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Electrification has really brought ball bearings back into focus as the primary bearing in our drive systems. Some boxes have tapers on the slower shafts for stiffness and others are using a ball/cylindrical combo for efficiency. Regardless, we all face the same challenge on the primary shaft in dealing with the potential of 18,000–20,000+ rpm speeds coming out of the motor. Plenty of applications run 20,000 rpm; what makes the automotive motor unique is, in addition to speed, we are driving huge torques, frequent torque reversals and a huge range of temperatures both internally and geographically. Of course, this all needs to be suited for high-volume manufacturing as well. Adding full ceramic balls, a PEEK cage and a high precision classification is a really easy way to run greater than 20,000 rpm all day but is an expensive option. One bearing alone could hurt the cost competitiveness of your gearbox. In the case where a single bearing can change the landscape of your project, it is worth taking a little time to understand exactly what the drivers of our speed limitations are.
Electric steel is used heavily in the manufacturing of electric motors. The material is key to producing the electromagnetic field used to turn the rotor. Without the electromagnetic properties associated with this iron alloy, the performance of electric motors would be substantially compromised. Historically, motors used in commercial and industrial applications have represented a major customer base for electric steel suppliers, and motor vendors have resultingly had little difficultly ensuring prioritized supply lines. However, the share of business held by commercial and industrial electric motor vendors is being threatened by the automotive sector in the wake of electric vehicles.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently opened the second round of its Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE), providing point-of-sale discounts on off-road zero-emission equipment. The project is administered by CALSTART and has $125M in funding available, more than double the amount allocated to the project when it first launched in January 2020. Originally only for freight, in 2022, CORE is expanding to include funding for the commercial harbor craft and agriculture and construction sectors.
Siemens Mobility is presenting its new digital business platform Siemens Xcelerator at InnoTrans 2022. Siemens Xcelerator is an open digital business platform with the ambition to create a powerful ecosystem of partners who can jointly accelerate digital transformation and sustainability in mobility at scale. By opening interfaces for all participants of the mobility ecosystem, Siemens Xcelerator helps connect the real with the digital worlds – a first-of-its-kind innovation in the rail industry.
The engineering community is fascinated with big, shiny, yellow machines. Walk into any manufacturing facility around the globe and you’ll find guests huddled around the biggest, loudest, and most intimidating equipment on the shop floor. These large machines must play by the same rules as everybody else—they need to reduce energy consumption, lower plant costs, and increase productivity. Many power transmission component suppliers are tasked with optimizing this equipment.
Robotic applications in manufacturing need precise movement and positioning in manufacturing operations from teach pendant programming through full, automated production with exact sequential motion and timed positioning. Miki Pulley BXR Brakes apply holding torque after the motor joint stops and provides dynamic braking in the event of an emergency such as a power interruption.
Questex’s Sensors Converge recently announced it brought 5,000 attendees from over 40 countries together in-person June 27-29 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California to network, discover technologies, share ideas and define the future roadmap of the sensors and electronics industry.
As vehicles become increasingly electrified, automated, and software controlled, ZF is at the forefront of developing and industrializing advanced chassis systems with the industry’s most comprehensive offering of by-wire technologies that no longer require a mechanical connection or system fluids. A primary example is ZF’s steer-by-wire solution. ZF revealed that it has been awarded significant volume contracts by multiple major car manufacturers that will launch in all major regions as of 2023.
Voith is further expanding its expertise in the e-mobility sector for commercial vehicles. With the Voith Electrical Drive System (VEDS) and the Plug and Drive H2 storage system, the technology group is presenting two concepts at IAA Transportation 2022 that promote an economical and sustainable mobility shift for heavy-duty trucks and buses. “Alternative, sustainable drives are defining the discourse of the present and the technologies of the future. Even today, the result is an unprecedented variety of drive solutions. We are fulfilling these customer demands with a portfolio geared towards alternative drives,” says Martin Wawra, executive vice president and CEO Voith Turbo Mobility.