The electric engine as a model for the future

International conference on innovative drive technologies

Electric drives, one of the most important technologies for the future, will take centre stage at a conference to be held on 28 and 29 September at Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen Nuremberg. At the 1st International Electric Drives Production Conference (EDPC) developers, researchers and potential users will exchange views on the latest products and production technologies in this field. More detailed information on the conference can be found at www.edpc.eu. Due to the limited number of places, it is highly recommended you sign up early.

The event is being organised by the Bavarian Technology Centre for Electric Drive Technology (E|Drive-Center) at the Department for Production Automation and Production Systems (FAPS) in association with the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), the Automation Valley Nordbayern, Messago Messe Frankfurt GmbH and other important industry associations and scientific organisations. Around 300 participants from home and abroad are expected at the conference. Renowned experts, such as Ralf Michael Franke, CEO of the Drive Technologies Division of Siemens AG, Dr. Manfred Wittenstein, Chairman of the Board of Wittenstein AG and former president of the German Machine and Plant Construction Association (VDMA) will be speaking at the event.

The issues being discussed at the conference are the use and production of electric machines, new materials and electric components, computer integrated and environmental orientated engineering and innovative production and assembly technologies. Particular importance will be given to the electrification of vehicle drive technology. The car industry is facing the huge challenge of completely replacing conventional engine technology with new solutions. In this respect, innovative approaches for the construction and steering of efficient electric motors and the structuring of production processes and systems are of particular interest to German manufacturers, allowing them to tap this attractive value-added potential in drive manufacturing itself and in the supply of machines and systems.

As part of the conference’s focus on electrical mobility, prestigious universities, OEMs and suppliers, including BMW, Daimler, Brose, Bosch and Continental, will be presenting their latest production and motor concepts in the field of electric drive technology for vehicles. At the same time, this topic will be examined from the perspective of the industrial use of electric motors. The speakers on these issues come from the ranks of Germany’s largest manufacturers, such as Siemens and ebmPapst.

Other key issues being addressed at the congress are assembly and production. In a special session on winding technology, experts will shed light on new processes including the optimisation of copper filling factors, increasing quantity and variety flexibility and the integration of further process stages. The agenda gives pride of place to innovative test and production procedures such as laser bonding technologies, copper plate moulds from windings and flat measurement of magnetic fields. Solutions will be discussed for current challenges such as the availability of rare earth elements, the evolution of copper prices and the serial use of highly competitive piezoelectric drives. The programme is capped off with presentations on state of the art modern interpretation, calculation and simulation procedure.

On 27 September, in the run up to the congress, specialist presentations will hone in on subjects including contactless charger technologies for electric vehicles, strategic business options to tackle the disruptive changes in value creation caused by electric mobility, simulation procedures for electro mechanical wind power systems and automated assembly technologies for rare earth element magnets.

Alongside the congress, machine manufacturers with innovation production technologies, drive specialists with efficient motor concepts and car manufacturers with a wide range of new electric vehicles will present their companies.

On 30 September, once the programme of specialist presentations has concluded, conference goers will have the opportunity to take part in tours round the development laboratories of renowned research institutes and production facilities of world beating engine manufacturers.

Further information for the media:

Alexander Kühl
Tel.: 0911/5805844
service@edpc.eu

uni | media service | news No. 207/2011 on 22.7.2011