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Inproves

A new generation of high-performance electric motors

January 2017

- November 2019

THEMES

Smart mobility

The initiative

Inproves is a pilot test for developing a new generation of high-performance electric motors for automotive traction and braking systems. The initiative intends to work on product-process integration in the production of motors for automotive vehicles in order to develop brushless permanent magnet motors (PMMs) for traction and regenerative braking systems. PMMs are conceived alongside the production process based upon Industry 4.0 models, i.e. a totally digitised production process, to control and manage systems, processes and logistics-production flows.

The role of the Foundation

Fondazione Politecnico di Milano is collaborating with the initiative

Technical details

Inproves was established in response to the innovation objectives set out in the White Paper on Transport published by the European Commission (2011), in the Strategic Agenda of the National Cluster of Sustainable Mobility (2015), in the Work Programme (WP) within the strategy of smart specialisations published by Regione Lombardia, the Regional Government of Lombardy (2014). The European objectives refer to the requirement, within 2050, of moving towards zero fatalities in road transport, eliminating harmful emissions from means of transport and establishing a level playing field for “polluters’ pay”.

 

 

First results

Il progetto si pone come una best practice per la creazione in Lombardia di un hub di conoscenza e competenze fortemente indirizzate alla mobilità del futuro. La collaborazione fra piccole e medie aziende, con il supporto delle Università va creando in Lombardia un nucleo coeso, in grado di affrontare in futuro nuove sfide tecno-logiche nel campo della elettrificazione dei veicoli. In questo senso il Cluster Lombardo della Mobilità identifica il progetto Inproves come una best practice, e ne diffonde la conoscenza ai propri Associati ed alla intera comunità produttiva lombarda. Le aziende automotive lombarde sono principalmente fornitrici di componenti, reputati eccellenti a livello globale per qualità. Per consoli-dare tale eccellenza è proposta la concezione integrata di prodotto e processo produttivo, con riferimento ai motori elettrici a magneti permanenti (PMM) di nuova generazione. È stato creato un ambiente di sviluppo per la definizione ottimizzata e robusta dei parametri costruttivi di PMM che tenga conto delle esigenze applicative relative sia a sistemi brake-by-wire (BBW), sia a motori di trazione. Sono sviluppati modelli matematici avanzati che descrivono le caratteristiche fisiche e le prestazioni dei PMM. Tali modelli sono usati contestualmente per la definizione dei parametri di processo relativi ad una linea flessibile di produzione, ispirata ai paradigmi dell’Industry 4.0.

Achieved results

The project is widely regarded as providing best practice in the creation of a hub of knowledge and skills strongly focused on the mobility of the future. This collaboration between SMEs, with the support of universities, is establishing a cohesive hub in Lombardy that is capable of facing future technological and logistics challenges in the field of vehicle electrification. As part of this process, the Mobility Cluster for Lombardy considers Inproves to be a project that reflects best practice, and is informing its associates and Lombardy’s entire production community of this initiative.

Automotive manufacturing companies in Lombardy are mainly parts suppliers, with an excellent global reputation for high quality. The proposal for consolidating this project is to create an integrated product and production process for new generation permanent magnet motors. A development centre was created specifically to define optimum and robust PMM construction parameters, making provision for the application needs of both brake-by-wire (BBW) systems and traction motors. Advanced mathematical models were elaborated to describe the physical properties and performance of PMMs. These models are used contextually to define process parameters for a flexible production line inspired by Industry 4.0 models.

Financial supporters

Inproves is financed by Regione Lombardia within the framework of regional agreements for research and innovation, using funds from the ERDF Regional Operational Programme 2014-2020.