Aperam, a global player in stainless, electrical, alloys and specialty steels as well as recycling and renewables, announces the launch of its innovative “slinky” production method – a new technology that enables the creation of slinky stators and rotors through an in-plane helical winding process.
While this process is already used in the electrical steel industry, Aperam’s breakthrough lies in adapting it to iron-cobalt (FeCo) alloys, which are known for their exceptional magnetic performance but challenging formability. This advancement unlocks new design possibilities and delivers significant material savings, making it a more sustainable and efficient solution for high-performance electric motor production.
The new “slinky” method marks a leap forward in how Aperam supports the future of carbon-neutral mobility, particularly in aviation, eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft), and hypercars. Rather than stamping components from sheet metal – a method known for its high material waste – “slinky” uses a unique combination of linear stamping and in-plane helical bending to form motor components from continuous strips. This innovation reduces metal scrap to just 10–30%, compared to conventional methods that can waste up to 70% of this high-cost material.
Courtesy of Aperam.