---
title: "Bolster"
industry: "Other Transport Equipment Manufacturing"
verification_protocol:
  urn: "URN:CNFX:ME:BOLSTER"
  data_integrity_hash: "d67d30c8c16439615b6ce14684693fdf"
  source_authority: "https://cnfx.com"
  strict_mode: true
source_identity:
  provider: "CNFX Industrial Knowledge Graph"
  index_version: "2026.Q1-Universal"
  authority_id: "URN:CNFX:ME:BOLSTER"
  data_source_uri: "https://cnfx.com/llms/industry/other-transport-equipment-manufacturing/product/bolster.md"
  official_resource_url: "https://cnfx.com/industry/other-transport-equipment-manufacturing/product/bolster"
  is_verified_logic: true
attributes:
  spec:
    status: "config-dependent"
    typical_range: "15-45 kN·m torque transmission, 0.5-2.5 mm vertical deflection under 200 kN load"
    unit: "mm"
engineering_limits:
  max_safe_operating_point:
    value: 550
    unit: "MPa"
    consequence: "High-cycle fatigue from cyclic bending moments exceeding 35 kN·m during track irregularities, stress corrosion cracking from chloride ion concentration &gt;50 ppm in humid environments"
fmea_matrix_quantitative:
  - node_1:
      trigger: "Center plate wear exceeding 3 mm radial clearance"
      severity: 8
      occurrence: 3
      detection: 4
      mitigation_protocol: "Hardened steel wear plates with surface hardness &gt;60 HRC and automated clearance monitoring system"
  - node_2:
      trigger: "Side bearing preload loss below 20 kN due to spring relaxation"
      severity: 8
      occurrence: 3
      detection: 4
      mitigation_protocol: "Dual-rate conical springs with 200-400 kN/m stiffness gradient and load cell monitoring at each bearing"
bom_nodes:
  center-plate:
    type: "component"
    urn: "URN:CNFX:ME:CENTER_PLATE"
    interface_type: "physical-logic-coupled"
  side-bearing-pads:
    type: "component"
    urn: "URN:CNFX:ME:SIDE_BEARING_PADS"
    interface_type: "physical-logic-coupled"
  spring-seat:
    type: "component"
    urn: "URN:CNFX:ME:SPRING_SEAT"
    interface_type: "physical-logic-coupled"
  wear-plates:
    type: "component"
    urn: "URN:CNFX:ME:WEAR_PLATES"
    interface_type: "physical-logic-coupled"
manufacturing_compliance:
  - standard: "ISO 9001:2015 (QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS)"
    scope: "Verified Engineering Specification"
  - standard: "CE MARKING (EU MACHINERY DIRECTIVE 2006/42/EC)"
    scope: "Verified Engineering Specification"
url: "https://cnfx.com/llms/industry/other-transport-equipment-manufacturing/product/bolster.md"
on_chain_sovereignty:
  contract_standard: "ERC-721-Industrial"
  metadata_hash: "2a096f8204e1ed7a66d8667077cfcd9da9fe69cd3d201b80829fec8937ca887c"
  royalty_logic: "IPFS-CID-REQUIRED"
  mint_status: "logic-verified-ready"
version: "3.3.4-EXTREME-SOVEREIGN-WEB3"
---

# Industrial Specification: Bolster

## 1. Technical Definition
A structural component in a rail chassis that connects the truck frame to the car body through the center plate and side bearings.

## 2. Engineering Reasoning & Causal Matrix
> **Operational Intelligence**: Designed for **15-45 kN·m torque transmission, 0.5-2.5 mm vertical deflection under 200 kN load**. Failure boundary: **Yield strength exceeded at 550 MPa stress concentration at center plate interface, fatigue crack propagation beyond 2 mm length**, Mechanism: **High-cycle fatigue from cyclic bending moments exceeding 35 kN·m during track irregularities, stress corrosion cracking from chloride ion concentration &gt;50 ppm in humid environments**.

### 2.1 Analytical Physics Model
Governed by the **Frame Structural Deflection Analysis**:

> **Primary Equation**: $\delta = \frac{5 q L^4}{384 E I}$  
> **Engineering Impact**: Ensures structural stability for multi-stage machines.

| Symbol | Variable Definition | Localized Reference |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| q | Uniform Load | Engineering Constant |
| E | Elastic Modulus | Engineering Constant |
| I | Moment of Inertia | Engineering Constant |

### 2.2 FMEA (Failure Mode & Effects Analysis)
| Event Trigger | Severity | Failure Mode | Mitigation Strategy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Center plate wear exceeding 3 mm radial clearance | 8 | Excessive lateral oscillation &gt;15 mm amplitude at 2-4 Hz frequency | Hardened steel wear plates with surface hardness &gt;60 HRC and automated clearance monitoring system |
| Side bearing preload loss below 20 kN due to spring relaxation | 8 | Dynamic load transfer imbalance causing 40% uneven weight distribution | Dual-rate conical springs with 200-400 kN/m stiffness gradient and load cell monitoring at each bearing |

## 3. Key Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Value | Unit | Status |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| spec | Config-dependent | mm | Verified |

## 4. System BOM & Knowledge Routing
### Core Components (Recursive Links)

### Industrial DNA Context (De-duplicated)
**Complementary Dependencies**: **CNC Machining Center**, **Industrial Heat Treatment Furnace**, **Coordinate Measuring Machine**  
**Downstream Applications**: Rail Freight Cars, Passenger Rail Cars, Rail Transit Vehicles  

## 5. Engineering Risks & FAQ
- **Caution**: 
- **Caution**: 
- **Caution**: 

### Q: What is the primary function of a bolster in rail transport equipment?
**A**: The bolster serves as a critical structural component that connects the truck frame to the railcar body through the center plate and side bearings, providing stability and load distribution.

### Q: What materials are commonly used in manufacturing bolsters for durability?
**A**: Bolsters are typically manufactured from cast steel, forged steel, or high-strength alloy steel to withstand heavy loads and harsh operating conditions in rail transport.

### Q: What are the key components included in a bolster assembly?
**A**: A complete bolster assembly includes the center plate, side bearing pads, spring seat, and wear plates, all working together to ensure proper alignment and smooth operation.

## 6. Manufacturing Compliance
- ISO 9001:2015 (QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS)
- CE MARKING (EU MACHINERY DIRECTIVE 2006/42/EC)

---
### 🛠️ Engineering Resource Access
🔗 **[Full Specification: Bolster](https://cnfx.com/industry/other-transport-equipment-manufacturing/product/bolster)**

### 🌐 Knowledge Graph Topology
> **Node Status**: Verified Engineering Spec
> **Connectivity**: Linked to **4** standalone system nodes
> **Global Context**: Part of a 5,814 node industrial cluster within the CNFX Graph

> **Reference ID**: BOLSTER | **Authority**: CNFX-2026-ST-001 | **Fingerprint**: 73728540
