Philipp Arnold and Dr. Jakob Jung, both specialists in engine development, founded Additive Drives GmbH in Dresden with manufacturing technology expert Axel Helm. The founders brought experience in engine development and manufacturing technology to the company after seeing how long the development of new electric drives could take in the automotive sector. Their work led to a business focused on developing electric motors that can be adapted to the requirements of individual applications rather than relying on standardized designs. Additive Drives now has more than 70 employees and works with customers in automotive, aviation, robotics, industry, and other sectors.
The company’s customer base includes major automotive manufacturers, aviation companies, and global companies in robotics and industrial technology. Additive Drives’ website lists companies including Volkswagen, Toyota, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Bosch, ABB, Schaeffler, ZF, and Continental among its customers. The company has also worked on more than 300 projects and holds 20 patents, with projects ranging from new powertrains in motor racing and aviation to electric vehicles and drives for manned space travel.
Custom Designs for Efficiency and Power
Additive Drives develops specialized motors according to the power, size, efficiency, durability, and other requirements of the application. Even relatively small changes to a motor’s design can alter its performance, allowing manufacturers to create a drive that is more efficient, more durable, or smaller than a conventional design. This customization is particularly relevant in applications where available space, weight, power output, or energy consumption can affect the performance of the finished vehicle or machine.
The company’s technology is used to produce electric motors with high power density and efficiency. Additive Drives reports that its electric motor technology can deliver up to 45% higher power density and 70% lower losses, while its industrial motors can reach efficiencies of up to 98%. The company also develops high-performance motors with power densities of up to 25 kilowatts per kilogram. These figures reflect the engineering requirements involved in applications where manufacturers need more power from a smaller motor package.
From Prototypes to Series Production
Additive Drives has built its business around both prototyping and series production. Its manufacturing technologies allow new motor designs to move from prototype production into series manufacturing without the tooling costs associated with some conventional production methods. This gives manufacturers more room to test different motor configurations and refine the design before producing larger quantities. The same production capabilities can then be used for specialized series motors adapted to a particular application.
The company applies these capabilities across several areas of electric-drive development. Its work includes traction drives, fan motors for heat pumps, torque motors used in industrial systems, and specialized motors for automotive and aviation applications. Additive Drives also develops technologies such as its NextPin system and optimized hairpin stators, along with wavewinding stators, high-performance single coils, oil-cooled electric motors, and other motor technologies. These technologies give manufacturers additional options when specifying the electrical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics of a drive system.
Electric Motors for Aviation, Automotive and Robotics
Aviation is one of the sectors where Additive Drives applies its electric-motor technology. Aircraft propulsion requires motors that deliver high power while meeting requirements for weight, size, efficiency, and reliability. The company works with partners worldwide on electric-drive technologies for aviation, alongside projects in automotive engineering, motor racing, robotics, and industrial machinery.
Additive Drives also develops electric-drive technologies for applications beyond transportation. Electric motors can replace hydraulic systems in industrial equipment, while specialized motors can power traction systems, heat-pump fans, and other machinery. The company has worked on projects involving electric aviation, autonomous cargo drones, three-phase induction motors, additive-manufactured electrical steel sheets, and other drive technologies. These projects involve different motor designs and manufacturing methods selected according to the requirements of each application.
ABOUT | DR. JAKOB JUNG
Dr. Jakob Jung, co-founder, is the Managing Director of Additive Drives GmbH, a Dresden-based company specializing in customized electric motors and electric-drive technology. He co-founded the company in 2020 with Philipp Arnold and Axel Helm, bringing expertise in motor development and manufacturing technology to the business.
Jung studied Automation Technology, Robotic Systems, Machine Tools and Actuators at Technische Universität Dresden from 2004 to 2010. His work at Additive Drives focuses on electric motor development, additive manufacturing, and electric-drive technologies for applications including automotive, aviation, robotics, motorsport, and industrial systems. He is also listed as an author on research concerning manufacturing technologies for electric-machine windings and the reduction of AC copper losses in electric traction machines.
