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Washington State Ferries selects ABB as propulsion single source vendor for five new hybrid ferries 

ABB has secured a propulsion single source vendor contract with Washington State Ferries (WSF), the United States’ largest ferry system, for five new hybrid electric vessels 

ABB has been awarded a contract by Washington State Ferries (WSF) to serve as the propulsion single source vendor (PSSV) for its groundbreaking new hybrid electric 160-auto ferries. This project marks a significant milestone in the evolution of sustainable maritime transportation in the US and beyond, with ABB playing a pivotal role in the development and delivery of the five new build vessels. In its role as PSSV, ABB will supply comprehensive hybrid electric propulsion systems that include the Onboard DC Grid™ power distribution solution, energy storage, advanced energy management, and integrated marine automation. The innovative propulsion package is designed to enhance operational efficiency, help reduce emissions, and ensure reliable performance for the new vessels. ABB will also deliver extensive design and engineering support, working closely with WSF to ensure seamless integration of the hybrid electric technology into the new ferries. This collaborative approach underscores ABB’s commitment to delivering tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of its partners. “We are honored to be selected by Washington State Ferries as its propulsion single source vendor for the new hybrid electric 160-auto ferries,” said Drew Orvieto, Vice president of sales for Marine Systems, US at ABB Marine & Ports. “This partnership highlights our shared vision for sustainability and our dedication to pioneering advanced technologies that drive the industry forward. We look forward to supporting WSF in its mission to provide cleaner, more efficient ferry services for the communities they serve.” WSF manages the largest ferry system in the United States, operating 21 auto-passenger ferries across 10 routes serving 19 terminals. The five new hybrid electric ferries will be the first of 16 new vessels delivered as part of WSF’s $3.98 billion Ferry System Electrification plan. The new ferries will play a crucial role in WSF’s strategy to modernize its fleet and reduce its environmental footprint.

Washington State Ferries selects ABB

By integrating ABB’s propulsion systems, WSF aims to achieve significant reductions in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in pursuit of a zero-emission ferry fleet by 2050 in alignment with the state’s broader environmental goals. “Big picture, this contract with ABB is about rebuilding our fleet and restoring reliable service to our customers,” said Matt von Ruden, WSF system electrification program administrator. “ABB’s specialized knowledge and expertise helps reduce risk and ensure performance in the design, construction and delivery of our first five new hybrid-electric ferries.” 

Nidec enters in the eVTOL sector


Nidec Corporation has accomplished a minority investment in Eve Air Mobility, a manufacturer of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft and launch partner for Nidec Aerospace’s electric propulsion systems, through Nidec’s subsidiary, Nidec Motor Corporation. The amount of the investment is $20M USD and it will be allocated to support research & development at Eve as it prepares for the air-worthiness certification of its eVTOL aircraft by the end of 2026. The funds will also help the company finance its operations through 2027. Nidec’s investment represents a stake of less than 5% in Eve.
This investment also furthers Nidec’s plans to enter the infrastructure space in the aviation market to supply products such as chargers for electrified aircraft. Nidec ASI Co. Ltd., a member of the Nidec Group, currently manufactures EV chargers that integrate ultra-fast charging technology with energy management systems (EMS) and energy storage systems (ESS) to provide safe, reliable, and cost effective power across the globe. Nidec aims to use this same technology and product offering to grow in the eVTOL and unmanned aerial vehicle infrastructure markets, where demand for rapid, large capacity charging is critical. 
“Our future eVTOL customers are in good hands with Nidec from take-off to touch-down. Sustainability and safety are our guiding principles at Eve, which is why we selected Nidec electric propulsion system to power our eVTOL aircraft, and why we encourage fleet operators to use Nidec electric chargers to quickly and safely charge them”, said Johann Bordais, CEO of Eve Air Mobility.

Stellantis grows in the European electric market

Stellantis grows in the electric market

Stellantis experienced steady growth in the LEV market in the first half of 2024 thanks to its wide range of new BEV, PHEV, and MHEV models. BEVs captured a 13.3 percent YTD share in the EU29, and in France, where volumes grew by more than 48 percent, the Peugeot E-208 was the best-selling EV car in the six-month period. In June, BEV sales rose 19% in Italy, thanks to government incentives, and 16% in the UK, with market share up 1.1 points from last year.
The Stellantis Pre-Owned Vehicle entity has realized substantial growth over the past six months, with the G10 markets, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain, reporting double-digit sales increases over last year.
More broadly, Stellantis recorded a volume increase (PC and CV) in the EU29 perimeter of 0.9 percent during the first half of 2024, capturing a market share of 18.2 percent. The Citroën, Dodge, Jeep® and Lancia brands performed particularly well, increasing sales compared to last year. The Group has been on top in France, Italy and Portugal since the beginning of the year (YTD).

Partnership in the name of additive manufacturing

Partnership in the name of

3D Systems and Precision Resource, a leading manufacturer of critical components for the automotive, heavy truck, aerospace and medical device industries, have formed a strategic partnership aimed at catalyzing metal additive manufacturing applications in high-criticality markets. The combination of the two companies’ deep application expertise with 3D Systems’ direct metal printing platform will enable a faster path to market for applications in high-criticality industries. As part of this agreement, Precision Resource will purchase two DMP Flex 350 Dual 3D printers from 3D Systems to be incorporated into the production workflow at the Huntington Beach, Calif. facility.

Expansion of precision metal forming processes

The integration of 3D Systems’ industry-leading DMP technology into Precision Resource’s production value processes, complemented by 5-axis machining centers and advanced inspection systems, will expand the portfolio of precision metal forming processes, offering new solutions to meet evolving market needs. 3D Systems’ DMP Flex 350 platform is designed for use in flexible applications from application development to mass production. Quickly replaceable build modules and rapid powder recycling help speed up production; a central server manages print jobs, materials, settings and maintenance in order to facilitate 24/7 productivity. The printer also features 3DXpert software, which assists with every step of the additive manufacturing workflow, from design to post-processing to fast and efficient transition from a 3D model to successfully printed parts.

DeepDrive, the power of a dual-rotor motor

DeepDrive, the power of a dual-rotor motor

BMW i Ventures co-leads investment in new electric motor technology: DeepDrive.

BMW i Ventures co-leads investment in the $16.1M Series A round for startup DeepDrive. DeepDrive has developed a cost and resource efficient dual-rotor motor, extending the range of electric vehicles. The radial flux dual-rotor electric motor includes power electronics and can be installed in any vehicle as a central drive or as an in-wheel drive. The patented technology increases the range of vehicles, achieves high torque density, is cost-efficient to manufacture and requires fewer natural resources; in turn, reducing environmental impact.

Nowadays, BMW-backed electric motor startup DeepDrive looks to shake up EV sector: DeepDrive says its dual-rotor motor topology can help EVs reach a range of more than 800 km while also saving automakers more than €1 billion in costs when deployed at scale. DeepDrive expects to have its first signed contracts for its electric machines within the next year. It aims to start small-scale production of its dual-rotor electric motor by 2026 followed by large-scale production two years later.

Vimi Fasteners grows overseas

Vimi Fasteners grows overseas

It is an increasingly close link between Vimi Fasteners and the American market. Founded in 1967, Vimi Fasteners operates in precision mechanics by designing and manufacturing highly engineered fasteners for automotive, industrial vehicles, oil & gas, aerospace and motorsport. Marco Sargenti, Ceo of Vimi Fasteners announced a business strategy that looks with interest to the Americas. Vimi’s sales office is in Charlotte, North Carolina, while the logistics warehouse is located in Charleston.
“Growing U.S. orders in H1 2024. We aim to strengthen ties with the U.S. market and are making a targeted study to open up to new strategic customers in the industrial field.”
For an increasingly significant presence overseas, the Emilia-based company, headquartered in Novellara, aims to strengthen its organizational structure in the States and North America, also evaluating M&A projects, or acquisitions that can guarantee the best answers to market needs. Budget 2023 closed with a turnover of 61.5 million euros, 8 million more than the previous year.

A collaboration to advance electric vehicle onboard charging

Texas Instruments announced a long-term collaboration with Delta Electronics, a global power and energy management manufacturer, to
Left to right - James Tang, Delta Electronics, and Amichai Ron, Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments announced a long-term collaboration with Delta Electronics, a global power and energy management manufacturer, to create next-generation electric vehicle (EV) onboard charging and power solutions. This work will leverage both companies’ research and development capabilities in power management and power delivery in a joint innovation laboratory in Pingzhen, Taiwan. Together, TI and Delta aim to optimize power density, performance and size to accelerate the realization of safer, faster-charging and more affordable EVs.

“The transition to electric vehicles is key to helping achieve a more sustainable future, and through years of collaboration with Delta Electronics, we have a solid foundation to build upon,” said Amichai Ron, senior vice president for Embedded Processing at TI. “Together with Delta, we will use TI semiconductors to develop EV power systems like onboard chargers and DC/DC converters that are smaller, more efficient and more reliable, increasing vehicle driving range and encouraging more widespread adoption of electric vehicles.”

“Delta has been developing high-efficiency automotive power products, systems and solutions since 2008 to help reduce transportation-related carbon emissions,” said James Tang, executive vice president of Mobility and head of the Electric Vehicle Solutions business group at Delta Electronics. “Through the establishment of this joint innovation laboratory with TI, Delta intends to leverage TI’s abundant experience and advanced technology in digital control and GaN to enhance the power density and performance of our EV power systems. With more leading-edge product development and design capabilities, we aim to achieve closer technology exchange and collaboration to accelerate product development and improve product safety and quality. We look forward to furthering our technology leadership and creating a win-win situation in the rapidly developing electric vehicle market.”

Texas Instruments announced a long-term collaboration with Delta Electronics, a global power and energy management manufacturer, to
Left to right – James Tang, Delta Electronics, and Amichai Ron, Texas Instruments

Three phases of development for next-generation automotive power solutions

  • Phase one for the collaboration focuses on Delta’s development of a lighter-weight, cost-effective 11kW onboard charger, using TI’s latest C2000™ real-time microcontrollers (MCUs) and TI’s proprietary active electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter products. The companies are working together using TI’s products to reduce the charger’s size by 30% while achieving up to 95% power conversion efficiency.
  • In phase two, TI and Delta will leverage the latest C2000 real-time MCUs for automotive applications to enable automakers to achieve automotive safety integrity levels (ASILs) up to ASIL D, which represents the strictest automotive safety requirements. Highly integrated automotive isolated gate drivers will further enhance the power density of onboard chargers, while also minimizing overall solution size.
  • In phase three, the two companies will collaborate to develop the next generation of automotive power solutions, capitalizing on TI’s more than 10 years of experience in developing and manufacturing products with gallium nitride (GaN) technology.

“The rapid growth of electronics in automotive applications has enabled more feature-rich, efficient and safer vehicles. However, technical challenges remain,” said Luke Lee, president of Taiwan, Japan, Korea and South Asia, Texas Instruments. “Having been in Taiwan for 55 years, coupled with decades of experience in automotive power management, TI has built a strong connection with the local automotive industry. Establishing this collaboration and joint innovation laboratory with Delta is just one more way TI is driving vehicle electrification forward.”

Learn more at TI.com.

Swed-Weld AB has become part of Atlas Copco Group

Swed-Weld AB

Swed-Weld AB (“Swed-Weld”), a Swedish provider of smart automated screw and nut feeding systems with focus on the automotive industry, has become part of Atlas Copco Group. The company is headquartered in Värnamo, Sweden and has 10 employees.

Swed-Welds products are designed with a special focus on high productivity in the automated assembly process and are specifically used by the automotive industry.

“This acquisition will complement our current product portfolio with an addition of nut and screw feeding solutions, which will strengthen Industrial Technique’s offering in the area of automation”, said Henrik Elmin, Business Area President for Industrial Technique. 

The purchase price is not disclosed. During 2023 the company had a turnover of approx. 2.6 MEUR* (30 MSEK). Swed-Weld has become a part of the Motor Vehicle Industry Tools and Assembly Systems division.

Onsemi will produce end-to-end silicon carbide in Czech Republic

Onsemi will produce end-to-end silicon carbide in Czech Republic

Onsemi’s $2 billion brownfield investment will bring significant energy-efficient chip manufacturing capabilities to the Czech Republic through close cooperation with the local government, which will also serve electrification.
“The vertically integrated silicon carbide production site will bring advanced packaging capabilities to the region and better position onsemi to meet the growing demand for clean and energy efficient semiconductor solutions,” the company explains. From a strategic perspective, the site will produce the company’s smart power semiconductors, which are essential for improving energy efficiency in electric vehicle applications.
«Our brownfield investment can contribute to the supply chain for Central Europe so that we can better meet our customers’ rapidly growing demand for innovative technologies that improve the energy efficiency of their applications,» said Hassane El-Khoury, president and CEO of onsemi.
onsemi’s plan to expand SiC production with a multi-year brownfield investment of up to $2 billion is part of the company’s previously disclosed long-term capital expenditure target. The investment will build on the company’s current operations in the Czech Republic, which include silicon crystal growth, silicon wafer and silicon carbide production, and a silicon wafer plant. Today the site is capable of producing more than three million wafers a year, including more than one billion power devices. When completed, the operation will contribute more than $270 million a year to the country’s GDP.

www.onsemi.com

Parker and CE Dealer Team by Volvo CE together for World Rally X 2024

Parker and CE Dealer Team by Volvo CE together for World Rally X 2024

Parker Hannifin, a global leader in motion and control technologies, and the CE Dealer Team by Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) will join forces once again for the FIA World Rallycross 2024 season, marking two years of partnership dedicated to advancing electrification, on and off the racing track.

The 2024 season commences in Sweden on July 6th and continues across racetracks in Hungary, Belgium and Portugal, before concluding in Australia on December 1st.

“This partnership with Volvo CE represents a significant step towards our shared goal of a sustainable future,” commented Anders Hagberg, Parker’s VP Sales Companies OEMs. “By integrating our advanced technologies into Volvo CE’s electric fleet, we are not only enhancing performance but also demonstrating the viability of electrification in challenging environments like rallycross.”

At the core of the collaboration is both partners’ commitment to clean technologies and innovation, demonstrated through the integration of Parker’s technologies into the electric machinery fleet of Volvo CE.

Examples of Parker components featured in Volvo’s electrified machines include controllers, inverters, electric motors, coolant filters and hoses, and cooling matrices. This is in addition to Parker’s well-established position as a supplier of hydraulic components and systems for the complete range of Volvo’s traditional and electrified construction machines.

Parker supports customers across the world as they transition to electrification technology, helping them to meet the twin challenges of profit and sustainability.

For more information, https://discover.parker.com/cedealerteambyvolvoce

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