Kenmode Boosts Production of Metal Stamped Busbars To Meet Growing Demand for Electric Vehicles
Kenmode Precision Metal Stamping has expanded its capabilities to meet demand for metal stamped busbars for all-electric and autonomous vehicles and hybrid cars.
ALGONQUIN, ILL. (PRWEB) OCTOBER 21, 2020 - As demand for electric vehicles has exploded in recent years, Kenmode Precision Metal Stamping has been adding new technical capabilities to produce custom busbars to transmit power in all types of electric vehicles, whether hybrid, all-electric, or autonomous (self-driving). Founded in 1960, Kenmode has produced precision metal stamped parts for the automotive and electronics industries for decades. To meet the need for new busbar designs, including larger parts, Kenmode recently added a 300-ton press for metal stamping.
For the automotive and transportation markets, custom metal stamped busbars of different sizes and complexities are required to transmit current from high-powered battery packs to a variety of electrical applications, including the engine itself and such electric-powered features as sunroofs, sensors, communications, windows, remote control, and anti-lock braking systems. Kenmode provides comprehensive services to take new busbar designs from concept to completion, including prototyping and design assistance, tool design, and precision metal stamping, as well as coordinating specialized finishing services to produce the complete busbar assembly.
“At Kenmode, we take pride in helping our customers get their new products to market as quickly and cost effectively as possible. That means we invest in new technology ahead of the curve to meet new requirements for our customers,” says Kurt Moders, president. “This is absolutely critical as the demand for electric vehicles grows exponentially.”
According to Bloomberg NEF market forecasts, electric cars are expected to grow from 2.7% of all global passenger vehicle sales in 2020 to 10% by 2025, rising to 28% in 2030 and 58% in 2040.
For electric vehicles, busbars must be both strong and lightweight, which allows vehicles to extend their range before recharging. The most commonly used materials for automotive metal stamped busbars are conductive alloys such as copper, bronze and aluminum. Due to the complexity of busbar assemblies for electric vehicles, many automotive OEMs and Tier 1 and 2 suppliers choose to start with a prototype busbar. Kenmode’s Tech Center provides rapid prototyping services and fast turnaround on approved designs.
“Every busbar design is different from one battery to the next because of fit and function. We work with our customers’ engineers to find the most economical way to produce the busbars needed,” observes Kurt Meissner, sales manager for key accounts. “One recent project for an electric vehicle required 13 new tool designs for the metal stamped busbars, which were sourced and built quickly by our in-house tool design team to a very successful and on-time launch.”
Kenmode also offers value-added finishing services, whether handled in-house or coordinated with our approved supply base – from complex busbar bending to metal plating, welding, hardware insertion, plastic injection molding, specialty coating for insulators, and cleaning – in order to deliver complete busbar assemblies on time and on budget.
ABOUT KENMODE PRECISION METAL STAMPING
Since its founding in the Chicago suburbs in 1960, Kenmode has built a reputation for strict adherence to uncompromised quality and performance standards in the manufacture of complex, high-precision custom metal stampings and assemblies for the automotive, busbar, electronics, consumer goods, insert molding, and medical device industries worldwide. Today, Kenmode fields one of the largest and most experienced engineering, design, and tool and die teams in the industry and employs the latest technology throughout the metal stamping design and production process. Kenmode handles a wide range of metal stamping materials and component parts, from micro-miniature medical stampings that incorporate precious metals to large automotive stampings made from steel.
