••• 15••• Innovationen Flexible production of electric motors Hairpin technology highly suited to meet the requirements of large series production D eveloping plants for series- and type-flexible production of electric motors for vehicles is the aim of a novel research pro- ject. In this way, medium-sized enterprises are enabled to quickly use innovative technologies and remain viable. The electric motor is of crucial im- portance in the electric drivetrain of hybrid, fuel-cell, and electric ve- hicles. Its stationary part that acts as the field magnet, the stator, re- quires a very high production ex- penditure. Its key component is the coil wound from electric conduc- tors, for which various manufactur- ing methods have established. The so-called hairpin technology, in which the individual segments are formed like hairpins, is highly suited to meet the requirements of large series production in au- tomotive industry. “Using hairpin technology, a stator for an elec- tric motor can be produced with cycle times corresponding to that of a combustion engine,” explains Professor Jürgen Fleischer, Head of the Machines, Equipment, and Process Automation Section of the wbk Institute of Production Science of KIT. Technologywith big potential “In contrast to the convention- al pull-in technique, the hairpin technology does no longer re- quire any manual process steps,” Janna Hofmann of wbk adds. “For this reason, the technology is of particular interest to origi- nal equipment manufacturers in automotive industry.” However, production technology for all cur- rent electric motor concepts is not yet mature for larger series. According to latest research find- ings, the hairpin technology has the biggest potential for use in the series- and type-flexible pro- duction of electric motors for vehicles in the next years. Within the project “Plant Engineering for the Production of Stators by Hair- pin Technology – AnStaHa”, KIT researchers will develop in-depth process knowledge and innova- tive systems meeting the needs of medium-sized component sup- pliers. The electric motor is of crucial importance in the electric drivetrain of hybrid, fuel-cell, and electric vehicles. Photo: Martin Lober / KIT Organised by Under the aegis of A show by Supported by 50,000+ visits from 30 countries in 5 days 700 exhibitors and represented companies 91% of visitors 4&1% &+3"01*"+1 -) +0 #2)Ɯ))"! them at the show 80,000 SQM OF EXHIBITION SPACE FULLY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECTOR of road and urban transport solutions • HGV and trailer/semi-trailer bodywork manufacturers • Vehicle and bodywork OEMs • HGV manufacturers • LCV body builders • LCV manufacturers • IT, consulting and services • Workshop equipment, products and consumables • Networks and distribution • Tyres WWW.SOLUTRANS.EU #SOLUTRANS CONTACT sales@solutrans.eu +33 1 76 77 12 91 Don’t wait a minute longer: join us and book your stand at SOLUTRANS 2019!