2011 China Machinery Industry Science and Technology Award

Award-winning Organizations: Jiangnan University and Wuxi Xielì Automation Equipment Co., Ltd.

Project: Automated Mobile Batching System for Friction Materials Based on Wireless Communication

1. Project The importance and significance 
The “Wireless-Communication-Based Automated Mobile Mixing System for Friction Materials” developed under this project was initiated in 1997 and has undergone more than a decade of arduous, continuous research, development, and commercial promotion. It is now widely recognized by numerous renowned manufacturers of automotive friction materials and provides an ideal solution for the automated batching of friction materials. With further enhancements, the system is poised to enter cutting-edge friction-material production sectors such as aircraft brake pads and high-speed train EMU brake pads, thereby making a significant contribution to the development of domestically produced critical technological equipment. 
2. Project Initiation Background 
The batching system is a critical piece of equipment for ensuring the production quality of automotive friction materials, such as brake pads and clutch plates, with the quality of brake pads directly impacting vehicle safety. As China has become the world’s largest producer and consumer of automobiles, the domestic friction-materials industry urgently needs to upgrade its equipment capabilities; however, the persistent challenge of finding an ideal automated batching system tailored to friction-material formulations has long hindered industry development. Over recent years, this project has undergone continuous refinement and innovation, successfully addressing the complex task of automating the batching of friction materials that require a wide variety of raw ingredients, thereby effectively meeting the industry’s needs. 
3. Main scientific and technological content and the level of technological advancement 
The system under study in this project consists primarily of one industrial control computer, two weighing and batching carts each equipped with three weighing controllers, and several dozen feeding devices and material bins. The weighing controllers and the industrial control computer exchange data via ZigBee wireless communication modules, enabling the weighing carts to automatically move among multiple material bins for precise batching. This system effectively addresses challenges such as dust generation, feed blockage, and arching during the batching process, while delivering high control accuracy and reliability. In 2010, the system was implemented at Hangzhou West Lake Friction Materials Co., Ltd., where it supported the batching of up to 52 different raw materials. On December 7, 2008, the project passed the scientific and technological achievement appraisal organized by the Ministry of Education, with the appraisal committee unanimously concluding that the “wireless-communication-based mobile batching control system” has reached a domestically leading level. 
4. Economic and Social Benefits 
This project was initiated in 1997. Over the years, the systems developed under it have earned unanimous recognition from renowned refractory manufacturers such as Jiangsu Sujia Group, China Steel Group Refractories Company, and Beijing Lier Group, and continue to play a vital role in numerous enterprises while generating sustained economic benefits. In recent years, following continuous refinement and optimization, the system has also gained favor among many leading automotive friction-material producers. Companies including Shandong Jin Qilin, Hangzhou Xihu, Hangzhou Hangcheng, Zhejiang Kema, Zhejiang Pujiang Wansai, Yantai Fureiksen, Jinan Anda, and Hebei Xingyue have successively adopted this system. Over the past decade and more, the project has cumulatively delivered substantial economic returns to users. As the system is further promoted and applied, it will help elevate the overall production technology level of China’s automotive friction-material industry, particularly enabling mainstream Chinese brake-pad manufacturers to enhance their independent R&D and production capabilities for mid- to high-end brake pads, strengthen their international competitiveness, and generate significant socio-economic benefits.