Festo Enhances EV Battery Manufacturing with Innovative Automation Solutions!

Festo has unveiled a new solution aimed at optimizing the dry-room electrode assembly process in electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing. This latest innovation is part of Festo’s comprehensive electric mobility initiative, which focuses on automating the entire battery lifecycle. Following previous advancements, such as an automated degassing cell in 2022 and a chemical processing solution for battery recycling in 2023, Festo continues to lead the charge in battery production technologies.

At the forefront of this development is the Festo VTEP, touted as the world’s first high-precision proportional valve terminal designed specifically for maintaining roll tension during the critical phases of electrode production. The VTEP facilitates the unrolling, cutting, aligning, and layering of anodes and cathodes while offering significant cost savings compared to traditional electric automation methods. This Controlled Pneumatics solution integrates energy-efficient piezo-electric valve cartridges with advanced sensors and control algorithms, ensuring precise pressure control and dynamic responsiveness.

Festo’s Automation Platform (AP) further enhances the capabilities of the VTEP, featuring a 200-megabyte bandwidth and a cycle time of under 100 milliseconds. The AP’s I/O architecture supports multiple communication protocols, making it adaptable for OEMs working with various control systems. Notably, Festo’s components for dry-room applications are designed to be copper and zinc-free, aligning with industry best practices and offering a sustainable approach to manufacturing.

In addition to these technological advancements, Festo is addressing the skills gap in the EV and semiconductor industries through its educational arm, Festo Didactic. The company now offers online Electromobility Training, customized on-site training, and support for establishing apprenticeship programs. As Festo continues to innovate in the EV battery manufacturing space, it also remains committed to fostering a skilled workforce to meet the demands of this rapidly evolving industry.