Spotlight on fully-integrated electro-mechanical propulsion systems
Dana Incorporated (Dana) revealed its comprehensive Spicer® Electrified™ with TM4® portfolio, including fully integrated electro-mechanical propulsion systems featuring gearboxes, electric motors, inverters, and thermal-management technologies at the IAA Commercial Vehicles 2018.
Addressing the media, Mr. Jim Kamsickas, President and CEO, Dana, said: “We are equipped to provide full e-Propulsion systems across all gross vehicle weight (GVW) categories, platforms, and architectures, from fully integrated e-Propulsion systems that include electric motors, inverters, gearboxes, and thermal management, to individual subsystem components designed to meet the individual requirements of a customer’s vehicle, our Spicer Electrified with TM4 solutions are revolutionizing power conveyance and positioning Dana as a leader in the evolution of mobility.”
Ranging from complete systems and modular solutions to individual sub-system components, Dana is able to support its customers in developing series and parallel hybrid configurations up to full battery-electric vehicles.
Dana’s electrified product offerings are able to meet the diverse architecture and platform requirements of its broad customer base in the light vehicle, commercial-vehicle, and off-highway markets.
Leveraging more than 20 years of vehicle electrification experience, Dana is able to meet region-specific requirements across the globe through its 23 worldwide technology centers and 140 operations in 33 countries.
Direction for India
Despite its unique infrastructural challenges, India must proactively look at electrification of vehicles in the mobility segment. Sharing details of Dana’s roadmap for India in the direction of e-mobility, Mr. Saket Sapra, Managing Director, Dana India, said: “The critical element is to have the right products for the market and what we bring into India, will depend on the customer and market requirements, government legislation and policy. We will be ready with innovative products for the market. If it is alternative fuels and systems, we will still need advanced, fuel efficient and lightweight drive-train products.”
“With TM4, Dana globally has added the cutting edge product line of electric drive motors, power invertors and controls. We now have the entire range of products globally to cater to the diverse architecture and platform requirements of our customers, from the traditional electrified architecture to advanced technology products such as integrated e-axles.”
“We will regionalize the products in India to meet market demands. We are, of course planning for expansion, which is an essential element of our enterprise strategy in India. It all depends on the direction that the market moves towards and we will cater to its specific demands.” he added.
Dana has about 300 engineers in India who work on light vehicles, medium and heavy vehicles, off-highway and thermal management products. In fact, Dana India’s technical center caters to all the business units globally. “The team in India provides design and other engineering solutions for India and Dana’s global requirements. Further, we have engineering teams across the globe and what we design and manufacture as per the unique requirements of one region we can adapt and modify to suit the requirements of other regions. It is truly one company globally. We get support from our global engineering and sales teams, very much like the major OEMs who are global too,” added Mr. Sapra.
When probed on the recent legislation that allows for 20-25 per cent increase in the axle loads, he beamed: “As far as the changes in legislation is concerned, we are well positioned with our optimized products on the field. If the OEMs make changes, such as to their engines, suspensions, tyres, etc., we will cater to their specific requirements. Our axles are regionalized in India in sync with the requirements for the region. Even while doing so, we meet Dana’s global standards.”
For the uninitiated, Dana India Pvt. Ltd. and the Dana India Technical Centre Pvt. Ltd. are two 100 per cent subsidiaries of Dana Incorporated. Dana India Pvt. Ltd. has two M&HCV drive-axle manufacturing facilities and one off-highway manufacturing facility dealing with the agriculture and construction sector. Light vehicle axles for the commercial and passenger segment as well as the propeller shaft business is under the aegis of Spicer India Pvt. Ltd. “Our JV companies include Spicer India Pvt. Ltd. with Anand Group; Victor Reinz India Pvt. Ltd. with the Jayant Group; and Axles India Ltd., producing axle housings. We also have the power-transmission and fluid power business of Brevini Group S.p.A.”, informed the MD.
With the recent acquisition of a controlling interest in TM4, Dana’s electrification capabilities now include in-house design and manufacturing for electric motors, power inverters, and control systems. Combined with Dana’s existing core expertise in driveline, sealing, and thermal management, the company employs a systems-focused approach to e-Propulsion, guiding electric and hybrid vehicle development for enhanced performance, packaging optimization, and reduced system weight with best in class performance.