This Week in Power & Motion: Walvoil Launches Virtual Platform for Enhanced Product Insight
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 industry news.
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.
Concentric Hydraulics Division Announces Senior Leadership Change
Concentric AB has announced Jesse Smith, senior vice president of the Hydraulics division, has decided to leave the company as of June 10, 2022. The company is currently recruiting a successor.
"Ever since joining Concentric in 2007, Jesse has made a significant contribution to our Hydraulics business as general manager of our Rockford facility and latterly as SVP of the Hydraulics division, and we all wish him every success for the future. We expect to announce a permanent successor in the near future," said Martin Kunz, CEO of Concentric in the company's press release announcing Smith's departure.
Liebherr Camera and Display Aid Visibility for Potato Farmers
Liebherr-Component Technologies AG, the component segment of Liebherr Group which serves a variety of industries, has provided its MDC3 digital smart camera and DC5 display controller for use in agricultural OEM AVR's Puma 4.0 potato harvester.
Use of these advanced electronic components provides improved visibility for farmers operating the potato harvester. Up to 16 cameras can be equipped onto the machine, with images depicted on two 12 in. displays in the harvester's operator cab. With several cameras placed around the harvester, farmers can better "see" around their machine to ensure they can avoid any potential accidents.
Liebherr notes its camera is able to easily adapt to the various lighting conditions it may encounter, assuring optimal visibility. An integrated HDR function also provides high-contrast images to provide optimal visibility.
These types of technologies are beneficial not only for improving safety, but also for the journey toward further automation of systems and machines. Cameras play a large role in collecting information about the surrounding environment which can be fed to automated systems to assure safe operation.
Walvoil Launches Virtual Platform to Explore Product Offerings
Walvoil has launched a virtual platform on its website to provide an immersive experience in which visitors can learn more about the company and its products. The company has utilized the platform for webinars and training sessions, and is now making it accessible through its website for anyone who may be interested.
Accessible from Walvoil's website, the platform currently highlights hydraulic, electronic and mechatronic solutions for the main sectors it supports, including construction, agriculture, industrial vehicles, lifting and transport. Also highlighted is the Walvoil Test Department, enabling visitors to learn more about the company's R&D efforts.
The company plans to add more information and experiences to the platform in the future.
"Expect a constantly evolving environment, a space that grows and gradually will tell something more about the Walvoil Group, in Italy and around the world," said Andrea Ferrari, Walvoil Global Sales & Marketing director, in the company's press release announcing the new virtual platform. "An accessible space, a technology that, together with our partners, we have wanted and made simple that allows a more effective communication and interaction not only with our customers but also with the different Walvoil branches."
Aignep Acquires North American Subsidiary
Aignep Spa has acquired Alpha Technologies LLC, a subsidiary which has distributed the company's products in the North American market. The acquisition is expected to help strengthen Aignep's presence in the industrial automation sector while also enabling it to be more innovative and provide complete system solutions.
Graziano Bugatti, CEO of Aignep Spa, said during a visit to the Alpha Technologies facilities in Fairview, Tenn., there are plans to invest in infrastructure and workforce. The company's name will also be changed to Aignep USA Inc.
David Grabacki has been appointed CEO of Aignep USA and is currently working on a new business plan for the organization to aid further market growth.
Volvo CE Invests in Limach to Broaden Electromobility Portfolio
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has made a majority investment in a Dutch OEM specializing in electric excavators, Electric Special Technics B.V, which operates under the brand name Limach. The company says in its press release announcing the investment that doing so will help it to quickly broaden its line of electric equipment beyond the five compact machines currently available.
Limach is known for developing custom electric wheeled and crawler excavators powered by lithium-ion batteries for the Dutch market. Conventional Volvo CE machines are used as a base for its equipment designs.
Currently, Limach's product line includes machines of various sizes from a mini excavator with operating range of 1,810 kg up to an excavator with operating weight over 14,000 kg.
With the investment from Volvo CE, Limach will be able to scale up production and expand its range of electric excavators.
"Climate change is real and we believe collaborating in new ways is key to meet the growing demand for sustainable solutions," said Thomas Bitter, head of Technology at Volvo CE, in the company's press release. "As a leader in electric construction solutions, we see Limach as an interesting actor in a progressive market, and a great complement to our existing portfolio of electric machines, meaning our customers will benefit from a broader range to suit their requirements.
"Working together, and with our combined customer base, opens opportunities for co-learning and expanding experiences of these types of solutions, as we continue driving the transformation towards sustainable power sources."
Hyundai Building Dedicated EV and Battery Manufacturing Facilities in U.S.
Hyundai Motor Group has announced plans to build the company's first fully-electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facility in the U.S. The company says in its press release announcing the plan that building this dedicated facility will help it become a leader in electromobility in the U.S.
Approximately $5.54 billion will be invested in the establishment of the new facility, which is expected to break ground in early 2023. Commercial production of vehicles at the site is anticipated to occur in the first half of 2025; annual capacity will be in the range of 300,000 units.
Hyundai will form a strategic partnership for the battery manufacturing facility which it plans to announce details about at a later date.
Establishing these manufacturing facilities in the U.S. will enable the company to more easily serve local customers in the region and increase accessibility to its products for customers. Manufacturing batteries in the U.S. will help provide a more stable supply chain, as well.
The company is working together with the State of Georgia to establish its new facilities. They will be located on a dedicated 2,923-acre site in Bryan County, with immediate access to the I-95 and I-16 highways creating easy access to 250 major metro areas, states Hyundai in its press release. The site is also 50 km from the Port of Savannah, a large and growing container terminal in the U.S. which will aid logistics for the company.
Georgia was selected for the favorable business conditions, workforce opportunities, and the existing network of affiliates and suppliers for Hyundai Motor Group in the region. The company also notes the state is the Southeastern leader in electric vehicle registrations, and the state continues to make investments to support growing adoption of these vehicles.
Hyundai plans to incorporate advanced technologies in its new facilities including connected, automated and flexible manufacturing systems.
