Safe and precise handling of battery round cells

The magnetic gripper SGM-SV-BY enables process-safe handling of round cells even in rapid pick-and-place processes. (Image: J. Schmalz GmbH)

With the new magnetic gripper SGM-SV-BY, Schmalz presents a solution for the precise handling of unloaded and loaded battery round cells with a diameter of 46 millimeters. The gripper guarantees high process safety even in the event of a power failure.

In the manufacturing of battery cells, precision, safety, and efficiency are crucial. Accurate positioning and handling of the cells, prevention of short circuits, and process-safe automation are essential for high performance and reliability of the batteries.

Schmalz has developed the new magnetic gripper SGM-SV-BY specifically for handling battery round cells. It ensures reliable handling even in fast pick-and-place processes due to its high holding forces. The bistable permanent magnet retains the magnetic state—gripping or releasing—even in the event of a power outage. This minimizes the risk of cell loss and significantly increases operational safety.

The magnetic gripper is designed for handling round cells with a diameter of 46 millimeters and varying heights. It can pick up workpieces from both the top and bottom. This makes it flexible for use in cell production and module assembly.

Precise positioning

The gripping elements of the SGM-SV-BY are made from a special insulating plastic. This allows for contact-safe contact and significantly reduces the risk of short circuits when handling charged cells. Guide ridges ensure precise positioning of the cells. This high precision in gripping is particularly important to correctly process the components in subsequent production steps. The gripping elements are easy to replace and are available with different numbers of guide ridges.

To further enhance process safety, the magnetic gripper is equipped with sensors that monitor the presence of parts and the switching state. This allows the user to keep the handling process under control at all times and to minimize errors and interruptions.