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 committed to clean air and is investing in electric mobility in public transport. The first electric buses have already been operating in the city since 2014. In 2021, 50 more vehicles have been added, transporting passengers in the area of Krakow where the highest levels of air pollution are recorded (see: https://cleantechnica.com). But the expansion of the e-bus fleet presented the city with a challenge:

The fact that electric vehicles are too expensive, take too long to charge, can't drive far enough, or that a cable always has to be touched to charge them are arguments that still keep many customers from buying an electric car. But the development in terms of e-mobility is progressing rapidly - also at Schunk: "Charging an e-vehicle will become as easy as refueling," our expert Ahmad Kamar is convinced. Since 2018, the product manager has been driving the development of the prototype of an autonomous fast charging system for electric vehicles.

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.

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.

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.

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:

As a charging solution for electric buses, Schunk Smart Charging already set new standards in the past. Now the system is also being successfully tested for the automated charging of battery-powered mining vehicles. Product Manager Timo Staubach explains the background of this pilot project that the world has never seen before.