COLOGNE, Germany, May 6, 2021 – Ford is among a number of consortium partners that today announced the creation of a European research centre to investigate new production processes for the next-generation of electric motors.
The aim of the research project, called HaPiPro2, is to develop future-facing products and new processes that will form the foundation for various European manufacturers to play a leading global role in the mass-production of electric vehicle components.
The consortium includes Ford, Thyssenkrupp System Engineering, RWTH Aachen University’s 3D-printing and product engineering departments, and electric motor experts, Engiro. During the 36-month public-funded project, the companies will work together to develop flexible, scalable and efficient new production methods that could be used for future e-motor components along a single production line.
“Ford is committed to helping the industry enable the future of vehicle electrification,” said Gunnar Herrmann, executive chairman, Ford of Germany. “We are proud to host and contribute to this landmark research centre that will be a unique, advanced engineering platform for all companies to research and evaluate the future of electric motor production processes.”
The new e-motor joint research centre will be located within Ford’s Cologne-Niehl plant, in Germany.
The name of the initiative, HaPiPro2, refers to the hairpin technology used in the wire‑winding inside the e-motor assemblies. Hairpin technology is a key area of innovation in electric-drive systems, and the HaPiPro2 research will investigate how to exploit its potential to enable the efficient production of multiple e-motors variations on a single production line.
In addition to hosting the research centre on its site and operating the systems, Ford will lead the development of new laser-based methods for joining the copper hairpin contacts, and research the use of artificial intelligence tools for process control.
Contributions from other consortium partners include the Digital Additive Production department from RWTH Aachen University which will lend its 3D printing expertise to develop tooling for the production line and explore further opportunities for additive manufacturing in the production process.
Ensuring sustainability will also be a key deliverable for the consortium, with a closed-loop approach ensuring that maintenance, re-use and re-cycling of e-motor components will be considered alongside initial manufacture.
“The main objective of the HaPiPro2 project is about more than the efficient design of the e‑motor itself, but about developing variant flexibility when producing it,” said Prof. Achim Kampker, Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM), RWTH Aachen University. “The PEM at RWTH Aachen University will contribute its expertise in application-oriented research to the overall hairpin process chain, as well as the analysis of cause-effect relationships and the testing of digital methods within production planning.”
Ford’s commitment to an electrified future
The continued transformation of Ford’s business in Europe is being led by its commitment to an all-electric future, where it has put plans in place to lead in the areas that play to its strengths.
In February, Ford committed that its commercial vehicle range in Europe will be zero emissions capable, all-electric or plug-in hybrid, by 2024, with two-thirds of commercial vehicle sales expected to be all electric or plug-in hybrid by 2030. By mid-2026, 100 percent of its passenger vehicle range also will be zero emissions capable, all-electric or plug-in hybrid, moving to all-electric by 2030.
The company’s first European manufactured, all-electric volume passenger vehicle also will be built in Cologne in 2023 at the new Cologne Electrification Centre following a $1 billion investment it continues to modernize its facilities in the preparation for the shift to an all-electric future.
Ford’s commitment to electrification extends to the introduction of 17 new electrified vehicles for customers in Europe before the end of this year. These include all-new, all-electric Mustang Mach‑E, deliveries of which are now underway in Europe.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford trucks, utility vehicles, and cars – increasingly including electrified versions – and Lincoln luxury vehicles; provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company; and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected vehicle services. Ford employs approximately 186,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 43,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and consolidated joint ventures and approximately 58,000 people when unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 14 manufacturing facilities (10 wholly owned facilities and four unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
