Inproves
A new generation of high-performance electric motors
January 2017
- November 2019
The electric sector will develop significantly, and we want to have a leading part in this revolution within the automotive world, consistently with the Industry 4.0 model” Alberto Bombassei, President of Brembo
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
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
Partners
The lead partner is Brembo; the other project partners are: eNovia, Mako-Shark, Magnenti Marelli, Motorsport, Peri, Politecnico di Milano – Department of Mechanics and Department of Energy, MDQuadro, UTPVision, University of Bergamo