VW opens competence centre for large castings in Kassel

Volkswagen Group Components has opened a new Large Castings Competence Centre at its Kassel site. Large castings are regarded as a key technology for structural components of the Group's future all-electric platforms.

Volkswagen will produce rotors for asynchronous motors using forming technology in Hall 2 and the foundry. In addition, it will make a high-voltage battery housing in a single casting. According to VW, the component previously consisted of 122 individual parts. “The complex casting process takes place on a three-plate mould with sprue from the centre, which is a further development on the previous large cast parts. The successful cooperation with the battery developers of the components and the cross-production area concept of the foundry and the completion in Hall 2 emphasise the innovative strength of the site,” the press release states.

The plant in the centre of Germany also focuses on further developing power electronics. In the Power Electronics Competence Centre, which opened around a year ago, VW produces pulse inverters and thermal management for batteries, so that these components will no longer be sourced from suppliers. The next step in the site’s transformation is the phasing out of exhaust system production and the simultaneous expansion of stator assembly for electric drives.

“Volkswagen Group Components is increasingly developing into a key supplier for electric mobility. Kassel is an example of successful transformation,” says Thomas Schmall, Group Board Member for Technology and CEO of Volkswagen Group Components. “The site is gradually building up new key competencies in electric drive systems and large castings. In this way, the Group Components sites play their part in the Volkswagen Group’s future strategy.”

“The aim is to further establish ourselves as a central driver of electric mobility within the Group,” adds Jörg Fenstermann, Plant Manager of the Volkswagen Group Components site in Kassel. “Our employees already have the expertise and skills to achieve this. The site strategy continues to focus on proven products, researching new technologies and focussing on quality, productivity and competitiveness.”

The new APP550 motor is also being built at the Kassel plant. According to insiders, there had been problems with the ramp-up of production, which is why significantly fewer electric motors are being manufactured at the site than would be technically possible. For this reason, Volkswagen cut back production at the electric car factory in Zwickau in January.

volkswagen-group.com (in German)