Postulating a Modular and Light-Weight Approach for Fuel Cell Stacking via Cobot Vacuum End-Effector Gripping

In recent years, research in the field of fuel cells is gaining momentum. Leading automotive industries are investing in e-mobility. In fuel cell research, topics such as fuel cell durability, degradation phenomenon, catalyst performance enhancement, etc., are mainly researched upon. However, one fails to recognize the need for innovations in the area of assembly systems for the stacking process. In this paper, a modular approach referencing the gripping of bipolar plates and the membrane electrode assembly layers for the stacking process is postulated. A vacuum end-effector (VEE) gripper is innovated, designed, and manufactured using 3D printing methods. It is then tested in real-time at the maximum acceleration of the Cobot. The cycle time of assembly per unit cell achieved was 1.25s; for comparison, manual stacking per unit cell is averaged to approx. 8s. Therefore, huge potential savings in assembly time was denoted. Additionally, the benefit of using a vacuum end-effector gripper mitigates the particulate matter induced via manual handling. This prevents the early degradation of the fuel cell. The assembly technology and the demonstrator postulated in this paper integrates a complete loop of design, manufacturing, and assembly of the VEE gripping mechanism.