GKN to present PM technology for hybrid and electric drivetrains and transmissions at VDI Congress
June 28, 2017
Experts will discuss opportunities for PM in hybrid and electrical drivetrains and transmissions (Courtesy GKN Sinter Metals)
The International VDI Congress ‘Drivetrain for Vehicles’ is set to place in Bonn, Germany, July 5-6, 2017. The 17th event in the series will once again offer a conference and exhibition focused on all aspects of transmission and powertrain technology.
Both GKN Driveline and GKN Sinter Metals will be at the event. In addition to a number of conference presentations, experts from the company will be on hand in the exhibition to discuss opportunities for Powder Metallurgy technology in hybrid and electrical drivetrains and transmissions.
GKN Sinter Metals, together with GKN Driveline, has built a first PM gear demonstrator for e-Drive applications to evaluate the technical feasibility of PM gears. During first bench tests with a non-densified PM gear, the company reports a positive influence on the transmission’s noise-behaviour. “In our test assembly, the PM gear reached up to 3 dB lower structure borne noise levels in single rpm/loading conditions, as well as the ability to influence the Eigen frequencies of the unit,” stated Dr Gerd Kotthoff, Director Advanced Gear Technology & Site Director Innovationcenter Radevormwald.
“This spurred our team to take a rounded view on the development of a purposed PM gear design, based on our vast experience with surface densified transmissions gears. During the second phase of our study we demonstrated that densified PM gears perform equal to steel gears passing all typical test methods for durability, transitory torque, torsion fatigue at 100% and 130% load and torsional strength on a highly compatible level.
GKN Sinter Metals and GKN Driveline will be on stand no 145 at the VDI Congress (Courtesy GKN Sinter Metals)
“We are now working on different optimisations to further increase the benefits in performance and NVH behaviour. Designing a tailored micro-geometry for a surface densified PM gear based on a realistic eDrive application is only one example. The ongoing research gives us a deeper insight into performance and NVH requirements,” added Kotthoff.
Representatives of both GKN Driveline and GKN Sinter Metals will be at the event. The company’s stand, no 145, is located on the lower floor of the venue.
