KontiBIP develops a tooling and automation concept for continuous, high-volume production of precision metal bipolar plates — from the steel coil all the way to quality assurance.
At its core is a multi-stage cutting and forming tool with hollow embossing, together with a fast automation system for part transport. This allows the manufacturing process to run without interruption from strip material to the finished plate.
An integrated, intelligent inline measurement and inspection system captures key quality characteristics in real time, evaluates them algorithmically and detects defect patterns at an early stage. Quality is thus continuously monitored and documented.
The goals are lower production costs and a significantly higher output of up to 60 bipolar plates per minute. The project is carried out together with partners from tool-making, automation and metrology, and is funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport under the National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP).
Objectives
- Significantly reduce the production costs of metal bipolar plates
- Increase output to up to 60 bipolar plates per minute
- Assure key quality characteristics in real time via an intelligent inline system
