Research projects:
Bristol

High Performance Electrical Machines Windings
Led by University of Bristol

This work package is split across three key themes, all of which are associated with and enabled by the use of additive manufacturing. Each of these three strands – investigating electrical conductivity and associated temperature coefficient, practical insulation of additive conductors, and integration of value-add geometries and features – aim to improve electrical machine efficiency, increase machine temperature ratings, and extract heat more effectively. By doing this, step changes in machine performance can be achieved. 

Measurement Protocol for Electrical Properties of Additively Manufactured Materials 

Experience has shown a wide variation in the resulting electrical properties (electrical conductivity and coefficient of resistivity) of AM components across copper and aluminium due in part to the broad range of manufacturing approaches and the number of influencing process parameters involved. Supplier estimates against in-house measurements show significant differences owing to different measurement methods (4- wire DC or eddy current probe) and sample geometry. This work package aims to develop a measurement standard based on ASTM B193-16 Standard Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor Materials for AM components which enables efficient parameter development and confidence in the resulting material properties.