Advancements in Casting Technology
A multitude of demands are placed on the wound coils of electrical machines. On the one hand, the maximum performance of an electrical machine should be achieved through a high slot fill ratio and thus a good use of the available assembly space. On the other hand, a good cooling of the coil must be ensured and any additional losses through current deflection should be avoided. There is also an overarching need for cost-effective and automated manufacturing and mounting of the coils. We developed a process that enables a casting technological manufacture of coils for electrical machines. The coil geometries produced in this processes, with a flat conductor layout, offer decisive advantages over conventionally produced coils.
Materials
- Copper and copper alloys
- Aluminum and aluminum alloys
Thus it is possible, depending on the requirements, to focus on performance, weight, price or ease of manufacture.
Insulating coatings
For the use in an electrical machine, the coil requires an insulating coating. Therefore, various coating processes are being developed and tested. Both conventional powder coatings and dip coating can be used, ensuring good dielectric strength as well as temperature resistance. Novel coatings offer the advantage of high temperature resistance with thinner layer thicknesses as well as the possibility of use in aggressive environments such as oils or refrigerants.
Casting process
Cast coils can be produced with a number of casting processes. The best process can be selected according to the coil size, the material or the number to be produced. We offer the following casting processes for coils:
- High-pressure die casting
- Investment casting
- Lost Foam casting
- Low-pressure casting
- Metal Injection Moulding
Thus, it is possible to choose the appropriate manufacturing technology for the size, number, material, and use.
Advantages
- Improved heat dissipation
- High current density
- High performance and torque density
- Ease of producing variants
- Substitution of copper with aluminum
Applications
Cast aluminum coils, especially in combination with novel coatings, enable the use of lighter electromotors for standard applications. High-performance machines with cast copper coils and very high slot fill ratios are also possible. Furthermore, specially coated aluminum coils enable the use in cooling systems with aggressive refrigerants to increase the effectivity of the plant and to counter the risk of corrosion to the electromotor.
Summary
The casting technological manufacture of coils enables completely new concepts for the design of electrical machines. From high-performance machines with copper coils to lightweight e-motors with aluminum coils, the fields of application are many.
Our services
- Electromagnetic simulation and constructive design of coil geometry
- Manufacture and coating of prototype series
- Fundamental process development for coils produced by casting technology
- Development, construction, and testing of electrical machines with cast coils
- Feasibility studies
- Consulting for setting up pilot series