Schaeffler, the motion technology company, and Swedish startup H2 Green Steel have decided to intensify their already close partnership. The two companies made the decision in the course of a recent equity funding round, in which Schaeffler agreed to invest a further 65 million euros, a significant increase that takes its total stake to 100 million euros. That’s the most equity Schaeffler has ever put into a minority stake in another company. As a strategic technology partner of H2 Green Steel, Schaeffler will channel its know-how into the development of new steel products, such as green e-steel for electromobility. In addition, the two companies will jointly develop new applications for the use of sustainable rolling bearing solutions in production. The aim is to maximize the efficiency of production through the use of first-rate components and integrated condition monitoring solutions. The two companies will also benefit from each other’s expertise in the areas of digitalization and circular economy.

Iwis Mobility Systems GmbH & Co KG and THIEN eDrives GmbH recently announced a cooperation to develop, market and produce projects involving electric drive systems for the automotive industry. THIEN eDrives specializes in the development and production of electrical systems consisting of motor and inverter, while Iwis manufactures precision chain systems.

Siemens Mobility and ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) are digitizing the Austrian rail network to further enhance the attractiveness of public transport. ÖBB is aiming to double the capacity of Austria’s entire rail system by 2040 to cope with increasing passenger numbers. This goal is now a bit closer: The most modern technology for railway operations – the digital European Train Control System ETCS – has now been implemented and commissioned on the 57-kilometer route between Linz and Vöcklabruck. The system controls distances between trains, as well as their direction and speed in real time. This enables the route to carry more passengers and freight, and ensures that the trains run more reliably, punctually, and safely. 

In lithium-ion batteries, higher energy density increases the risk of thermal runaway. As a preventive measure, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has developed thermal barriers that help to slow down thermal runaway by increasing resistance to propagation. The new 3D thermal barriers can be used at various positions within the battery and have already proven reliable in their initial series productions.

Intelligent power management company Eaton has announced a new name for its Vehicle Group and eMobility businesses. Eaton’s Mobility Group represents the company’s focus on providing solutions across the propulsion spectrum and meeting the evolving needs of its customers from internal combustion to electrified or a combination of both.

KISSsoft helped AGH Racing students in Poland develop steering column gears in the RTC7.0 race car powered by an internal combustion engine. Then they used the software to develop a gearbox for their new electric AWD drivetrain in the upcoming RTE3.0 car. Most importantly, they could optimize the micro geometry of the gears and analyze the influence of different factors on the durability of the gear tooth. KISSsoft made it easier to apply quick changes in the project, as it adapts other tooth geometry to the ones they were working on.

SKF recently announced a supplier agreement with Lilium, developer of the first all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jet. SKF has supported Lilium on the design of electric motor bearings for the Lilium Jet’s electric engine and has agreed to support the program by producing electric motor bearings for the type-conforming aircraft.

Alpha Trains, the leading locomotive and trains lessor in Europe, has awarded Siemens Mobility a long-term service and maintenance contract. The contract covers the complete maintenance of Vectron locomotives over a period of 15 years, including revisions at the Siemens Rail Service Center in Munich-Allach. Maintenance of the locomotives will be tailored to their operation and carried out as needed in thirteen different countries at the Siemens Mobility Service facilities located along the major trans-European rail corridors. 

ZF recently unveiled its self-developed thermal management system for electric vehicles at its annual Global Technology Day demonstration event. The new system not only offers a more compact design of the drive but can also increase the range of vehicles in winter by up to one third. In combination with an optimized electric drivetrain consisting of power electronics, motor and reduction gearbox based on 800-volt silicon carbide, the system sets new standards in compactness and weight. The newly developed powertrain software also makes a significant contribution to higher efficiency.

DELO has developed its first dual-curing, high-temperature adhesive for electric motor applications. Delo Dualbond HT2990 is designed for use in multiple processes, including magnet bonding and magnet stacking in electric motor manufacturing.