DSD has announced further investment to enable the ability to design, test and develop entire EV powertrains. In undergoing a strategic recruitment drive, the company now has a growing capability that serves 48V and high-voltage traction systems.
With automotive industry increasingly investing in EV technologies, the development will enable the company to meet demand. DSD’s engineering director, John Morton said, “Electrification is the industry’s chosen route to improve CO2 emissions, and the most effective way to implement this is with a high degree of integration of the different elements of the electrified powertrain. By building on our existing experience and expanding our electrical test facilities, we are able to support the growing industry demand for this type of work.”
The expansion of the Leamington Spa-based company – which will see a 300kW, 800V battery emulator and two additional loaded test rigs added to DSD’s driveline test facility, in addition to a headcount growth of 40% – will enable the ability to provide a full service for OEMs, from the generation of concept designs to development of a final electrified powertrain solution.
Morton also discussed how the company has enhanced existing skills originally developed in the design and control of 12V actuation systems: “Much of our success is based on applying and extending our existing knowledge base into new areas.
“We’re accustomed to meeting much greater control challenges than those presented by a typical traction motor because of our existing experience in the control of high speed, high precision actuation. This means we can apply existing expertise to good effect in both familiar yet challenging, or new and innovative areas.”
September 28, 2017