Spring is here and OGC is ready!

April is almost over and it seems like it has flown by. With a few holidays it’s always a short operational period, but we never set down tools completely at OGC, as it’s in our culture and mindset to always be available for our global customers.

On March 28th, I attended the Electric Revolution Skills Hub conference at the Birmingham International Convention Centre to gain an insight to the electrification developments within UK companies and how it dictates the skills needed to support the future roadmap. It was quite an eye-opener into the path of the electric future - make sure to read below for more information.

The US office has seen a new record sales month with several gage orders for tier 1 and tier 2 automotive suppliers. We’ve continued to have many exciting conversations - both to start building new relationships and explore expanding current partnerships. There are also some facility tours in the works which we’re eagerly awaiting. 

Part of the OGC team will be attending Control Messe – the world’s leading international trade fair for quality assurance that takes place in Stuttgart, Germany the 2nd week of May. With over 500 exhibitors from more than 20 countries displaying updates from the fields of vision systems, image processing, sensor technology and measurement systems, there will be plenty to share with you in next month’s newsletter.

The 2nd quarter of 2023 has kicked off strong while we remain truly dedicated to our craft and our customers. We stand by our mission to become the number one, most trusted global leader for mechanical gages – delivering superior product quality, exceptional service and exceeding expectations every time.

Electric Talk is all Abuzz

The world is experiencing a significant shift towards electrification and it's not just in the automotive sector. With the growing demand for renewable energy and energy efficient technologies, industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, transportation and construction are also adopting electric-powered equipment. We’ll dive further into the other sectors in future editions, but let’s focus on automotive for now.

Motor drives and transmissions are undergoing significant changes to meet the demands of this revolution. These components are responsible for controlling the speed, torque, direction and horsepower of motors - making them essential for efficient and reliable performance.

Motor drives are adopting integrated systems to simplify the design and installation process by combining the motor, power electronics and control systems into a single unit. We’ve already seen the evolution of transmissions to hybrids and e-axles, but they are now switching to direct-drive systems, where the electric motor is connected directly to the drivetrain. This eliminates several traditional components, while accommodating higher torque levels and better performance. Electric power requires unique demands - these approaches provide better efficiency, lower maintenance and greater reliability than traditional combustion engines.

That being said, electric motors and transmissions still utilize splined drive shafts and gear boxes to transfer torque from the rotor to the load being driven, but the requirement for lighter and quieter motors, while still providing enough power, means the gear ratios are changing and tolerances are becoming tighter.

OGC International is very much integrated into this revolution, as we carefully consider our business plans to ensure alignment with the technical demands and challenges forthcoming. Standing still within this environment is not an option - as products become smaller, weight becomes a challenge and the expectation of achieving more horsepower and speed continues, demands for tighter control of components become paramount.  We are actively stepping up and discussing the future demands and requirements with our customers now, so we can all be prepared for the future. 

If you would like more information or to engage with OGC USA on any technical projects and challenges, please email kstanley@ogc-usa.com