Electric Drives at Fraunhofer IFAM

Our commitment

We believe that the development of electric drives is a multidisciplinary task. A good motor is created when the requirements of the individual disciplines are optimally coordinated. We believe that the conventional sequential approach with long iteration loops and decisions at domain level cannot efficiently meet today's diverse and changing customer requirements.

At Fraunhofer IFAM, we are convinced that innovation happens at the component level. A good engine is created when this innovation can be integrated into the overall engine concept. The technology evaluation at component level must take into account the manufacturing boundary conditions and the interactions with the system.

Cooperation inspires innovation - and accelerates it!

 

We base our R&D activities on this conviction in two key areas: Firstly, the transformation of development processes and secondly, manufacturing technology innovations for electric drives. We therefore offer the following services:

  • Technology evaluation (of manufacturing technologies) for electric drives
  • Technology transfer (of manufacturing technologies) for electric drives
  • Development and testing of drive concepts

Please contact us directly!

Further information

 

Multidisciplinary design automation

At Fraunhofer IFAM, specific methods and demand-driven design workflows are being developed to quickly create designs for electric machines and evaluate them.

 

Novel cooling system

To overcome the thermal limits in electric machines, a project developed an easily applicable direct fluid conductor cooling system for concentrated windings with integrated cooling channels.

 

Rotors for efficient Induction Machines

Fraunhofer IFAM is developing solutions for more economical and efficient Induction machine (IM).

 

High speed drive

An electric air compressor with internal liquid cooling and enhanced centrifugal strength was developed at Fraunhofer IFAM.

 

Alternative magnets

At Fraunhofer IFAM, research is being conducted on materials that are not only more cost-effective but also reduce dependence on rare earth elements.

 

Cast Coils

The casting production of coils not only enables electric motors with higher power density but also allows for more cost-effective, efficient, and lightweight designs.

 

Development test bench for e-machines

To identify optimization potential at an early stage during the development of electric machines, the institute has electric motor test benches in the power range <3kW and in the range from 20kW to 100kW. 

 

Project ULTRAHYBRO

In the project "UltraHybRo", the experts of the area "Electric Drive Technology" are developing a joining process for the manufacture of squirrel cage rotors for induction machines.

 

Project KOHANA

Innovative project: Compact and highly efficient hairpin stators for the electrification of commercial vehicle powertrains