New mobility concepts require new ideas in terms of development and design of the appropriate manufacturing technology. In the market of e-mobility and fuel cell technology, Weil Technology offers pioneering production solutions using laser cutting, laser welding and punching. In addition, as part of the development and innovation division, our TechCenter offers advice concerning welding-compatible component design, investigations into process stability, the development of laser-compatible clamping technology, the validation of components and the manufacturing of prototypes and pilot series production.
> Laser cutting and welding of bipolar plates
The central elements of fuel cells are bipolar plates, usually made of thin-walled nickel or stainless steel sheets, which are joined together. Their complex structure of flow channels and lines places special demands in terms of a good seal, process times and reproducibility. In the case of the required production quantity, the economic efficiency of the production process is also highly relevant.
Intelligent system partnerships and welding concepts from Weil Technology score points in the large-scale production of metallic bipolar plates.
As a joining process in serial production, this is where laser welding offers many advantages. With a contour accuracy of 0.05 mm, 100 % gas seal and the lowest levels of heat input for minimal distortion, the quality of the weld is convincing. In addition, it is spatter-free/oxide-free and provides a very high level of consistency in the welding depth. The maximum welding speed and high system dynamics score points in terms of output.
It is implemented, for example, in our LWC 4-station rotary table with innovative scanner technology for precise and efficient production, or our LCC 2-station system with a small-field scanner and oscillating beam guidance for very high quality.
> Laser cutting of electrical sheets
For the prototype production of electrical steel sheets, usually only 5 to 10 motors are built, which makes an expensive press tool uneconomical.
Here individually set up turnkey laser cutting lines with integrated qualifying and packaging show the way into the future. To improve the electrical efficiency, the individual sheet thicknesses are continuously being reduced – today to < 0.15 mm. These material thicknesses can no longer be produced or packaged with the very filigree geometries of punching tools. In serial production, this is where the advantages of laser cutting technology come into play.
The turnkey laser cutting line for the production of electrical sheets is called LCC 1001e at Weil Technology. It provides convincing results with minimal material thicknesses in terms of cutting quality, contour accuracy, burr-free cutting and a homogeneous melt-off edge. Further advantages include the cutting speed, high system dynamics, automation, and output as well as the qualification that is possible.
> Laser welding of stator packs
Efficient large-scale production plays an important role in stator manufacturing. The developments of Weil Technology for a turnkey laser welding line, including test chain for stator packs, make a significant contribution towards faster production with qualitatively reliable end products.
> Laser welding high voltage heaters
The FLC concept of Weil Technology enables the evolutionary production of highvoltage heaters on four clusters per tool/station. The modular design and quick changeover enable a rapid production start-up with optimized utilization.
> Cell contacting by laser welding
The contacting of battery cells by laser is very precise and effective. The advantages of laser processing are the short processing time, the low energy input and the very high consistency of the welding depth. Our LWC rotary table with 2 stations for process-parallel loading and unloading, path control via scanner optics as well as automated tools is Weil Technology’s solution for your production in this field. In battery production, the company also develops special welding solutions for handling stainless steel.
> Punching of radiator fins for power coolers
Both for sheet metal forming and fineblanking for the production of radiator fins, the SEP 40 automatic punching machine is Weil Technology’s solution for a highly efficient production. It masters material thicknesses of 0.3 mm – 0.5 mm in up to 6 tracks with up to 350 strokes/min.
Contact
Weil Technology GmbH
Neuenburger Straße 23
79379 Müllheim
Germany
+49 7631 1809 0
info@weil-technology.com
Weil Technology North America LLC
25921 Meadowbrook Rd.
Novi, MI 48375
USA
+1 248 344 2211
info@weil-technology.com