Future Electrified Mobile Machines “FEMMa”

National and international targets for achieving carbon neutrality also apply to mobile working machines. Mobile work machines play a significant role in basic production (e.g. mines, agriculture, and forestry) and logistics (e.g. ports). To achieve carbon neutrality, machine manufacturers are developing electrification and digitalization solutions. The aim is to ensure competitiveness by improving environmental friendliness, safety, and efficiency. 

Electrification of work machines refers to a concept-level change that affects the component level, machine level and work site level. The working machines are equipped with a tool or some other effecting device and operate under harsh conditions. The project explores the characteristics of individual components and how they affect the design and operation of the working machine. At machine level, the optimal power and energy use for machine movement and for the tool operation during the work cycle is studied, considering the limitations of electrical components. At the site level, we examine how work cycles are designed and coordinated, while also considering the specific characteristics of electrically operated machinery, such as the transmission of energy to the working machine during the working cycle.

Electrification of work machines changes the operational logic of the entire site, so it is a system-level change. Therefore, the study addresses research questions from component level to work machine fleet level issues. System-level solution is possible through digital technologies. Electrification and digitalisation offer a whole new potential to develop solutions for diagnostics and maintenance and the project will assess the impact of the systemic change on business opportunities.

Business Finland

Companies:

• Cargotec Finland Oy
• Ponsse Oyj
• Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
• Valmet Automotive EV Power Oy