This Week in Power & Motion: Danfoss Editron Electric Converter Wins Innovation Award

There is much going on in the world of hydraulic, pneumatic and electric motion systems, from technology introductions and industry advancements to new trends and industry leaders. Each week the Power & Motion team collects the latest industry news to help keep our readers up to date on what's happening in the fluid power and electric motion control sectors as well as the industries they serve.

Registration Open for STLE Annual Meeting

The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) have announced registration is now open for its 2024 Annual Meeting & Exhibition taking place May 19-23 in Minneapolis, MN.

Each year this event brings together experts from the tribology and lubrication engineering field for technical training, education and networking. Over 500 technical presentations are planned and more than 100 exhibitors will showcase their solutions for this sector.

The 2024 event will also celebrate the 80th anniversary of STLE.

"This year, we’re excited to offer two new panel discussions on topics that are key to the tribology and lubrication engineering community," said Rebecca Lintow, CAE, STLE executive director, in the society's press release announcing the opening of registration. "One panel will highlight various sustainability topics from top industry experts, including standards, regulations, technologies, and best practices. The other panel will feature notable women in the lubrication industry and insights about their career paths and experiences."

Poclain Acquires Electric Motor Manufacturer

The Poclain Group has acquired a controlling stake in MOTEG, a Germany-based developer of electric motors. This will help to further expand Poclain's emobility offering.

In 2022, the company acquired EMSISO, a developer of inverters (electric motor controllers) and launched its first electrohydraulic hybrid solutions. With these acquisitions and developments Poclain aims to help its customers and the heavy equipment industry make the transition to 100% electric operation.

MOTEG's electric motors are used in buses, trucks and off-highway equipment which complements Poclain's product portfolio which serves these markets as well.

"This acquisition builds on our commitment to electric mobility, positioning us as the preferred partner for our clients who are obliged to cater to the growing needs of their markets," said Laurent Bataille, Poclain Chairman, in the company's press release announcing the acquisition.

Executives from Poclain and MOTEG celebrate the acquisition of the latter which will help to further expand the electromobility solutions offered by Poclain.

3DEO Forms New Partnership to Expand Use of Additive Manufacturing

3DEO — a design, engineering and metal additive manufacturing (AM) company — has formed a strategic partnership with IHI AEROSPACE Co. Ltd. (IA). The goal it so increase the adoption and implementation of additive manufacturing within IA's operations. IA has also made an investment in 3DEO as part of the agreement, demonstrating its belief in the capabilities of the company and AM technology.

For its part, 3DEO will provide its expertise in Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) and AM technology. Partnering with IA will show how AM can be a viable manufacturing technology for the aerospace industry.

"Working alongside IA presents an exceptional opportunity to apply our additive manufacturing technologies to the aerospace sector. It's a collaboration that stands to reduce time-to-market and drive innovation," said Payman Torabi, CTO and Co-founder of 3DEO, in the company's press release announcing the partnership.

Read our interview with 3DEO's President and co-founder Matt Sand to learn more about its DfAM capabilities.

The 3DEO Saffron printing platform will be used by IHI AEROSPACE Co., Ltd. along with the company's Design for Additive Manufacturing expertise to create parts for aerospace applications.

Danfoss Editron Wins AE50 Award

Danfoss Power Solutions' Editron, its division which develops technology for electric vehicles, has won a Davidson Prize in the AE50 Awards program for its EC-C1700B-420 electric converter.

The AE50 Awards are given out by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) to honor innovations in agricultural, food, and biological systems. Those who receive the Davidson Prize are selected from the top-scoring AE50 Award winners, representing the best of the year's newly introduced products and their potential positive impact on the agricultural industry. Danfoss received the award during AEM's Commodity Classic, an event focused on the agricultural market.

Editron's heavy-duty electric converter can be used with electric or hybrid drivetrains in various mobile machinery, harbor cranes and marine vessels. Per the company, it is designed specifically for the highly cyclical loads typical in heavy machinery. As such, it has a robust design capable of withstanding mechanical vibrations and shocks.

The converter features components capable of handling double the number of load cycles compared to those used in standard industrial inverters which suits their use in mobile machines such as agricultural equipment.

"We’re thrilled the EC-C1700 converter has been recognized as one of the year’s best innovations for the agriculture industry. The Davidson Prize is a nod to engineers like J.B. Davidson, the father of modern agricultural engineering, who aspire to find a better way. We believe the electrification of agriculture is that better way, and innovations such as our EC-C1700 converter can help accelerate the development of hybrid and fully electric machinery," said Markus Plassmann, Editron product portfolio manager, Danfoss Power Solutions, in the company's press release announcing its receipt of the award.

The Editron EC-C converters can control induction motors, permanent magnet motors, and reluctance-assisted permanent magnet motors with or without sensors.

Navistar Preparing for Customer Pilots of Autonomous Trucks

Heavy truck OEM Navistar Inc. is preparing to launch an autonomous commercial pilot program with customers. It is partnering with Plus, a developer of autonomous systems, to integrate its Level 4 autonomous SuperDrive technology stack into Navistar's International branded trucks.

Hub-to-hub operations are the initial use case in which the OEM sees use of autonomous trucks being the most viable. Currently, trucks equipped with Plus' autonomous driving technology are being validated with a safety driver in Texas and customer pilots are expected within the year. Commercial deployments will occur incrementally in startategic U.S. corridors.

The Plus Level 4 autonomous driving system is fully integrated into Navistar's International trucks and include maintenance, telematics, safety and reliability features to ensure optimized trucking operations.

"There is a strong business case for autonomous technology in the hub-to-hub distribution model, specifically in long-haul transportation where there's a compelling opportunity to increase operational efficiencies," said Tobias Glitterstam, chief Strategy and Transformation officer, Navistar, in the company's press release announcing the autonomous driving advancements. "Global partnership with a company like Plus allows us to leverage the technical strides they have made as we work together to focus on the commercial viability of Level 4 autonomous driving."