Page 30 - Industrial Technology January 2020
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SYSTEMS INTEGRATION
EV BATTERY PRODUCTION
ROBOTICS
ROBOTS ARE PLAYING A LEADING ROLE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACKS FOR THE LATEST ELECTRIC VEHICLES
he growth in the number of electric and hybrid which in turn are made up from individual battery cells.
vehicles available today demonstrates the Some EVs may have around 3,000 individual battery
automotive industry’s determination to act upon cells, so as you can imagine automation plays a key role
Tenvironmental concerns. Electric vehicles (EVs) in the manufacture of these items.
with their low or zero emissions are definitely becoming a “Depending upon the specific configuration of the
highly strategic part of many OEMs’ business strategies. automated production system, the applications for our
This continued growth in demand for electric vehicles robots can differ. The typical process steps where our
brings with it the need for a huge supply of the lithium-ion robots add value include: initial unpacking of individual
batteries required to produce the power packs. In keeping cells, handling and transferring cells through cleaning,
with the automotive sector’s philosophy of automating voltage and resistance testing, laser marking and
manufacturing processes, battery production also needs to segregation of any reject cells, before good cells are
be automated, not only to keep pace with demand, but assembled into module bases.”
also to ensure the high standards of quality and safety The demand for battery packs, although significant
required. from the major OEM’s, is just one of the growth factors
With the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for within this sector. The development of increasing numbers
electric and hybrid vehicles alone estimated at around of autonomous vehicles, together with a move towards
35%, not to mention the increase in manufacture of replacing conventional petrol and diesel powered last mile
energy storage facilities, which also use similar delivery transport with electric powered alternatives will
technology, it is clear that there is, and will continue to be continue to place greater demand on battery
“ for some time, a very high demand for lithium-Ion battery manufacturers.
technology. Lithium-Ion batteries come in a number of
Jenkins concludes: “The EV revolution opens up
tremendous opportunities for Stäubli, as our existing range
forms including prismatic, cylindrical and pouch. However
SOME EVS MAY HAVE AROUND
for automotive applications, the individual cells are of field proven robots dovetail neatly into this demanding
3,000 INDIVIDUAL BATTERY predominately of the cylindrical variety, typically 3.7V and production environment. In addition to the cleanliness,
CELLS, SO AS YOU CAN IMAGINE 2600mAh. speed and precision, for which our systems are already
AUTOMATION PLAYS A KEY Stäubli robots are playing an increasingly important renowned, we have recently introduced ESD compliant
role in the manufacture of these battery packs, as sales versions of some of our range, which makes them ideally
ROLE IN THEIR MANUFACTURE
manager Simon Jenkins explains: “The battery pack in an suited for both applications in battery manufacture and
electric vehicle comprises a number of battery modules, motor assembly.
MORE INFORMATION: www.staubli.com/robotics • robot.uk@staubli.com • Tel: 01952 671917
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY • January 2020
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