ESSIAL is a research project funded by the European Commission “Factory of the Future” programme. The ambition of the project is to use laser surface texturizing (laser scribing, irradiation, texturizing, …) on soft ferromagnetic materials, such as usual electrical steels and special alloys, in order to improve the performance and functionalities of laminated magnetic circuits.
These soft magnetic circuits, made from stack of steel sheets separated by an insulating layer, are becoming crucial in almost all industrial sectors, as they are key elements of industrial electrical machines (such as transformers, sensors, actuators, motors, generators …). Experts estimate that the market growth rate of soft magnetic materials will increase by 7.8% annually in the coming years!
The ESSIAL consortium, composed of research centers and companies that cover the whole value chain of soft magnetic materials, will develop innovative laser-based manufacturing processes to improve materials’ functionalities. Several prototypes will be produced to confirm the advantages of the ESSIAL solutions before possible mass production.
