Abstract
Recently demonstrated robotic assembling technologies for fuel cell stacks used fuel cell components manually pre-arranged in stacks (presenters). Identifying the original orientation of fuel cell components and loading them in presenters for a subsequent automated assembly process is a difficult, repetitive work cycle which if done manually, deceives the advantages offered by either the automated fabrication technologies for fuel cell components or by the robotic assembly processes. We present for the first time a robotic technology which enables the integration of automated fabrication processes for fuel cell components with a robotic assembly process of fuel cell stacks into a fully automated fuel cell manufacturing line. This task uses a Yaskawa Motoman SDA5F dual arm robot with integrated machine vision system. The process is used to identify and grasp randomly placed, slightly asymmetric fuel cell components, to reorient them all in the same position and stack them in presenters in preparation for a subsequent robotic assembly process. The process was demonstrated as part of a larger endeavor of bringing to readiness advanced manufacturing technologies for alternative energy systems, and responds the high priority needs identified by the U.S. Department of Energy for fuel cells manufacturing research and development.
Highlights
Fuel cells have the potential to replace the internal combustion engine in automotive applications and to provide power in stationary and portable power systems because they are energy-efficient, clean, and fuel-flexible [1]
Compared to other types of fuel cells, the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, known as proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has the advantages of delivering higher gravimetric and volumetric power density and of operating at lower temperatures, which results in a quick start up time and less wear on systems components
We demonstrated a robotic technology for sorting, reorientation, and stacking fuel cell components in presenters in preparation for their subsequent robotic assembly in fuel cell stacks
Summary
Fuel cells have the potential to replace the internal combustion engine in automotive applications and to provide power in stationary and portable power systems because they are energy-efficient, clean, and fuel-flexible [1]. Compared to other types of fuel cells, the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, known as proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has the advantages of delivering higher gravimetric and volumetric power density and of operating at lower temperatures, which results in a quick start up time and less wear on systems components. For these reasons, PEMFCs currently find extensive applications in transportation and stationary uses. An MEA consists of five components: a proton conductive membrane bounded by Energies 2019, 12, 3604; doi:10.3390/en12193604 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies
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