---

Mii Technologies is Way Cool

26 May 1999

Mii: A Cool Alternative To Hot Alternators

    W. LEBANON, NH--(AutomotiveWire)--May 26, 1999--Mii Technologies today announced technology which may allow alternator designers and manufacturers to extend the life of existing "claw pole" designs by enabling them to be more thermally efficient.
    Alternators lose a substantial amount of energy in their stators, particularly at high frequencies. As alternator power and frequencies increase to meet the electrical power requirements of today's vehicles, stator energy losses are heating up to the point where some vehicle manufacturers are employing expensive liquid cooling techniques to "beat the heat." Mii's "low core loss" soft magnetic materials and "True Dimensional Control(TM)" net shape part manufacturing technology enable a cool alternative to hot alternators and a major cost avoidance opportunity for alternator users.
    According to Dr. David Lashmore, Mii's Director of Research and Development, "Mii alternator stators can be fabricated from Mii's "SM" line of soft magnetic materials. Mii's soft magnetic materials begin with micron-sized, pure iron particles onto which Mii applies a precise, insulated inorganic coating. Mii's ability to very precisely control coating thickness results in soft magnetic materials with predictable, low core losses for applications with high frequency components, harmonics and switching transients. For example, in an alternator application running at 600 Hz. (cruising speed), Mii's SM-2 soft magnetic material dissipates less than 90 watts/ pound as opposed to as much as 240 watts/pound for some alternator laminations. In addition to running cooler in alternator applications, Mii's soft magnetic materials have good strength and do not "creep" at high engine compartment temperatures. "
    Glenn Beane, Mii's President and COO, added "Mii's advanced materials technology is married to Mii's "True Dimensional Control(TM)" net shape part manufacturing technology for efficient, low cost fabrication of alternator stators in virtually "one step." Mii forms alternator stators to extraordinarily high, uniform densities and tolerances in one step, rarely necessitating any secondary processing other than simple heat treating to magnetically condition stators for certain applications. Net shape geometries typical of Mii's part manufacturing technology challenge those heretofore reserved for expensive metal injection molding (MIM) technology.

    Background:
    Mii provides reliable, cost effective solutions to many applications requiring highly engineered materials combined with low cost net shape part manufacturing technology.

    SOURCE: DigitalWork ( http://www.digitalwork.com )
    WHERE SMALL BUSINESS GOES TO WORK