POWERTRAIN
Innovative EOAT systems are required for the manufacture of EV powertrain components
ELECTROMOBILITY T
GETTING TO GRIPS WITH
How end-of-arm tooling is driving the transition to electromobility within automotive powertrain manufacturing
he transition away from vehicles powered by internal combustion engines (ICE) towards a new generation of
electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids is continuing to gather pace within the automotive sector. As a result, OEMs are not only investing in new pollution- free models but in the manufacturing systems and technologies required to meet growing demand from customers. The production of EVs therefore
requires a complete re-think of the technologies used to manufacture
powertrain components. With batteries, electric motors, controllers, cables, and connectors replacing conventional ICE mechanical parts, new manufacturing methods and systems are being developed to achieve the production efficiencies, economies of scale, and quality levels demanded by the automotive sector. Zimmer Group has been supplying
end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) for automotive powertrain manufacturing and assembly for more than three decades. The company has been at the forefront of the technological transition to electromobility in recent years and has worked to proactively develop several modular solutions for EV manufacturing. “Zimmer Group started developing
An overview of the battery assembly process
14
www.engineerlive.com
EOAT solutions for electromobility applications as far back as 2014, and has since invested a significant number of engineering hours and R&D budget in developing and perfecting systems for this growing market segment,” says Richard Mason, Managing Director of Zimmer Group UK. “As a result, today
Zimmer Group’s technologies are now used by all of the leading automotive manufacturers in the EV sector.”
PRODUCING ECONOMICALLY According to Mason, producing battery cells and modules economically is an important factor in ensuring that the EV market can continue to grow at the pace required. As for ICEs, high levels of automation will be essential. To meet this challenge, Zimmer
Group is leveraging its knowledge of powertrain assembly systems and working with partners in the automotive sector to develop EOAT technologies for battery manufacturing, module assembly, and electric motor production. “In a dynamic market where the
technology is continually evolving to meet the increasing demands of the consumer, Zimmer’s Gripper and EOAT systems for electromobility applications are designed with flexibility in mind,” Mason explains. “Our system solutions for the electromobility sector,
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
