This Week in Power & Motion: Bosch Begins Production of 800V Components for 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 electronic motion control sectors as well as the industries they serve.

Elmo Motion Control Appoints New CEO

Elmo Motion Control, a developer of motion control technologies and a Bosch Rexroth company since 2022, has named Ronen Boneh as the company's new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He brings to the role over 30 years of experiencing in working with motion control solutions.

Boneh has served as the company's Vice President of R&D since 2008 when Elmo acquired Control & Robotics Solutions Ltd., a company which he co-founded and lead as CEO.

"We are thrilled that Ronen, a very experienced manager, is taking over the position as CEO of Elmo," said Thomas Fechner, a member of the board of management and responsible for factory automation at Bosch Rexroth, in the press release announcing Boneh's appointment. "His outstanding leadership and technology expertise will be invaluable in guiding Elmo Motion Control through its next phase of growth and development."

Ronen Boneh is the new CEO of Elmo Motion Control, bringing with him over 30 years of experience in the motion control industry.

ABB Invests in Edge-to-Cloud Platform Provider

ABB is partnering with Pratexo, an edge-to-cloud platform company, which includes a minority investment in Pratexo. The company's technology supports computing at the edge — enabling data processing closer to where it is generated — which benefits artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of thing (IoT) solutions, among others.

Pratexo's technology aids rapid set up of systems that can process huge amounts of data generated by IoT sensors and run advanced analytics in real time close to the location of the device, rather than in the cloud, explained ABB in its press release announcing the partnership. This can help with faster data processing for quicker analysis and action based on the data.

"The last 20 years of IT have been mostly about centralizing computing into the cloud. The next 10 will be about balancing that with a hybrid edge-to-cloud approach – doing the right compute at the right place and at the right level. Our close collaboration with ABB will further enable and accelerate that transition," explained Blaine Mathieu, CEO of Pratexo, in ABB's press release.

"With the increased focus on IT security and privacy, companies are moving away from centralized cloud to edge and micro cloud based IoT solutions to retain resilience, flexibility and scalability," said Mads Moeller, Head of ABB Technology Ventures for Electrification. "This partnership will fast-track the development of software technology for ABB’s customers to perform real-time, causal analysis for electrical faults, allowing for improved operations."

STLE Announces Leadership Succession

The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) has announced its executive director Edward P. Salek, CAE, plans to retire at the beginning of 2024. He has been with the organization for 27 years.

He will be succeeded by Rebecca Lintow, CAE, who is currently director of professional development at STLE. She will take over the role of executive director October 1 with Salek's title transitioning to outgoing executive director.

Salek joined STLE in September 1996 and has been the organization’s executive director since May 1997. During that time he directed the development and implementation of an evergreen strategic planning process that has sustained membership and provided the STLE community with new programs and services.

"STLE is a remarkable organization, and I am proud of what we have accomplished during the past 27 years," said Salek in STLE's press release announcing the succession plans. "This transition comes at a time of unique opportunity for the tribology and lubrication engineering field. And Rebecca, working with our leadership team and staff, will enable STLE to make the most of those opportunities in the years ahead."

Lintow joined STLE in October 2021, bringing her years of experience working in management roles with various nonprofit organizations. In her role as director of professional development she directed members and volunteer committees in the development and execution of continuing technical education programs. She was also responsible for STLE membership, section relations and certification programs.

"I’m pleased to have been selected to serve as STLE’s next executive director. It's an honor to follow Ed in this role and continue the organization’s mission of ‘perfecting motion.’ I look forward to working closely with STLE’s staff, leadership team and volunteers to continue the society’s 80-year legacy of fulfilling its ‘connect, learn, achieve’ value proposition," she stated in STLE's press release.

Rebecca Lintow, CAE, will succeed Edward P. Salek, CAE, as executive director of STLE.

Bosch Begins Production on 800V Electric Vehicle Components

Bosch is set to begin production on 800V powertrain technology for electric vehicles. Higher voltage architectures are growing in use due to the faster recharging and increased efficiency they can provide.

Among these products are an 800V version of the company's inverter based on silicon carbide semiconductors which Bosch said increases its efficiency and range. The higher voltage of the inverter allows for use of thinner cables, reducing the amount of copper used in the component as well as its space and weight which are key factors to consider in electric vehicles to ensure they are as efficient as possible.

Also going into production is an 800V electric motor offering increased power density. It provides 830 Nm of torque and 460 kW of power. Use of I-pin bar winding for the electric motor ensures its efficiency and compact design. It also features oil cooling which helps to better draw generated heat away from the motor, ensuring optimized performance.

The 800V variant of Bosch's electric motor provides a 35% increase in power density due to the winding technology used.

NFPA Announces Scholarship Winners

The National Fluid Power Association's (NFPA) Education and Technology Foundation has awarded 23 scholarships to students pursuing fluid power related fields of study. Each scholarship is worth $2,000.

Students who apply for the scholarship must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0 as well as provide a 500-word essay and letter of recommendation. Through these scholarships NFPA aims to help the next generation of fluid power engineers get the skills required for a future career working with hydraulics and pneumatics.

The following students received the NFPA's fluid power scholarship:

Albert Ly, Illinois Institute of Technology
April Polston, Murray State University
Athena Shier, University of South Carolina
Ben Quade, Iowa State University (Raymond F. Hanley Memorial Award)
Bentley Soukhaphaly, University of Wisconsin-Madison (Robert Mackey Memorial Award)
Brendan McCluskey, Georgia Institute of Technology
Christopher Swarner, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Connor Stonerock, Ohio University
Ethan Smoes, LeTourneau University
Evan Fender, Wright State University
Gabriel Schroepfer, Northern Illinois University
Giovanni Hernandez, University of California-Irvine
James Oosterhouse, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Kaedyn Peterson-Rucker, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Marco Vanoni, Michigan State University
Mason Maile, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Matthew Brooks, Tarleton State University
Olivia DeBoer, Harvey Mudd College
Richard Misner, Macomb Community College
Sonnet Xu, Stanford University

In addition to these scholarships, NFPA awarded three more $2,000 scholarships as part of the Tom Wanke Legacy Fund, established after the passing of Tom Wanke, a professor at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) who was extremely passionate about educating future fluid power engineers.

The winners of this scholarship are: