MEA Assembly System

Achieve Low-Cost, Near Zero-Waste Production Of Your MEAs.

The MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) Assembly System automatically cuts, aligns, and assembles semi-permeable laminate substrates for fuel cells. To reduce raw materials cost, a CO2 laser with track-mounted optics provides clean and precisely-dimensioned components with near-zero waste.

Materials for laser cutting are fed via rolls at the rear of the tool, while preprocessed base components are dispensed from operator-loaded stacks on the work table. A single three-axis robot with custom vacuum gripper moves parts through the system. In operation, the robot picks and aligns laser-cut laminate pieces onto a base component. The assembled laminate stack is then loaded on a turntable and rotated through the press as part of a proprietary assembly process.

Upon exiting the press assembly, the completed stack moves through the automated trim and punch stations before being placed in the output queue. Operator attention is required only to maintain the raw materials supply, periodically remove process waste, and unload completed product from the tool.

Technical Specifications

Component	Specifications
Control System & User Interface:	Industrial PC running Windows XP. Software coded in C#, using Microsoft Visual Studio .NET. Custom user interface developed by DWFritz.
Material Handling:	Custom roll feeders are motorized to feed material on demand. Vacuum shuttles grip and advance material for placement on the cutting table.
Environment:	Full HEPA filtration provided within enclosure.
Throughput:	(Process Dependent).
Safety:	All moving machinery contained within fully interlocked enclosure. No operator access while control power is active.
Waste:	Near Zero.
Details:

MEA Assembly System Details

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Contact DWFritz Automation through this website or telephone us at (503) 598-9393 to get a free evaluation of your project. We’ll review your automation needs and provide an analysis of your requirements. Get in touch.