Festo doubles sales in automation of battery manufacturing

Electromobility is gaining momentum worldwide. Festo has doubled its sales. (Photo: Festo AG & Co. KG)

The demand for electric vehicles is rising rapidly, vehicle manufacturers are booming, and so are battery producers, because batteries are, alongside the electric motor, the heart of electric cars. About 30 to 40 percent of the value creation in pure electric vehicles is attributable to the battery. New factories are being built worldwide, and automation is in demand both among vehicle manufacturers and battery producers. The production of lithium-ion batteries presents special challenges for automation technology, from electrode manufacturing to cell production and to the assembly of the battery module.

Johannes Strasser, Global Key Account Management and Industry Segment Management Electronics at Festo: "This year, automakers are announcing large investments, and the number of manufacturers' declarations of intent regarding battery manufacturing has increased tenfold. In addition to the major automotive brands, new electric vehicle manufacturers are being founded, and every day new companies are entering battery cell production. The current production focus is Asia, especially China. The Chinese government is actively supporting the future battery industry, also with subsidies."

In the past two years, Festo's sales in the growing electromobility market have doubled annually. The automation provider advises and supplies major global customers such as the Korean conglomerate and battery manufacturer LG Chem. The key to success is the broad product range, including copper-free products. A worldwide team with expertise and solution competence advises customers on project planning and conception.

Kim Sung Chul, Manager at LG Production Engineering Research Institute / Battery Assembly Equipment Technology Task, Korea: "LG Chem, Korea's leading manufacturer of advanced batteries, is currently building a factory for the production of batteries for electric vehicles in Wrocław, Poland. It is the first plant in Europe to produce lithium-ion batteries on a large scale for the automotive sector. Festo is a supplier for the new plant. LG highly appreciates the competent consulting, the product range and quality, the engineering concepts, and the global network of automation specialists that Festo offers."

Johannes Strasser, Global Key Account Management and Industry Segment Management Electronics at Festo: "With expert teams in the main markets of Korea, China, and the USA, as well as in Europe, we are a global partner and maintain direct contact with our customers on site. For example, we have been working with LG Chem for over two years. We are pleased that we have succeeded against strong international competition and that we could contribute our solution competence and know-how in automating battery module manufacturing. For LG Chem's new plant in Poland, we supplied all electrical axes and valves. All products were made copper-free."

Requirement "copper-free"

Festo offers everything from a single source, including standard handling, special solutions, and copper-free products that do not damage or contaminate the sensitive lithium-ion cells during handling. Thanks to the use of modern materials, around 95 percent of Festo's standard product portfolio is already copper-free, for example, when guides are made from polymer. Additionally, since 2017, Festo has been offering special copper-free products that adhere to common market criteria: the guide bearings, bearings, and all parts that generate friction are copper-free. Festo's standard products often meet ISO6 cleanroom conditions or higher. The products are tested in the company's own cleanroom "Competence Center for Cleanroom Technology" in Singapore, in collaboration with a local university.