An interface-coordinated complete line for the highly efficient production of metallic bipolar plates is offered by the three companies VON ARDENNE, Weil Technology and ZELTWANGER, which have joined forces as partners in the GERMAN FUEL CELL COOPERATION (GFC).
They will show the advantages and possibilities of their system at Hannover Messe, April 22 – 26, in hall 13, booth D72.
Well positioned for the mobility requirements of tomorrow
Their fully coordinated production line plays a pioneering role in the market: By bundling their respective competences, the three German companies VON ARDENNE (Dresden), Weil Technology (Müllheim) and ZELTWANGER (Tübingen), as partners in the GFC, offer manufacturers of fuel cell and electrolyzer stacks comprehensive know-how in all sub-processes for the efficient production of metallic bipolar plates. With an annual production capacity of several million bipolar plates, it covers the current needs of the industry.
Weil Technology has developed the Laser Welding Cell (LWC), which precisely joins the thin metal foils at high welding speeds. For leak testing, ZELTWANGER brings in the fully automated ZED BPP 4-2 test station in addition to a manual test station, which also achieves very low cycle times. The VON ARDENNE coating system uses cathode sputtering or magnetron sputtering in the post-coating process to coat the bipolar plates directly on both sides. The GFC partners support their customers in the scaling of processes and systems from development on a laboratory scale to pilot production and high-volume production.
Machines are already being built for leading companies in the hydrogen and fuel cell industry. An ideal prerequisite for reducing dependence on fossil fuels quickly and efficiently.
From metal strip to fuel cell or elektrolyzer stack
The long-standing expertise of the three mechanical engineering companies covers all process steps. The joint development and careful coordination of the line concept enables smooth transitions at the interfaces of the individual production steps. For this purpose, the line processes pre-embossed half-plates made of stainless steel or titanium. In a first step, these are welded into bipolar plates, then tested for leak tightness and finally receive a PVD coating to functionalize the surface.
GERMAN FUEL CELL COOPERATION – Booth, dates, contact
April 22 – 26 2024
Hall 13, booth D72, Messe Hannover, Germany
Web: www.fuel-cell-cooperation.com | https://www.hannovermesse.de
VON ARDENNE develops and manufactures equipment for the industrial vacuum coating of materials such as glass, wafers, metal strip or plastic film. Depending on the application, these layers are one nanometre to a few micrometres thin and give the materials new functional properties. Our customers use these materials to manufacture high-quality products such as solar cells and solar modules, architectural glass and automotive glazing, fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries or microelectronic components for sensors and optics. Systems and components from VON ARDENNE thus make an important contribution to protecting the environment. They are crucial in the manufacture of products that help to consume less energy or generate energy from renewable resources.
With more than 60 years of experience in electron beam technology and over 45 years of expertise in magnetron sputtering, VON ARDENNE remains a pioneer and the world’s leading supplier of equipment and technology in PVD thin film and vacuum process technology. We offer our customers technologically advanced vacuum coating systems, comprehensive know-how and global service. The key components are developed and manufactured in-house at VON ARDENNE.
Weil Technology
As a machine builder and solution provider, Weil Technology supports the realisation of new production processes in sheet metal processing as well as the optimisation, automation and sustainability of existing ones.
The company’s core competence is machines for sheet metal processing by laser welding and cutting with coordinated clamping and automation concepts. Weil Technology can look back on over 35 years of experience in this field. At the company headquarters in Müllheim in southern Baden, around 250 employees develop and manufacture customised concepts and systems.
ZELTWANGER
The companies of the ZELTWANGER Group are among the technology and innovation leaders in the development and production of modern systems for automation, leak testing and thermal management.
For the e-mobility industry, ZELTWANGER offers diverse solutions for the quality assurance of battery systems, fuel cells and electric motors as well as the production of heat exchangers.
The modular devices and systems for leak and function testing are easily expandable through the use of plugand- play measurement modules to ensure high flexibility and scalability.
VON ARDENNE GmbH
Am Hahnweg 8
01328 Dresden
Telefon: +49 (351) 2637-300
Telefax: +49 (351) 2637-308
http://www.vonardenne.de
Corporate Communications
Telefon: +49 (351) 2637-9000
E-Mail: bauer.ingo@vonardenne.biz
