This Week in Power & Motion: Companies Expand Test Capacity for Battery-Electric Vehicles

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.

Yaskawa Motoman Expanding Robot Manufacturing Capabilities

Yaskawa America Inc., Motoman Robotics Division (Yaskawa Motoman), is expanding its headquarters in Miamisburg, OH, to increase production capacity for its robots. The company plans to add 185,000 sq. ft. of space which will almost double the size of its current production area and help it meet increasing demand for automation solutions.

According to Yaskawa, the additional space will be utilized to engineer, develop, integrate and build robotic systems as well as provide more space for retrofitting and rebuilding of previously deployed systems.

Steve Barhorst, President and COO of Yaskawa Motoman, said the expansion of the company's headquarters is the next step in its efforts to grow business in the Americas. "With labor shortages in the Americas, more companies are turning to automation to meet increased production demands and improve efficiencies. This addition will increase our capacity to support our continued record-breaking growth and enable us to reduce lead times and continue to deliver high quality, innovative robotic solutions to our valued customers and partners."

Construction on the expanded facility is anticipated to be completed by June 2024.

Motion Announces Executive Officer Promotions

Motion Industries Inc. (Mi) has promoted two of its company leaders to executive officer positions. Joe Limbaugh will step into the role of Executive Vice President - Chief Operations Officer and James Howe will become Executive Vice President – Chief Commercial Officer/Chief Technology Officer. Both will report to Randy Breaux, President of Motion.

In 2023, Limbaugh will celebrate 40 years with the company where he has held various positions with increasing responsibility over the years. He will keep many of his current responsibilities in his new role, which include leading Marketing, Supply Chain and other business aspects while also adding responsibility for operations in all of Mi solutions businesses – including Mi Conveyance Solutions, Mi Fluid Power Solutions, Motion Ai and Mi Repair & Services.

Howe is also celebrating his time with Motion in 2023 which spans 30 years. He is currently responsible for eCommerce, Strategic Pricing, Sales Excellence and Corporate Accounts. In his new role, he will continue to oversee these business areas as well as Human Resources.

Motion has promoted Joe Limbaugh (left) to Executive Vice President – Chief Operations Officer and James Howe (right) to Executive Vice President – Chief Commercial Officer/Chief Technology Officer.

SANY Opens New Energy Testing Center

Heavy machinery OEM SANY Group has begun operation of its new test center focused on the development of alternative energy technologies. The SANY New Energy Engineering Vehicle Testing Center is located in Changsha City, China, and equipped with advanced technologies to aid in the development and testing of battery-powered vehicles.

Covering an area of 100 acres, the new testing center includes a laboratory and outdoor test site capable of assessing the performance of 20 vehicles at a time. Specialized testing equipment at the facility will aid with the development of alternative energy systems; motors, batteries, electronic controls, hybrid systems, hydrogen fuel, battery cells and electric drive axles can all be tested with these tools.

Over 20 electric test beds are at the facility, including a heavy-duty chassis dynamometer capable of generating traction force of 120,000N and supporting axle loads up to 35 tons. There is also an extreme environment chamber for whole-vehicle testing which can be set to temperatures ranging from -45 to 70 C. It includes a sunlight simulation system as well.

Growing development of electric and other alternatively powered vehicles requires appropriate testing and design to ensure performance requirements are achieved, particularly for the construction equipment and heavy trucks SANY develops which have unique requirements compared to passenger vehicles. This new facility will help the company to further advance its vehicle electrification efforts.

The SANY New Energy Engineering Vehicle Testing Center features advanced testing capabilities for the development of battery-electric and other alternatively powered heavy-duty vehicles.

The Utility Expo Set to be Expand its Footprint

The Utility Expo (formerly known as ICUEE), held biannually and put on by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), is considered to be the largest event focused on utility professionals and construction contractors. An array of construction equipment and technologies, including several hydraulic based systems, will be on display at the show which is set to take place September 26-28, 2023 in Louisville, KY.

Registration is now open, and the sooner attendees book the larger the savings they can receive as well as first choice on hotels before they fill up.

The 2023 show is already pacing ahead of the previous edition; AEM reports there will be 6% more exhibition space than the 2021 event. Over 850 exhibitors and 50 education sessions will be available.

AEM has also worked to make the show easier to navigate by grouping similar product types together. "That’s important given the show covers more than 1.4 million square feet of indoor and outdoor exhibits," said John Rozum, show director, in the association's press release announcing the event's larger footprint for 2023.

The Utility Expo provides attendees to see and test out various construction equipment and technologies.

Toyota Building Battery Laboratory in Michigan

Toyota Motor North America Inc. (TMNA) plans to invest $50 million into the construction of a laboratory facility for battery-electric vehicles. It will be located at the company's North American R&D headquarters in Michigan.

With this new facility, Toyota will be better able to ensure its batteries are designed to meet the requirements of customers in North America. In addition to batteries, the company intends to use the laboratory for evaluation of charging technology. Upgrades to chassis dynamometers at this and the company's facility in Ann Arbor will allow for full battery-electric vehicle testing.

Engineers working at the laboratory will evaluate current and new battery technologies to aid with future vehicle developments.

"With increasing production for electrification coming to North America, it's important to have local supporting infrastructure, but more importantly it enables us to invest in team members and technology development," said Jordan Choby, group vice president of Powertrain at TMNA R&D, in the company's press release announcing the new laboratory. "This new facility also enables us to experiment and pursue new opportunities as technology and business needs advance."

The company expects the new battery laboratory to be in operation by the beginning of 2025.