Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RLICS (Robust Lightweight Cardan Shaft)
Période du rapport: 2019-12-01 au 2020-05-31
Resource efficiency and the global trends towards CO2, air pollution, fuel and material reduction are main and increasing topics in today’s society and also affecting the production of CVs. To pursue these goals in the automotive industry, different solutions to reduce weight of CVs need to be found without a loss of security. This is one of the reasons why Hohn developed its new Robust Lightweight Cardan Shaft (RLICS) meeting all these described goals. RLICS is a radically new approach to construct cardan shafts. Due to the innovative design as well as a result of simplifying the fabrication, the new product is approx. 30 % lighter than conventional cardan shafts are and has an increased lifetime even under higher loads. Also, RLICS’s stability and safety are improved while proven materials are used.
The objective was to perform a feasibility study, to confirm the technological, practical and economic feasibility of the system. At that, the evaluation of the market and competitive landscape was a major point in this feasibility assessment. In addition, the objective was to develop an implementation plan and elaborate the business plan and commercialisation strategy based on the insights generated during market assessment and involvement of potential customers.
After identification of promising applications and market segments and after evaluating market potential, competitive landscape and feedback of involved customers and stakeholders, we conclude to continue with this project and to apply for EIC accelerator pilot / phase 2-funding. The objectives, concept and approach and the impact described in the grant are still valid and were validated during the phase 1-project.
During the elaboration of commercialisation strategy and based on market feedback, we concluded that we have to use several communication channels and measures to directly address manufacturer of CVs. We also have to follow an implementation plan mainly focussing on the implementation of technical adaptions and up-scaling the production to develop and introduce a market-mature technology.
The integration of the new RLICSs will reduce air pollution, fuel and material consumption while supporting resource efficiency and the global trend towards CO2 reduction. Longevity of our product is increased compared to conventional cardan shafts. And another point which does not have to be disregarded: RLICS increases safety on the roads.