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CVE and Ford improve production of electric motor stators

02 October 2025

CAMBRIDGE VACUUM Engineering (CVE) and Ford have successfully completed a £430,000 Innovate UK-funded EB-eDrive project - proving that the manufacture of electric motor stators can be improved by utilising advanced electron beam welding.

"As automotive brands look to deliver higher performance, longer range electric vehicles at lower costs, it’s clear that electron beam welding has a major role to play. We are seeing the same story play out in other industries - for example in the energy sector where electron beam welding can enhance the production of wind turbine monopiles and nuclear pressure vessels. We are grateful to Innovate UK for this funding. Projects like this open the door for the commercialisation of advanced manufacturing technologies and will help the UK remain at the forefront of electric vehicle production. We look forward to working with Ford moving forwards," said CVE CEO Bob Nicolson.

  • Does not require any preparation of the hairpins, such as trimming, as the electron beam does not suffer from reflectivity issues as infrared lasers do.
  • Produces welds that are strong, displaying – on average – a tensile strength six times the minimum limit.
  • Allows easy outgassing thanks to the use of a vacuum environment, leading to completely pore-free welds in oxygen-free (OF) copper.

camvaceng.com

 
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