Drives and Controls January 2023

n NEWS January 2023 www.drivesncontrols.com 8 AGROUPOF UK engineering companies have embarked on a £6m Government- backed project to develop processes for manufacturing electric motors that, they say, will be more cost-competitive, powerful and efficient than many alternatives. The PIMMS (Process Innovations for electric Motor Manufacturing Solutions) project is being led by Somerset-based Electrified Automation, and includes the Birmingham ERP specialist Winman and the sustainable engineering supplier Aspire Engineering, based inWeston super Mare. The project aims to design and deliver world-leading manufacturing processes for high-volume production of permanent magnet motors – particularly for use in electric vehicles – as well as software to automate the manufacturing process that will offer an“unrivalled data-gathering capability”. The cost of the project will be split between the industry partners and a Government grant awarded through the Advanced Propulsion Centre’s Collaborative Research and Development programme, as part of a new £73m support scheme for developing innovative low- and zero-carbon automotive technologies. The PIMMS project members want to remove the barriers that currently prevent OEMs and Tier 1 automotive suppliers from achieving volume electric motor manufacturing – specifically in relation to coil-winding, mechanical assembly and automated testing. Traditional motor manufacturing processes are resource-intensive, particularly in terms of managing supply chains and customers, which limits the UK’s ability to compete globally. To help level up the playing field with overseas suppliers, PIMMS will include a software platform to automate all areas of manufacturing, and to link production facilities with the outside world. As global motor production increases, so does the need to find end-of-life processes for electric motors. To respond to this challenge, the PIMMS project will develop innovative 3R (recycle, re-use and re- manufacture) strategies for electric motors to optimise their value and achieve closed- loop manufacturing. “Being awarded APC funding for the PIMMS project is a huge step forward for us and our partners,”says Electrified Automation MD, JimWinchester.“We look forward to seeing how our innovative technology and software will help the electric motor industry achieve the high levels of production needed to drive the transition towards low-carbon vehicles. “It is also vital our manufacturing techniques are sustainable, so we have also put a lot of focus on re-using and re- manufacturing existing electric motors within our processes.” £6mUK project aims to take a world lead in motor-making THE ENGINEERING plastics specialist igus is expanding increasingly into low-cost robotics, and has launched a service to test proposed robot applications for UK customers free of charge, before they order any equipment. The Test Before Invest service is based on one already running at igus’ headquarters in Germany. The service is part of igus’ RBTX online marketplace for low-cost robotics which allows users to combine products from 76 different suppliers to create customised robotics applications. Compatibility between the components is guaranteed. The service can supply all of the components via a single order and, if required, assemble them to create the configured application. Matthew Aldridge, igus UK’s managing director, says that the company has invested in a customer test area at its Northampton headquarters to simulate customer applications and is currently performing ten tests each week. “Customers then receive a video on the handling test with a fixed-price quotation for their required components.” Igus has recently relaunched the RBTX Web site with a new design and functions such as one that filters by application or industry. Instead of needing to search across many different sources, machine-builders and others can find a wide range of low-cost robotics components from many different suppliers, with price and compatibility guarantees. "We analysed our Web site and gathered feedback from our customers to find out how we could further optimise the online marketplace and user experience,” explains igus UK’s low-cost automation product manager, Adam Sanjurgo. “The user can now find a suitable robotics solution as quickly and easily as possible. “Engineers currently have 259 different products to choose from – from robots to software, controllers and power electronics to cameras, grippers, sensors and motors,” he adds. The components are combined and tested in advance to ensure that they will work in sub-assemblies. “The plan is to continuously expand our online marketplace with additional partners and products so that users have instant access to an up-to-date and diverse offer in this fast-growing market segment.” The service also offers more than 100 ready-made applications. For example, there are adhesive robot systems with prices starting from £6,000. If users do not know which configuration is right for their application or which components are needed, they can ask an expert tool called RBTXpert. They can also book free live video consultations with automation experts who can advise them on their applications. The experts can test the feasibility of proposed projects in a dedicated 400m 2 area. https://rbtx.com/en igus’RBTX service allows users to configure low- cost automation applications online Free UK service tests robot projects before orders are placed Electrified Automation specialises in technologies for manufacturing electrical machines