Achieving CO2-neutral transportation requires large-scale electric vehicle production, posing significant manufacturing challenges. Electric vehicles consist of components with multi-physical functionalities and intricate interdependencies that exceed the capabilities of current production systems. This paper examines key drivetrain components, including power supply systems, batteries, power electronics, and traction motors. It reviews state-of-the-art manufacturing and associated challenges. Analytical and numerical modeling approaches as well as product-specific trends are highlighted. Furthermore, the paper puts emphasis on life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle engineering (LCE), as electric drivetrains pose distinct challenges compared to conventional drivetrains. Lastly, future research demands for electric mobility production technology and component-specific research fields are outlined. (c) 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of CIRP. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Additive manufacturing has advanced rapidly since its origins in the 1980s. While some processes are now commercially viable, others remain experimental. A key ambition has been to combine multiple materials in a single part, enabling novel properties and overcoming traditional limitations of fabrication and assembly. Multi-material additive manufacturing offers a potential step change across industries, though scaling from lab to industry remains a challenge. This work explores the enabling technologies and science behind metal multi-material additive manufacturing and proposes how the research community can advance these innovations for meaningful industrial impact. (c) 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of CIRP. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Workpiece clamping systems (WPCS) constitute core elements of machining systems. As part of the force flow and accuracy path, WPCS influence the performance and efficiency of the manufacturing processes. By functional integration, enhanced capability can be introduced to the machining system. Monitoring, active adjustment and process control can be achieved. The layout, design and optimisation of WPCS should be an integrated element in process planning. For this, computer aided support systems are available. Modelling of WPCS enables virtual analyses of process-workpiece-fixture interaction and makes optimisation possible. This paper gives an overview of the technology of WPCS and introduces future perspectives. (c) 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of CIRP. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Traditional production scheduling and control are increasingly inadequate in light of the rapid evolution of manufacturing technology, the growing impact of unforeseen disruptions, and the generally increasing complexity of production. A framework for future-proof production scheduling and control is introduced to close this gap, providing a comprehensive overview of future requirements and the necessary technologies and approaches. Robust decision criteria are derived, explained and filled with major recent advances in production scheduling and control, digital twins, artificial intelligence, and knowledge formalisation. Emerging trends are discussed, and an outlook for future research and decision-making is derived. (c) 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of CIRP. This is an open access article under the CC BY NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Gears are subject of increasing accuracy requirements. The measuring processes are usually traced back to calibrated gear standards. Differences between the calibration process and serial inspections led to enhanced measurement uncertainty, especially for gear standards with intentionally modified flanks. This article analyses the dimension-over-balls parameter (MdK) on cylindrical gear standards with modifications. MdK-values, calculated from measured pitch points, show significant deviations from calibration values. A mathematical solution is presented that interprets flank angle modifications as changes of the standard's basic geometry. Experiments showed that this approach offers improved MdK-evaluations, even if the pitch probing points differ from the contact points of MdK-probing balls. (c) 2025 CIRP. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.
