, one of which was given by Günter Petschnig (CEO PJ Monitoring). He showed how digital train functions enhance rail freight’s safety and cost-effictiveness, attractiveness and sustainability.

General / News - 11/28/2025

INFRATRACK – a new company in the PJM Group

PJM und Boom Software utilising the connecting railway of a decommissioned coal-fired power station as a test site for innovations in the rail industry. This purpose has led to the foundation of the joint venture INFRATRACK Solutions.

The two railway specialists Boom Software AG and PJ Messtechnik GmbH have taken over the connecting railway line at the Mellach Verbund power plant site. This cooperation will allow the existing rail infrastructure of the decommissioned coal-fired power plant to be used more intensively, particularly for testing purposes.

Located in the immediate vicinity of Graz and the new Koralmbahn railway line, as well as the two Styrian companies, the site will be home to innovations and further developments in the railway sector, particularly in the fields of measurement and testing technology and software.

The optimally located and equipped connecting railway line provides an ideal environment for testing rail vehicles and components. The range of activities extends from physical asset inspections to sensor- and software-based testing.

Image:
The new company's managing directors Andreas Schaller (left) and Martin Joch (right)

Press release

General / News / Presseberichte - 11/13/2025

Innofreight developed a highly innovative bogie design PJM carried out structural analysis, laboratory tests and dynamic track tests

PJ Messtechnik, an accredited test center in accordance with ISO/ IEC 17025, was commissioned by Innofreight to carry out all the necessary steps for the approval of the innovative Y25 bogie. Innofreight develops freight wagons, containers and unloading systems and operates 22,000 containers and 3,500 wagons in 20 countries. The Y25 bogie completes the extensive portfolio of the Austrian freight wagon specialist.

The specifications for the new bogie were demanding: the bogie frame was to be manufactured fully automatically and designed to withstand the highly dynamic loads over 5 decades. Due to the expertise of the PJM team, the task was solvable. The structural analysis was carried out using the latest simulation and assessment methods. On the one hand, the standard loads were extended by the results of MBS simulations. On the other hand, the weld seam assessment was carried out using the effective notch stress concept to improve the prediction accuracy and thus enable lightweight construction.

PJ Messtechnik implemented the entire validation program in accordance with EN 13749 on the fully developed bogie frame:

Structural analysis
Static and fatigue laboratory tests at the Institute for Structural Durability and Railway Technology at Graz University of Technology
Track tests under extreme conditions to validate the design loads

The result:

The bogie frame is manufactured 100% by welding robots.
The weight has been reduced by 25% compared to conventional designs, while at the same time increasing durability. As a result, the load capacity can be increased by 500 kg in future, which means lower costs and greater efficiency combined with greater robustness.
Further advantages include less wear on the wheelsets and better braking performance.

Short video about the project

Press release

General / News / Presseberichte - 10/03/2025

Stronger together: PJM and Ingenieurbüro Rörden combine their expertise and found EMC Rail Services

Two industry experts are joining forces: Ingenieurbüro Rörden and PJM have launched the subsidiary EMC Rail Services GmbH. The German company is a specialist in EMC testing in the rail sector, and the Austrian company PJ Messtechnik is an established testing centre for rail vehicles. Now, they have bundled their expertise and thus create an even more powerful testing service. The focus of the newly founded EMC Rail Services are EMC measurements (electromagnetic compatibility).

EMC tests ensure that electrical and electronic systems work without interference both in the vehicle (e.g. locomotive, wagon) and with the infrastructure (e.g. level crossing system, railway radio, signalling). This ensures that no unauthorized electromagnetic interference occurs and that the systems are protected from external influences.

Safety and operational reliability have top priority in rail operations. Electromagnetic interference must never trigger false signals or lead to the failure of critical systems such as brakes. At the same time, modern rail systems are becoming increasingly complex and electronic. As a result, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is becoming increasingly important - and with it the need for testing services.

This is where EMC Rail Services provides its services: Ingenieurbüro Rörden GmbH, based in Dortmund (Germany), is an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited test centre and has extensive expertise in measurement technology, approval support and technical testing in the field of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). PJ Messtechnik GmbH, based in Graz (AT), is an accredited test centre confirmed by ISO/IEC 17025 standard for brake tests, vehicle dynamics, fatigue strength, aerodynamics, acoustics and pantographs.

The partnership allows two testing laboratories to combine their service portfolios and pool expertise and resources, thus creating a clear advantage for customers. The focus is on the Austrian market as well as the neighbouring countries to the south and east. The new company's testing services include:

Radiated electromagnetic disturbances
Radio protection
Human exposure
Compatibility with track circuits
Compatibility with axle counters / sensors

Press Release

General / News / Presseberichte - 08/04/2025

New test area: PJM accredited for pantograph

PJM has expanded its scope as an accredited test center in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 and now also tests the dynamic interaction between pantograph and overhead contact line. In addition to measurements in accordance with EN 50317, the accreditation also includes simulations in accordance with EN 50318, making PJM the only company in Austria with accreditation for the specialist area of pantographs.

Over the past two years, the Austrian system specialist has invested in the infrastructure of the new department. The pantograph test rig for calibrating the measuring system - as well as the technical equipment for other areas - has been set up at the company's site in Graz. Extensive tests in the wind tunnel have proven that the measuring system is non-reactive. With the existing measuring equipment, tests can be carried out with up to two measuring pantographs, which means that multiple-unit operations can also be realised. The requirements for the interaction between pantographs and the overhead contact line system of the new service jet for ÖBB had been tested in summer (as announced in the media release: https://pjm.co.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PI-PJM-Servicejet-6-2024-DE-Web2.pdf). In the coming weeks, the measurement technology team will be testing another rail vehicle in single and multiple-unit operations.

‘Due to decarbonisation, the focus will be on electric rail vehicles in the future. With its corresponding expertise and infrastructure, PJM is ideally positioned for the new specialist area,’ says Martin Joch, CEO of PJ Messtechnik GmbH. With the new specialist area, PJM offers several advantages for clients, such as the efficient sequence of the various tests for rail vehicles. The expertise in the area of simulations offers particular added value: ‘Simulations significantly minimise the testing effort for multiple tractions. Theoretical calculations allow the large number of variants to be reduced to relevant train combinations, which are then tested in dynamic track tests. This saves valuable time and reduces costs,’ says Martin Joch.

Get more details in the media release

General / News - 11/08/2024

Testing the fatigue strength of a container freight wagon at MFL

The fatigue strength tests are used to check that the rail vehicle can withstand the operational loads. There are different test methods for determining the operational strength, such as static tests or impact tests. An important part of this is the pressure frame test, in which the vehicle frame is subjected to loads in an empty and loaded state. The mobile compression frame has proved particularly effective in this respect. With PJM's own development, it is possible to carry out the tests directly at the manufacturer's premises and to use the infrastructure on site or in the vicinity. This was recently the case at Maschinenfabrik Liezen, which offers a perfect infrastructure. For an Italian wagon manufacturer, fatigue tests according to EN 12663 were carried out with the mobile pressure frame.

Short video on the tests: https://youtu.be/qoLnUP4iJEk

General - 08/08/2023

New 80ft InnoWaggon Sggns: PJM carried out overall accreditation tests

When it comes to further development or new concepts, rail logistics specialist Innofreight is an important address. Recently, the wagon fleet was expanded by a one-piece 80ft InnoWaggon Sggn. Less wagon weight but more train load were the requirements to make rail transport even more economical and efficient for Innofreight customers. For the overall approval, the company relied on PJM expertise. The various tests were evaluated in several stages:

Fatigue strength: The strength tests were carried out by the PJM engineering experts according to EN 12663. Another task of the engineering team was to optimize the strength. The static tests were carried out by means of a mobile pressure frame at the site of MFL Liezen. The buffing impact tests took place mainly in St. Michael, not far from Innofreight's headquarters.
Brakes: The static and dynamic tests according to TSI WAG:2020 were also carried out in the St. Michael area. The uncoupling tests were carried out with various loading conditions.
Acoustics: The acoustic measurements according to TSI NOI 2014/1204/EU were used to determine pass-by noise, rail roughness and track decay rate.

This project included two novelties:

Uncoupling device: For the first time, a new device developed by PJM was used for the suspension tests. The new component has proven itself very well since it is lighter, smaller and easier to operate.
Solar energy: The measuring instruments were supplied with energy by means of a solar panel. The panel can be set up in just a few steps and provides sufficient power for the measurement tests in good weather.

Get the full medie release:

https://pjm.co.at/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/PI-Innofreight-PJM-03-2023-Web-EN.pdf

News - 03/16/2023