Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies is broadening its Endurant family of transmission series by introducing the Endurant HD V transmission. It is designed for vocational truck applications with maximum gross combination weight ratings of 70,000 pounds (32,000 kg) using 9-liter, 11-liter, and the upcoming Cummins X10 engines. Maximum engine torque is 1,700 lbs.-ft. (2,300 Nm).

Updating existing rail vehicles with a modernized drivetrain helps to improve fleet efficiency while keeping costs and service interruptions down. This approach is known as “repowering”. At this year’s InnoTrans, the international trade show for transport technology, ZF and Irish Rail signed a Memorandum of Understanding about a potential new repowering project starting in 2025. The partnership revolves around ZF’s new EcoWorld 2 six-speed powershift transmission, which decreases fuel consumption, improves ride comfort and reduces maintenance efforts.

The family of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is facing intense scrutiny. A reporting rule will take effect in the United States in 2026, while Europe has actually been considering a sweeping, cross-industry ban on these substances since early last year. The implications of such a ban on fluoropolymers would be particularly critical, as a discontinuation of these high-performance materials would drastically impact many industries. But what kinds of challenges would emerge in the search for adequate substitutes? This was the focus of a recent study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials (IWM) in cooperation with materials experts from the Freudenberg Group.

Eaton will be displaying a number of transmissions for both traditional and electrified commercial vehicles at IAA Transportation, September 17–22, in Hannover, Germany. 

Liebherr will be sharing its latest news, products, services, and innovations for the mining sector at the world’s largest mining exhibition, MINExpo International, this September. Visitors will experience over 29,000 sq. ft of Liebherr exhibits at Booth #7832. Daily masterclasses and live demonstrations will take place at the Liebherr booth each day, showcasing the company’s latest product updates and providing insights into these technologies and services with the latest information from the field. 

Nowhere else in Europe were as many electric buses newly registered last year as in the UK. Out of 2,554 standard single- and double-decker buses, 1,150 were fitted with a purely electric drivetrain (BEV or FCEV). By comparison, in 2023 only 838 e-buses were registered in Germany, 743 in France, 563 in Norway and 410 in Italy. With UK bus manufacturers Alexander Dennis and Wrightbus fully embracing the VEDS (Voith Electrical Drive System), Voith has been instrumental in boosting the use of zero-emission public transport in the UK and Ireland. 

Mechanical and electronic engineering continues to play a significant role in the changing transportation landscape. Areas such as connected vehicles, autonomous driving, new components and software-designed modules will push the latest EV technologies for the next ten to 15 years. Mechatronics will play a pivotal role in these advancements. 

Eaton’s heavy-duty 4-speed electrified vehicle (EV) transmission was named a 2024 Automotive News PACEpilot Innovation to Watch at an awards ceremony on April 29. The recognition acknowledges post-pilot, pre-commercial innovations in the automotive and future mobility space. 

As engineers, we all know how to quickly create a sketch of a gearbox or transmission using a few lines. Using maybe black for shafts, green for bearings, blue for gears and red to indicate the power flow. We do this to remember a great idea, communicate with customers or to pass time waiting at an airport. 

KISSsoft emulates this approach in a much more orderly fashion. Using only the mouse, complex schematics can be drawn and edited, thereby converting the structure of a gearbox into a logical and 3D model. The schematic in the Sketcher also serves as a navigation and visualization tool and is complemented by an overview of some of the key data (e.g. module and number of teeth) of the components making up the gearbox.

Gear backlash in precision applications is a critical element of gear system performance. Too much backlash can result in inefficiencies of motion in the gear train and will ultimately damage a gear’s teeth. Too little can mean the gears bind up and cause excessive wear to the tooth’s surface and the root of the gear, or even the fracturing of a tooth. Establishing and setting the appropriate amount of backlash is essential in gear design and manufacturing, according to Berg, a Regal Rexnord Brand.