Simulation-Assisted Method for Evaluating Innovative Production Technologies for Electric Traction Motors

Requirements for electric traction motors in the automotive context differ significantly from those applicable to industrial electric motors. Innovative production technologies and materials offer optimization potential in motor performance, production characteristics, industrialization and financial key performance indicators. However, those technologies also add to planning uncertainty. Therefore, this paper deals with a method for evaluating alternative production concepts in a structured way. The presented simulation-assisted method is devised to evaluate and integrate relevant characteristics for multi-stage production processes, while also considering uncertainty. This is illustrated by a case study from automotive industry, in which production technologies and line concepts for the large-scale stator production of electric traction motors are evaluated.