With production lines for battery cell housings, electrical sheets for e-motors and bipolar plates for fuel cells, Schuler already offers several solutions for e-mobility. However, with the acquisition of the Italian Sovema Group and its U.S. affiliate Bitrode Corporation last summer, Schuler can supply systems not only for housings, but complete battery cells. At Battery Show Europe, the companies now showcase their solutions for manufacturing and testing.
“The combination of Sovema’s battery manufacturing know-how and Schuler’s competence in handling large projects makes us an ideal solution provider for gigafactories”, says Hermann Uchtmann, Head of the Product Group. The companies’ scope includes both cell assembly and cell finishing, two main process steps to produce cylindrical, prismatic or pouch cells.
As one example for mass production solutions already available, Sovema’s General Manager Massimiliano Ianniello presented a fully automated, remotely controllable roll to roll notching machine for the shaping of electrodes with an output of 300 parts per minute. Another example for the company´s portfolio are automated cell finishing plants including intralogistics.
With end of line tests, the quality of the cells is analyzed before they are assembled into modules and then packs. To meet the current and future demands in testing, the Bitrode Digital Cycler (BTDC) was developed, CEO and President Cyril Narishkin added: “BTDC leverages the most recent advancements in power electronics, digital control, and communications to provide a best-in-class solution for cell cycling.”
About the Schuler Group – www.schulergroup.com
Schuler offers customized cutting-edge technology in all areas of forming—from the networked press to press shop planning. In addition to presses, products include automation, dies, process know-how and service for the entire metalworking industry. Schuler’s Digital Suite brings together solutions for networking forming technology and is continuously being developed to further improve line productivity and availability. Customers include automotive manufacturers and suppliers, as well as companies in the forging, household appliance and electrical industries. Presses from the Schuler Group mint coins for more than 180 countries. Founded in 1839 at our headquarters in Göppingen, Germany, Schuler has approx. 5 000 employees at production sites in Europe, China and the Americas, as well as service companies in more than 40 countries. The company is part of the international technology group ANDRITZ.
