Descripción del proyecto
Solución escalable para la producción de sistemas de pilas de combustible
El uso de sistemas de pilas de combustible para generar electricidad va en aumento. Sin embargo, los procesos de fabricación actuales dependen en gran medida del trabajo manual, lo que dificulta su escalabilidad. El equipo del proyecto INLINE, financiado con fondos europeos, pretende ofrecer una solución para lograr un proceso de fabricación escalable y más eficiente. En el proyecto se centrarán en rediseñar y optimizar dos componentes cruciales: la unidad de suministro de medios y el regulador de la válvula del depósito. En la actualidad, su fabricación supone un reto y se consideran obstáculos en el proceso de producción. En INLINE se desarrollará una línea de producción integrada utilizando herramientas de simulación, lo que permitirá evaluar diversas disposiciones, estrategias de flujo de piezas y escenarios de producción. Además, en el proyecto se desarrollarán sistemas de asistencia a las estaciones de montaje con el objetivo de mejorar la escalabilidad minimizando la necesidad de formación de los trabajadores.
Objetivo
The INLINE project aims at the solution of key challenges to enable the implementation of a scalable manufacturing process for fuel cell systems. Current manufacturing processes rely on manual work that has substantial limits in terms of cycle times, costs and scalability. Developments will start with the re-design and optimization of two key components: the media supply unit and the tank valve regulator. Both are components that are currently difficult to manufacture and are perceived as bottlenecks in the production process. Based on these new designs, an integrated production line will be planned using simulation tools. These tools will enable the evaluation of different layouts, part flow strategies and for different production scenarios. In terms of manufacturing tools, the end of line test will be improved to reduce cycle times by a factor of 3 and assistance systems for assembly stations will be developed that will enable scalability by reducing the need for training of workers. The overall target is to reduce the cycle time for production of a whole fuel cell system from 15 hours to less than 2.5 hours. Data gathering and analysis methods will be developed to enable the tracking of parts through the production line and - through a correlation of process and quality data - the continuous improvement of the production process.
Demonstration of the end of line test and the assistance system will be done in hardware. The whole production line will be evaluated using a simulation tool that has been verified on the current production process. A set of engineering samples of the re-designed tank valve regulator and the media supply unit will be produced and used for tests of the integrated fuel cells and for assessment of the whole production process.A potential of 250 new jobs in manufacturing of fuel cells and for production of the key components will be generated by the project.
Ámbito científico
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesrecycling
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsoptical sensors
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringmanufacturing engineeringsubtractive manufacturing
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfuel cells
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware applicationssimulation software
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinador
4407 STEYR GLEINK
Austria