This Week in Power & Motion: Nikola Begins Serial Production of Battery-Electric Trucks
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.
igus Adds New Geometries and Materials to FastLine Service
An expansion of igus' in-house toolmaking department has enabled the company to add new materials and geometries to its FastLine Service. FastLine is a service which allows customers to receive self-lubricating polymer components in special dimensions in 10-12 business days.
A variety of designs and materials are available and component dimensions can be tailored to meet customer's individual application requirements. Sleeve and flange bearings, thrust washers and piston rings are available in this line of products. It also now includes double flange clip bearings and conveyor rollers. All of these can be custom made and are injection molded; they are available in 28 iglide materials from igus.
New materials available through this service include iglide A250, a wear-resistant material specifically developed for conveyor rollers in the food industry. It conforms to FDA and EU10/2011 requirements and withstands speeds up to 1 m/s.
iglide AX500 is another new food-grade material now available through the FastLine Service. igus says this material is resistant to friction, heat and electrostatic charges. It can also come in contact with food products.
Danfoss Editron Power Electric Ferries in Auckland
Danfoss Power Solutions' Editron division is once again helping bring electrification to the marine sector. The company will provide the electric drivetrain components for two fully electric fast passenger ferries which will operate in Auckland, New Zealand.
Danfoss is providing the components as part of a memorandum of understanding with EV Maritime in which the companies will collaborate on electrifying passenger ferries around the world.
The company's EDITRON electronic and power management marine system will be used to power the ferries. This system is comprised of several electronic components developed and integrated by Danfoss Editron including:
- converters,
- propulsion machines,
- DC-link,
- transformers, and
- energy management system.
The system's electric motors will drive four jet propulsors, enabling efficient operation of the ferries. Danfoss says in its press release announcing the project it will also provide an independent battery connection for each battery string, delivering high efficiency and fully electric power to the motors regardless of the battery stage and voltage.
Use of the ferries will help Auckland Transport, which operates the vessels, achieve its target of having a 100% electric fleet by 2030. This will also enable the city of Auckland to reach its goal of electrifying passenger ferries by 2040.
In March 2022, Danfoss announced it would help power the first hybrid electric passenger ferries for use in London. It also recently expanded its partnership with engine manufacturer Volvo Penta to collaborate on electromobility projects in the marine sector.
Link Expands Footprint in Iowa and Michigan
Link Manufacturing Ltd.—a manufacturer of specialty-engineered suspensions, suspension controls and air management products—has opened two new facilities to help meet growing demand for its suspension control and air management products.
The company has added a 50,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and training facility in Sioux Center, IA, where the company is headquartered. This will be the manufacturing core for all of the company's mechanical and electronic air management products such as the SmartValve Electronic Height Control Systems and Smart Air Management Systems.
A new 15,000 sq. ft. facility in Grand Rapids, MI, will become Link's Suspension Controls Engineering Center focused on further developing its growing line of suspension control technologies. Staff at the Michigan facility offer expertise in electrical engineering, software development, testing and sales which will help expand the company's presence in this product area. The location also puts the company in proximity to industry talent and many major OEMs to which it supplies products.
New product testing and validation will be a core part of the Michigan facility's offerings, as well. The company has added new testing capabilities there including
- temperature and humidity cycle testing
- submersion testing
- tension elongation and compression testing
- pressure, leak and lifecycle testing and
- optical comparison testing.
Webasto Adds Battery Production in Indonesia
The Germany-based automotive supplier Webasto is expanding its presence in Indonesia by bringing production for its electromobility products to the region. The company has opened a new battery plant in South Korea and producing its first passenger car battery for Hyundai-Kia Motors Corp.
Indonesia, like many parts of the world, is moving toward use of more electric vehicles. By producing batteries and related components in the region, Webasto is better able to serve customers there through a localized supply chain.
Webasto has prototype centers in Hengersberg and Jiaxing which enable it to appropriately test its battery systems within the environments in which they will be utilized. This testing includes corrosion, leakage and thermal shock to validate individual components as well complete systems.
Oshkosh Invests in Robotic Research
Vehicle and equipment manufacturer Oshkosh Corp. has formed a strategic partnership and investment in Robotic Research, a developer of autonomous mobility and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Oshkosh says the partnership will help it to further accelerate development of autonomous vehicle and robotics offerings in the various industries it serves.
The companies first began working together in 2017 for U.S. Department of Defense projects focused on autonomy.
"With this strategic partnership, we position ourselves for continued growth within these critical and groundbreaking technologies," said John C. Pfeifer, Oshkosh Corporation president and chief executive officer, in the company's press release announcing the investment. "Together, our work will provide our customers with robust and functionally safe solutions along with a clear path to production that is unmatched in the industry."
Nikola Begins Serial Production of Battery-Electric Trucks
Nikola Corp., developer of battery- and fuel cell-powered trucks, has begun serial production of its Nikola Tre BEV (battery-electric vehicle). The company held a ceremony at its Coolidge, AZ, facility to commemorate the start of series production for the electric trucks.
The Nikola Tre BEV is powered by a 753 kWh battery pack which provides a range of up to 350 miles and continuous horsepower of 645. This helps to provide performance in regional applications similar to that of diesel powered trucks but at lower operating costs and with reduced emissions.
"We began production of the Tre BEV on March 21 here in Coolidge and today we're celebrating this milestone and the initial shipments of trucks to our customers," said Mark Russell, Nikola's Chief Executive Officer. "In 2022, we're moving forward with every aspect of our business. Next year, fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV) are planned to be added to the manufacturing mix. We are focused on delivering vehicles and generating revenue."
Current production capacity at the Arizona facility is 2,500 trucks. The company is constructing additional space which will add more production capacity, up to 20,000 trucks a year on two shifts. This next phase is expected to be completed in 2023. The company also has a manufacturing facility in Ulm, Germany, through its partnership with commercial vehicle OEM IVECO which can produce up to 2,000 trucks per year and expand up to 10,000.
In December 2021, Nikola delivered the first two Nikola Tre BEVs to customer TTSI. And in January of 2022 it began pilot operations of its FCEV with beer producer Anheuser-Busch where it is being utilized in daily operations for distribution.
ASME Expands Government Affairs Team, Begins Accepting Applications for Idea Lab Incubator
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has appointed Chris Connelly as senior director of government relations. In this role he will manage the organization's U.S. government relations team while also helping to develop and advocate for its public policy priorities said ASME in its press release announcing Connelly's new role.
Connelly brings several years' experience working with Congress, the White House and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"Chris Connelly brings a wealth of Washington knowledge and experience to his new role as an advocate of America’s mechanical engineers," said John Hasselmann, managing director of global public affairs at ASME, in the organization's press release. "He will be a great asset in our ongoing efforts to educate policymakers on key issues including clean energy, research and development, intelligent manufacturing, bioengineering, workforce development, and international standards."
"Innovation is the key ingredient in solving our national and global challenges, and I am thrilled to join ASME and help them empower the engineering community to do what they do best: solve problems," said Connelly. "It is an honor to join an organization that has been a leader on the cutting edge of progress, and I look forward to building on this legacy."
ASME has also announced it is now accepting applications for its Idea Lab incubator which is an extension of the organization's Innovation Showcase (ISHOW) hardware accelerator program. Per ASME, Idea Lab is open to individuals and teams who have identified a pressing social and/or environmental challenge they think could be addressed through a hardware-led innovation.
Applications must be submitted by June 6, 2022 at 5 p.m. EST.
ASME says the goal of the new program is to provide support for innovators through the initial phases of development—from concept to production of a low-fidelity prototype—and into the next stages, the ASME ISHOW accelerator. The initial cohort of Idea Lab candidates will receive guidance and mentorship from industry professionals on their innovations as well as access to design services and funding for prototyping.
