Questions with Matteo Zoin

1) What measurement and testing solutions does Marposs provide for electric vehicles (EVs)?

Marposs has long provided measurement, inspection, and test solutions for powertrain components. These same technologies can be applied to EV components such as batteries, fuel cells, motors, cooling plates, etc. What may not be as well-known is our ability to provide testing solutions on a variety of components, especially for leak testing and electrical discharge testing.

2) Why is leak testing electric powertrain components important?

For batteries and fuel cell components to function properly, as in internal combustion engine (ICE) components, it’s crucial to perform leak testing to ensure all fluids and chemicals are properly contained.

Components employed in EV powertrains, such as batteries, fuel cells, and power electronics must be sealed according to IP specifications to prevent potential water or moisture exposure that can affect the system’s operation. Additionally, these components feature cooling circuits that work with refrigerant gas or water glycol mixtures to remove the heat generated from normal operation. All cooling circuits, cooling plates, hoses, and heat exchangers must also be tested to guarantee efficiency of the cooling device and to prevent leakage that could lead to a short circuit.

3) Which leak testing solutions does Marposs provide?

As a respected global test, measurement, and inspection company in the automotive industry, Marposs is a one-stop shop for all EV leak-testing needs. Marposs has three distinct brands and manufacturing centers dedicated to leak testing.

Tecna specializes in leak test instruments for manual and automated EV testing systems.

HeTech specializes in semi-automatic and manual helium vacuum systems for more demanding EV applications where trace gas methods outperform traditional air test methods.

MG specializes in automated test and assembly systems for EVs. Many of the techniques and strategies MG developed for ICE fuel components throughout the years are easily applied to battery and fuel cell leak test systems.

4) How can manufacturers know which leak testing methodology is most suitable?

They should open a discussion with a sales engineer from a proven test and measurement company. At Marposs, we specialize in all phases of EV leak testing methods and processes using air test instruments, trace gas vacuum testing, and automation systems. We can explore what options will work best for optimizing a particular process. Our sales engineers are backed by a long company history of investing significantly in R&D every year, which has led to our July 2020, invest-ment in Italian electrical motors and equipment test company E.D.C.

5) What does E.D.C. Marposs provide for EVs?

E.D.C. has decades of experience specializing in electric motor testing with standout performance in Partial Discharge Measurement Systems, which use capacitor coupling technology enabling 100% detection of any defects that could generate failures in e-motors. This is critical as permanent partial discharges lead to slow, but continuous, weakening of the functional parts of the insulation system, resulting in premature motor failure.

For more information: https://www.marposs.com/vs/ev/index.htm