This Week in Power & Motion: Bosch Begins Volume Production for Fuel Cell Power Module
There is much going on in the world of hydraulics, pneumatics and electronics motion systems, from technology introductions and industry advancements to new trends and industry leaders. Each week the Power & Motion team collects some of the latest industry news to help keep our readers up to date on what's happening in the fluid power and motion control sectors as well as the industries they serve.
NFPA Adds Workforce Engagement Meeting at IEOC
The National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) has added an Illinois Workforce Engagement Group meeting to the agenda for its upcoming Industry & Economic Outlook Conference (IEOC) taking place August 15-16, 2023.
According to the NFPA, this networking opportunity is designed to be interactive and collaborative by providing an opportunity to identify, discuss and create NFPA member recruitment opportunities and youth outreach activities at middle schools, high schools, technical colleges, and universities involved with NFPA programs.
All NFPA members are invited to attend the meeting which will take place August 15 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Westin Chicago Northwest where the conference is being held. Special guests from Northern Illinois University and Triton College will attend and participate in the conversations.
Currently scheduled topics include:
- How to recruit from NFPA partner colleges / universities
- Student perspective on how members can connect with university students /Fluid Power Clubs/Vehicle Challenge teams
- Strategies members are using to hire students.
READ MORE: NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge Provides Real-World Engineering Experience
Trelleborg Receives Supplier Award
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has received a 2022 Masters of Quality Award from Daimler Truck North America (DTNA). The award honors component and service providers who have exceeded the OEM's outlined expectations.
In addition to meeting quality, delivery, technology and cost criteria set out by DTNA, suppliers must also demonstrate efforts to continuously improve their products as well as support and performance.
Trelleborg has been supplying DTNA with a custom axel gasket since 2021. This is the first time it has received the supplier award from Daimler which Jill St. John, Sales Engineer, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, said was possible by "[navigating] various challenges to get everything set up correctly including multiple shipping locations, warranty claims, valid quality certificates, and quick response to questions.”
Bosch Begins Production of Fuel Cell Power Module
Bosch has begun volume production of its fuel cell power module at its manufacturing facility in Stuttgart-Feuerbach. U.S.-based Nikola Corp., an OEM developing battery- and fuel cell-powered trucks, will be the first pilot customer, using the power module in its Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric truck. The truck is scheduled to enter the North American market in the second half of 2023.
Use of hydrogen fuel cells is growing, particularly in heavier duty vehicle applications where it is seen as a better option than batteries due to its longer range and higher power density. Bosch anticipates it will generate roughly 5 billion euros with its hydrogen technologies by 2030; the company develops products for the entire hydrogen value chain including the production of the fuel and its use in various applications. The company estimates by 2030, one in five new trucks over 6 tons will feature a fuel cell powertrain, demonstrating the growth it sees for this diesel alternative.
While the fuel cell module will be produced at Bosch's Stuttgart-Feuerbach facility, some of its components will come from other Bosch plants such as an electric air compressor and recirculation blower the plant in Homburg, Germany. The company is also starting production of the fuel cell modules at its facility in Chongqing, China; components will come from the Bosch plant in Wuxi.
The company plans to manufacture fuel cell stacks for mobile applications at its U.S. facility as well located in Anderson, SC.
“Bosch is one of the very few companies that are capable of mass producing technology as complex as fuel-cell stacks. We don’t just have the required systems expertise, but also the capability of quickly scaling up new developments to mass production,” said Markus Heyn, member of the Bosch board of management and chairman of Bosch Mobility, in the company's press release announcing the start of production for its fuel cell module.
RISE™ Robotics Reaches Design Milestones with Air Force
RISE™ Robotics has announced success in reaching milestones on two projects with the United States Air Force. The company says its Common Lifting Device (CLD) has been successfully accepted and delivered to the Air Force.
In August 2022, RISE announced the awarding of a contract to supply its CLD to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC). The CLD is designed to lift heavy loads with ease and is enabled by the RISE™ Cylinder technology — an electromechanical alternative to hydraulics which provides the same force but in a more efficient and precise manner. The Air Force uses the CLD to facilitate removal and installation of its Silent Knight Radar array on MC-130J aircraft.
After successful delivery to the Air Force, another 10 CLDs were accepted by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) inspection.
The company has also announced its Air Force TACFI MHU-83 project has passed the critical design review phase. Now the company will be able to move into the fabrication phase and create an initial prototype of teh MHU-83 arm utilizing the RISE Cylinder technology.
In spring 2022, RISE announced it would use its technology to help modernize the MHU-083 Jammer, a piece of ground support equipment utilized by the Air Force for transporting and lifting materials into aircraft.
By now moving into the fabrication phase, the company will be able to test its prototype in real-world conditions to aid with the final product design.
