Electric vehicles are rapidly gaining momentum, increasing the demand for reliable and efficient technologies. Power modules play a pivotal role in this context, particularly in motor drives and battery charging systems. Dr. Jürgen Reinke, Head of Process Technology at Schunk Sonosystems, and Dr. Urs Bürgi, an expert in automation and precision at Infotech, explain the importance of these technologies and highlight innovations developed in collaboration with Infotech.

The Schunk Group is your innovative partner when it comes to metal injection molding (MIM) at the highest technological level. With over 100 years of material expertise and state-of-the-art MIM technology, we manufacture complex, precise, and series-ready metal components – tailored exactly to the requirements of your industry.

Electric buses are no longer a future scenario - they are increasingly defining the image of modern cities. For the transition to more sustainable and quieter local transport to succeed, not only are powerful vehicles needed, but also intelligent and efficient charging infrastructures. This is precisely where Schunk Smart Charging comes in: with innovative, fully automatic charging systems that maximise the availability of electric buses - without any manual operation or plugs.

For transport companies, winter not only brings frosty temperatures, but also a problem that causes costs and effort: icy overhead lines. A challenge that Dessauer Verkehrs GmbH also had to contend with. Holger Steuer, Head of Maintenance, explains how the company got to grips with the problem in a straightforward manner. The result: reliable tramway operation despite ice and snow.

We know from experience: Developers of high-performance motors for electric cars face an enormous challenge. Tomorrow's e-mobility requires efficient motors for higher drive dynamics and longer ranges. But how can the performance of electric motors be increased in what is sometimes the smallest installation space? Higher speeds are a key to success, but mean extreme stress for the components. Without a stable rotor bandage, machine failure would be inevitable. Read here why armor sleeves made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) are the way to efficient high-performance motors.

The arguments that electric vehicles are still too expensive, take too long to charge, have too short a range or always require a cable to be held for charging still deter many customers from buying an electric car. Similarly, the demands for more environmentally friendly mobility in the industrial sector also present companies with challenges. For example, for electric mobility to become an economically viable alternative for logistics companies, solutions are needed that not only ensure fast, reliable charging and long ranges, but can also be integrated into the depot in a space-saving way. Fortunately, the development of charging systems for electric vehicles is progressing rapidly. The range now includes not only manually operated charging systems, but also autonomous solutions.

Read on to find out which charging systems offer the most potential for which types of vehicles and how an underbody charging solution enables efficient and space-saving charging of passenger cars and e-trucks.

Many transport companies can tell you a thing or two about it: Suddenly, metros or trains are at a standstill due to damaged engine or transmission bearings. Such breakdowns are not only annoying, but above all expensive. The cause are often vagrant shaft voltages that discharge in the bearings and cause lasting damage. Shaft grounding systems made of infiltrated carbon fibers can provide a remedy, reliably dissipating voltages and protecting against bearing damage.

When the 2:45 p.m. ferry arrived on the Isle of Wight on November 19, 2020, a very special passenger disembarked: the first of a total of five trains for the completely refurbished fleet of the modernized Island Line. The trains thus continue the Island Line‘s long-standing tradition of using refurbished and rebuilt London Underground equipment. Adrian Handley, Sales and Marketing Director of Sabre Rail, the UK's leading independent specialist in the overhaul of rail systems and components, shares the challenges the vehicle manufacturer faced in order to be able to operate the trains on the island and the solution that was developed together with Schunk.   (Image below: The first Island Line Class 484 train arrives at Wightlinks Fishbourne ferry terminal. © James123pilbeam, license.)

E-mobility continues to gain ground: according to a study by the IEA (International Energy Agency), there were around 16.5 million e-cars on the roads worldwide in 2021 - three times as many as in 2018. Forecasts predict that the share will rise to 116 million electric cars by 2030.  However, no matter how successful electric mobility is, manufacturers still face challenges in addressing concerns potential buyers may have about purchasing an electric car.

Achieving the European climate protection targets in the transport sector requires a strong European railway. The EU is therefore planning to double passenger traffic and significantly expand rail freight transport by 2030. In addition to alternative drive concepts and the expansion of rail infrastructure, digitization of the rail system for more efficient use of resources is one of the prerequisites for meeting the political framework conditions.

Krakow is focusing on sustainability and investing in electromobility in public transport. The first electric buses have been operating in the city since 2014. In 2021, 50 more vehicles were added that transport passengers in the Krakow area. The highest exceedances of air pollution limits were recorded in this region (see: https://cleantechnica.com). However, the expansion of the e-bus fleet presented the city with a challenge: how can around 80 electric buses be charged efficiently?

Regardless of the type of car, reliable thermal management is essential to operate all systems in the vehicle within the optimum temperature window. Pumps with bearings and seals are needed for the smooth transport of fluids, such as cooling water. To ensure high chemical, thermal and mechanical resistance of these components, Schunk has developed a production process for components that are not only particularly efficient and durable, but can also be manufactured in large quantities and complex geometries.

The continuing trend toward miniaturization and lightweight construction in the automotive industry calls for ever stronger materials and high-strength components. The shift to e-mobility is further accelerating this trend - and brings with it an additional requirement: noise reduction.

More and more cities around the world are turning to electromobility for public transportation. Current collectors for electric buses from Schunk are already in use in over 100 cities in 25 countries. Now, with the Depot Charger SLS301, there is a new pantograph model that enables automated charging of electric buses in the depot. The advantage: although the Depot Charger is capable of high power charging similar to the standard inverted pantograph, its simple, compact and light weight design makes it an economical solution for depot charging. Find out here what advantages Depot Charging offers over conventional plug-in solutions and why transport operators can save costs with the Depot Charger SLS301:

Schunk Smart Charging is already in use worldwide as a charging solution for electric buses. But the potential applications of the conductive and wireless charging system are far from exhausted. The technology is also demonstrating its potential in the automated charging of battery-powered mining vehicles. Product Manager Timo Staubach explains the background to this globally unique pilot project.