[ CASE STUDY ]
HiRail Leasing
Mechanical Design Standardization & Custom Truck Configuration
HiRail Leasing, based in Ontario, Canada, specializes in converting standard truck chassis — from Ford F350s to Freightliner 10-wheelers — into rail-ready maintenance vehicles for Canadian National (CN). ONMOTIO stepped in to elevate their design workflows, ensuring compliance with PDM best practices, regulatory standards, and industry expectations, while playing a hands-on role in mechanical integration, weight & balance analysis, and manufacturing support.
Design Standardization
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, standardized configuration drawings defining truck lengths, components, and weight distribution, regulatory-compliant drawing templates aligned with industry standards for rail safety approvals, and improved version control preventing outdated specs from being used in production.
Hydraulic & Electrical Systems
Rail maintenance trucks require complex hydraulic and electrical systems for their onboard equipment. We designed hydraulic systems ensuring proper power distribution for onboard cranes and hydraulic stabilizers. Electrical integration covered control panels, safety systems, auxiliary lighting, and signaling for rail operation. Compatibility validation ensured all systems worked seamlessly within HiRail's truck platforms.
Manufacturing & Visualization
To enhance production efficiency, we provided manufacturing drawings and assembly manuals, on-site process assessment to refine assembly methods and workflow, and training on CN's newly required engineering standards. High-fidelity 3D product renders, exploded views, and configuration-based renders were developed for technical validation and stakeholder communication.
Results & Impact
ONMOTIO played a critical role in helping HiRail Leasing evolve from a manual, artisan process to a structured, design-driven operation. Key achievements include upgraded design standards meeting CN's documentation and compliance requirements, standardized configuration drawings improving accuracy and repeatability, optimized weight and balance calculations ensuring safety on rail operations, and improved manufacturing efficiency through process refinement and training.
Key Features
PDM System Implementation: Structured tracking of configurations, drawings, and revisions for regulatory compliance.
Weight & Balance Optimization: Ensuring trucks meet rail safety load standards across multiple chassis platforms.
Hydraulic & Electrical Integration: Complex systems for onboard cranes, stabilizers, and auxiliary functions.
Process Milestones
Design Standardization
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, standardized configuration drawings defining truck lengths, components, and weight distribution, regulatory-compliant drawing templates aligned with industry standards for rail safety approvals, and improved version control preventing outdated specs from being used in production.
Hydraulic & Electrical Systems
Rail maintenance trucks require complex hydraulic and electrical systems for their onboard equipment. We designed hydraulic systems ensuring proper power distribution for onboard cranes and hydraulic stabilizers. Electrical integration covered control panels, safety systems, auxiliary lighting, and signaling for rail operation. Compatibility validation ensured all systems worked seamlessly within HiRail's truck platforms.
Manufacturing & Visualization
To enhance production efficiency, we provided manufacturing drawings and assembly manuals, on-site process assessment to refine assembly methods and workflow, and training on CN's newly required engineering standards. High-fidelity 3D product renders, exploded views, and configuration-based renders were developed for technical validation and stakeholder communication.
Results & Impact
ONMOTIO played a critical role in helping HiRail Leasing evolve from a manual, artisan process to a structured, design-driven operation. Key achievements include upgraded design standards meeting CN's documentation and compliance requirements, standardized configuration drawings improving accuracy and repeatability, optimized weight and balance calculations ensuring safety on rail operations, and improved manufacturing efficiency through process refinement and training.
Key Features
PDM System Implementation: Structured tracking of configurations, drawings, and revisions for regulatory compliance.
Weight & Balance Optimization: Ensuring trucks meet rail safety load standards across multiple chassis platforms.
Hydraulic & Electrical Integration: Complex systems for onboard cranes, stabilizers, and auxiliary functions.
Process Milestones
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