OEM&Lieferant Ausgabe 2/2020

102 eMobility ElringKlinger sets up production for battery modules German automotive supplier ElringKlinger, one of the world‘s leading system partners to the automotive industry, is setting up a fully automated production facility for battery modules. Starting from autumn 2020, the first battery modules are scheduled to roll off the production line at the Thale site in Saxony-Anhalt. The production system, which includes tailor-made specifications, was designed and delivered by the automation specialist KUKA. In the production of battery modules, a large number of different components are assem- bled to form a single unit. The modules will be used primarily in electric vehicles. However, ElringKlinger‘s battery modules are designed to be flexible and can therefore also be used for other applications, including those outside the automotive sector. Pioneer in the field of e-mobility As a development partner and series supplier to the automotive industry, ElringKlinger was quick to set the course for electric mo- bility. The automotive supplier has been in- volved in battery and fuel cell technology for around 20 years. Within the area of e-mobility, ElringKlinger offers both individual compo- nents for batteries and fuel cells as well as complete systems. As one of the first players within the German market, the company is now investing in a large-volume, highly au- tomated production line for battery modules. „We are deliberately breaking new ground with the battery module we have developed in-house. The closely linked development and industrialization of the product inevitably let us face the technical challenges”, says Mark Laderer, Director of Production Battery Tech- nology & E-Mobility at ElringKlinger. Commissioning of the fully automated pro- duction line is planned for autumn 2020. Up to 300,000 battery modules per year can then be produced with the new line, including all testing processes. Initially, the Thale plant will Images: © KUKA S H A R E