Battery cabling and connector systemsLeoni is focusing, in particular, on the high-voltage battery as an energy storage device for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. The company concentrates primarily on data and power distribution within high-voltage batteries. “We assume that the HV battery in future vehicles will contain parts of the previously exposed high-voltage cable harness due to its large-area arrangement.” The aim is to offer customers system solutions for battery cabling from a single source. Together with its partner Diehl, the company is working on offering complete solutions. Already established products of both companies in areas such as cabling, connector systems and cell contacting would be combined to form a complete package. This means that sustainable strategies are needed.
Laser for copper weldingTrumpf is also experiencing electric mobility as a growth-promoting driving force. A central role is played by a new laser, the development of which the laser specialist has accelerated in the course of its e-mobility strategy and which, according to the company, is proving to be very suitable for welding copper. Copper is considered to be the most important material for conducting electricity and an electric car would be inconceivable without it. With the new laser, copper can be efficiently welded, for example, for the high-performance electronics of electric cars. “The shift towards electromobility offers great opportunities for German industry,” emphasises Christian Schmitz, Managing Director for Laser Technology at Trumpf. The company expects further growth for its own business as a result of the changes in the automotive industry. Compared to the previous year, the company's sales of products and solutions that flow directly into electromobility have doubled. “20 per cent of our order intake from the automotive industry now comes from electromobility, twice as much as last year,” Schmitz continued.
Products and processes are changingChanging times require flexible suppliers - the right curve position is crucial. You must bear in mind that the exhaust gas and fuel system, the combustion engine and the low-voltage vehicle electrical system are not required for the less complex electric drive. Instead, they must adapt to electric motors, cooling systems for electronics and batteries, chargers, a high-voltage electrical system and a PTC heater - components that sometimes require high-performance wires and cables to prevent vehicles from stuttering.
The changes associated with the switch from combustion to electric vehicle technology are therefore fundamental and affect products and processes. “Competencies such as blow moulding, pipe extrusion and machining technology are also becoming less important, while processes such as winding processes and forming techniques for parts made of aluminium and magnesium are gaining in importance,” explains the VDA. In order to continue on the road to success, the wire and cable industry must therefore flexibly steer in the right direction. Then it will head full speed towards high profits.
Innovative technologies will be presented at wire and Tube from 30 March to 3 April 2020 at Düsseldorf Fairgrounds. More information under
www.wire-tradefair.com and
www.Tube-tradefair.com. Please also visit our new metalflow portal under
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