A smooth transition to e-drive

The shift to e-mobility is in full swing. "It is high time to exchange fossil fuels and internal combustion engines for batteries and e-drives with hairpin stators, shafts and rotors. As an automation specialist, we are the right partner to make the switch smoothly," says Guido Segers, General Manager at SCHUNK Intec B.V.

"The transition to zero-emission drives requires major modifications in several areas. Electric drivelines are complex systems with multiple individual components that must meet the highest demands of automation. We support companies in the switch to e-drive. By cleverly combining our specialist knowledge and standard products, successful solutions are created. Meanwhile, several leading car manufacturers and their suppliers apply our products," Segers explains. "Joining forces leads to accelerated integration, enabling companies to remain at the forefront of the switch to e-mobility as well."

High-quality components

When automating electric drive lines, high-quality components are crucial. "For example, hairpin applications place high demands on flexibility, dynamics and precision. In turn, the process steps around the stator require safe operation. And mounting the shaft in the rotor requires high clamping forces. These are just a few examples." SCHUNK's products meet these requirements. "With our hydraulic expansion technology, for example, various e-drive components can be clamped precisely and without distortion. In turn, a gripper with long stroke is particularly suitable for handling parts with different diameters. Stator housing, rotors and electrical plates can be flexibly gripped and optimally rotated using swivel fingers. We also have mechanically controlled grippers in our range that are ideally suited for gripping stators in high-temperature applications, while gripping units allow us to lift e-drives and turn them 180 degrees. In short, whether it is the specific setting of hairpins, the handling of plate packages or the assembly of components into finished e-drives, we accompany companies from A to Z, taking into account special process requirements such as flexibility, precision and dynamics. This with the aim of achieving short cycle times with maximum reliability for a long life of the system."

Batteries

But not only the e-drive train itself, also the use of batteries brings completely new challenges to the automotive industry. "We offer support at every step in the production process, starting with cell production with requirements for cleanrooms and dry room environments over performing operations with sensitive components during assembly in battery modules to final assembly in the vehicle." Segers elaborates on this. "We have several solutions for both gripping round cells, prismatic cells and so-called pouch cells. Moving multiple prismatic cells for loading and unloading is also possible. Our grippers are suitable for different cell sizes. Thanks to the finger geometry, multiple prismatic cells can be gripped and collected simultaneously."

Fuel Cells

Finally, with regard to making the automotive industry more sustainable, SCHUNK has several solutions to integrate fuel cells into cars. "Fuel cells are also an important pillar in e-mobility. They are used in both mobile and stationary applications. Think of mobile applications in cars, trucks, buses and ships and in logistics in warehouses. Stationary applications can be found in backup generators for computer centers, homes and buildings or in industrial production."

Biopolar plate

A key component of a fuel cell is a bipolar plate. This is a flat plate made of conductive material that supplies current from one cell to the next, leading to a continuous supply of power. "For the assembly of bipolar plates and membranes, SCHUNK can provide companies with direct linear handling and large-area grippers. For the well-known stacks, our product range includes portals with gripping units for gripping finished stacks. The long, freely programmable stroke of the gripper enables the handling of different module sizes." This is just a small sample of the large number of products. "We offer various solutions for every application, either as individual components or as an integral system. Our application experts like to think along with the customer so that the automation becomes a success story."