There is much going on in the world of fluid power and motion control from technology introductions and industry advancements to new trends and industry leaders. To keep our readers as informed as possible, the Power & Motion team has collected some of the latest news which could be pertinent to their work.
Keep an eye out for a new edition each week to ensure you stay up to date on what's happening in the world of fluid power and motion control.
HAWE Electrification Subsidiary Receives Rebranding, Increased Production Capacity
HAWE Hydraulik will now provide customers with expertise in hydraulics as well as electrification as the company has chosen to bring its HAWE Mattro Gmbh subsidiaryunder a single brand name. This will help provide unified branding for the company and its products.
HAWE Mattro was acquired in 2019 and is focused on the design of electromobility products for off-highway equipment. Along with electric components the company also provides design expertise to help OEM customers with their electrification efforts.
In addition, the company will be moving its electrification subsidiary to a larger and more modern production facility in Schwaz, Austria. At the new facility the company will produce battery packs, battery systems and matching battery management systems. New products will be added, as well as they are developed.
IVECO Forms MOU to Develop Electromobility Solutions in Europe
Commercial vehicle manufacturer IVECO, part of Iveco Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with energy company Enel X to collaborate on e-mobility solutions in Europe. The focus will be on light commercial vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles and buses. According to IVECO, the companies will evaluate use of IVECO's electric trucks in Enel's fleet to aid its decarbonization efforts as well as new opportunities in other transport sectors.
Among the e-mobility solutions under consideration for development is charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles. This is currently an area in which the industry is challenged as more infrastructure will be necessary to increase market uptake of electric powered vehicles, and chargers capable of working with heavier vehicles in particular are needed.
IVECO and Enel X plan to combine their expertise to evaluate how Enel X's charging technology works with IVECO's electric vehicles. There is also the possibility of joint development of advanced technologies and services such as smart charging and vehicle-to-grid technology.
"We have embarked on a path towards zero CO2 emissions, where electrification is a fundamental enabler for achieving the objectives of the entire commercial vehicle sector," commented Luca Sra, president, Truck Business Unit, Iveco Group, in the company's press release announcing the collaboration. "We are fully committed to this path, and the MoU that we are signing with Enel X marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration for IVECO with one of the most advanced players in the energy sector. We are confident that this will create opportunities to further accelerate the energy transition we are driving."
igus Becomes Strategic Partner of Smart Factory Institute
igus has announced its naming as a strategic technology partner of the Smart Factory Institute located in the U.S. in Chattanooga, Tenn. The goal of the institute is to provide remote and online training for manufacturers. It is part of a network of international academies operated by Deutsche Messe Technology Academy in Germany which is a joint project of Deutsche Messe and Volkswagen Group Academy.
Strategic Partners of the institute offer ideas and solutions manufacturers can utilize to increase productivity. Areas of focus are automation, robotics and Industry 4.0.
As a technology partner, igus' products will be on display at the institute's exhibition space. igus says its exhibit will provides visitors the opportunity to test ideas and design concepts. The company also plans to participate in online and in-person events with institute.
AEM Seeks Hall of Fame Nominations
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is currently seeking nominations for the AEM Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognizes those in the heavy equipment industry who have provided inventions, leadership and courage which helped to advance the industry.
Each year the association looks to honor those who have helped advance the equipment manufacturing industry. In 2021, Bryn Fosburgh of Trimble was inducted for his work in co-developing the real-time kinematic technology used in GPS receivers to know locate objects—such as phones and large tractors—within inches and seconds.
AEM is currently looking for nominations of the 2022 Hall of Fame. Nominations can be submitted online at AEM's website.
Solectrac Expands Production to Meet Demand for Electric Tractors
Electric tractor manufacturer Solectrac is moving to a new 36,000 sq. ft. facility in California. Doing so will help the company meet growing demand for its electric tractors. The new facility is up and running and expected to be running at full capacity by June 2022.
More assembly lines will be a feature of the new facility to help expand the company's tractor lineup. There will also be space for spare parts and office workers to meet the needs of an expanding team.
Solectrac's e25 electric tractor will be produced at the new facility as well as the next-generation e70 which is expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2022.
"With the global agriculture market continuing its transition to electrification, we are pleased to expand our facilities so we can continue to scale up our operations, delivering best-in-class electric tractors to hobby farmers, vintners, rural lifestylers, commercial farmers and multi-acreage landowners," said Mani Iyer, chief executive officer of Solectrac, in the company's press release announcing the new facility.
Atlantic Hydraulic Systems Appoints Christina Chapman Project Manager for NASA Project
Atlantic Hydraulic Systems is developing components that will be used for the NASA Mobile Launcher 2 (ML2) Hydraulics Systems Project. These will be utilized for NASA's rocket program which aims to send the first woman to the moon, with the goal of doing so by 2024.
Atlantic has named Christina Chapman project manager for this effort. "I have been able to jump right into new, exciting projects in my short time at Atlantic, like the ML2 Launcher unit. I am looking forward to continuing to grow my skill set and knowledge with the team at Atlantic," she said in the press release announcing her appointment as project manager for the NASA collaboration.
Although the project is classified, the company says the hydraulic systems under development are designed to "supply the launch actuators with high pressure hydraulic fluid during the liftoff sequence" states Atlantic in its press release.
Torc Robotics Opens Tech Center in Stuttgart
Autonomous trucking company Torc Robotics, a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks, is opening a technology and software development center in Stuttgart, Germany. The company says this will enable it to access talent in a region of Germany known for its automotive development. This will aid Torc Robotics with its further development of SAE Level 4 self-driving trucks.
The facility is in close proximity to an existing Daimler R&D facility and the Daimler Truck headquarters.
"Stuttgart is known as an area with a wealth of automotive and autonomous vehicle expertise. We hope to leverage this significant talent pool to meet our commercialization goals and support our mission of increased safety and efficiency," said Torc Vice President of Engineering Mike Avitabile, in the company's press release announcing the new facility. "Collaboration thrives because of the partnership with Daimler Truck. Combining Daimler Truck's experience with Torc's expertise in automated vehicle software and automated truck systems will help accelerate bringing our product to market."
Torc Robotics and Daimler have been collaborating on development of autonomous trucks for the past several years, and in 2019 Daimler Truck invested a majority share in Torc. The companies have been testing autonomous trucks on roadways in the U.S. and continue to expand its operations.
Torc Robotics is headquartered in Virgina; a facility was recently opened in Austin, Tex., and a test facility was opened in Albuquerque, N.M. in 2020.
