NPL in action
Powering precision for the EV future
Tim Thorburn, Managing Director of Craftsman Tools, explains how the I4M programme, part
of UKRI’s Strength in Places Fund and delivered by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), enabled his team to rethink and refine a
critical component of EV production: workholding for splined parts.
Engineering for the EV era EVs require a significantly higher number of splined components, which interlock like bike gears to transfer rotational force. These components are critical to the functioning of EV powertrains and differ substantially from traditional ICE parts in both shape and engineering requirements. “Our existing collets are designed for round, smooth components,” says Thorburn. “Splined parts present a completely different set of challenges when it comes to gripping them securely and accurately.” To address this, Craftsman Tools developed a new circular-formed splined collet. This design incorporates mating splines into their existing
Craftsman Tools is a UK-based, family-run precision engineering company, renowned for the design and manufacture of high-performance workholding and fixture devices. These tools are essential in machining environments, where they clamp components securely under high forces to ensure a high-precision finish. One of the company’s established product ranges, collets, has been widely used in the production of internal combustion engine (ICE) components, such as crankshafts and camshafts. However, as the automotive industry transitions to EVs, so too must the focus of suppliers. “We’ve built our reputation around solutions for ICE manufacturing,” explains Thorburn. “But as the industry shifts, we saw an opportunity to evolve.”
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Measurement & Manufacturing
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