Responding to Customer Needs with Electric Propulsion
What are the main challenges in electrification? In a conversation with Ruben Hus, Sales Engineer at VARIODRIVE, we delve into the rapidly evolving e-mobility market. Ruben transitioned from diesel to electric motors in 2020 and offers an insightful perspective on the challenges faced by machine builders. He also highlights the importance of optimal component selection and the opportunities that electrification presents for machine builders.
“Many machine builders are now gaining their first experience with electrifying machines. Taking out the internal combustion engine and putting in an electric motor, while retaining the existing architecture as much as possible. A understandable choice. This way, they can clearly see where they stand now and make a logical decision. This allows them to make an efficiency improvement, but not necessarily the most optimal one. With electric propulsion, you can actually better meet the end user’s needs.” – Ruben Hus, Sales Engineer e-mobility at VARIODRIVE.
Transitioning from Diesel to Electric Motors
Ruben went from lower technical education (LTS) to medium-level technical education (MTS), and finally to higher technical education (HTS) in Automotive. It’s not surprising that he subsequently worked for companies that sold industrial diesel engines. He started with engines up to 100 kW and later made the move to a supplier of engines up to 620 kW. In total, he worked for these companies for over 13 years until he asked himself a crucial question in 2020: Should I continue working in this industry?
“After 13 years, I asked myself: ‘How future-proof is my job in this market?’ Because when you work in diesel technology, you’re certainly not oblivious. I saw innovations at trade shows, and at the same time, emission regulations were getting stricter. I concluded that drive technology in this form is not the future. But then what is?
Electric propulsion has a significant advantage over other sustainable sources like hydrogen, for example. Subsidy programs, infrastructure, and its recognition among a wide audience contribute to this. So, in 2020, I decided to retrain as an electric motor specialist and join VARIODRIVE as a Sales Engineer. As you know, then came Covid, but despite that, VARIODRIVE and its suppliers provided me with excellent support. I quickly learned about the technology, market, and industry, and now, 3 years later, I’m very much in my element. And my knowledge of diesel technology and applications still comes in very handy.”
The Key Challenge in Electrification
“The primary challenge in transitioning to electric propulsion? The complexity of component selection has significantly increased. Previously, you would choose a diesel engine, but now you have to select an entire drive system, including the battery, which also represents a higher initial investment. If you lack experience in this realm, it can be quite a challenge. It’s not just about technical requirements; usage patterns also play a crucial role in component selection.
The core question is: What is the current usage profile of the operator, and does it still hold? Does the application run continuously for multiple hours, or does it intermittently require power for short periods? In the former case, you probably need a much larger (and heavier) battery, along with an electric motor capable of meeting this increased demand. While you used to simply refuel with diesel, now you need to consider recharging. And that’s just one example of the many questions that machine builders face. It’s not feasible to develop a single solution that’s efficient for both scenarios.
Yet, there’s a positive side to this challenge: machine builders can increasingly tailor their applications to the end user’s needs. The optimal component selection, customized to the end user’s requirements, can result in applications that are more economically appealing and more enjoyable to operate throughout the machine’s lifespan!”
Component Selection
VARIODRIVE, and specifically Ruben, collaborates with and supports machine builders who are right in the midst of this transition. Our experience with various applications, component knowledge, and exceptional access to key manufacturers make us an excellent partner for consultation. Working alongside our client’s engineers, we swiftly take the initial steps, ensuring that you can quickly embrace the opportunities presented by electrification. The first step, of course, is a conversation, in which we gladly delve into the technical details.
Passion for Electric Propulsion
“The wonderful and exciting aspect of electric propulsion is that you can observe, measure, and understand so much information directly. And this information can be stored and viewed by the customer through a cloud connection. This is still in its infancy, but I anticipate that it will present significant opportunities. For instance, when combined with autonomy, I see tremendous potential.
Additionally, the hydraulic aspect is certainly intriguing. Our partner, Parker, leads the market in this field and is making significant strides, particularly in the electrification of both the working and traction functions of heavy machinery in areas like construction. There’s certainly room for further efficiency improvement in this aspect as well.”
Variodrive in 5 years
Where will Ruben and VARIODRIVE be in 5 years? Ruben doesn’t need much time to think about it:
“I’m looking forward to working with a diverse range of clients. On one hand, we’ll have customers with whom we’ll traverse the path from prototype to series production, and on the other, clients who are developing one-off applications. This encompasses efficiency, as well as integration and connectivity. That’s what allows us, the VARIODRIVE team, to utilize all of our experience and expertise. This diversity enables us to provide each customer with the exact attention they require. That’s when we’re at our best.”
Interested in learning more about collaborating with VARIODRIVE and our experience with e-mobility applications? Feel free to get in touch with Ruben Hus via rhus@variodrive.nl or +31(0)186-636286.
