Proton puts stack robot into operation
01.10.2019
Online magazine “Logistra”, 01.10.2019, Johannes Reichel
Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH from Puchheim near Munich has put its new hydrogen fuel cell production machine into operation. At a ceremony, Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian Deputy Minister President and State Minister for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, officially pressed the button to start the automated production line.
“As a technology of the future, hydrogen plays a key role in managing the energy and mobility transition,” the minister believes.
More steam in stack production: Bavaria’s Economics Minister Aiwanger and Proton Motor Chairman Helmut Gierse press the start button for the plant. | Photo: Proton
That is why the Center Hydrogen.Bavaria (H2.B) was founded in Nuremberg. In order to be able to offer fuel cells more competitively, mass production is needed. “Proton Motor shows that this is already possible today,” Aiwanger found.
In Proton Motor’s fuel cell system, the fuel cell stack is embedded in a module as the core or essential heart. The stack robot could increase the production capacity to 5,000 to 10,000 fuel cell units per year, depending on the stack size. The move marks an important milestone in the company’s more than 20-year history. According to the supplier, this is a reaction to the increased demand from the industry for hydrogen fuel cells, which is clearly reflected in the current cooperation agreements and strategic partnerships.
Series production: 30,000 to 50,000 units per year possible
In order to be able to meet the increasing demand in the coming years, the fuel cell specialist has drawn up plans for optional production expansion together with the manufacturer. With a slightly modified machine layout, production can be expanded to a maximum annual capacity of 30-50,000 stack units. The increased production capacity means that larger volume orders can now be received before the end of 2020, explained Proton Motor Chairman Helmut Gierse when welcoming the invited guests. The “Gen4” stack module of the modular and standardized hydrogen fuel cell is intended to cover the expected demand, which is important for global climate protection from the supplier’s point of view, according to the company management. Proton’s FC drive is suitable for industrial solutions such as mobile applications (buses, trucks, etc.), stationary (power generation, standby and continuous power) or maritime (yachts, ships) as well as for rail transport concepts, according to the supplier.
Link Article Logistra October 2019
https://logistra.de/news/nfz-fuhrpark-lagerlogistik-intralogistik-proton-nimmt-stack-roboter-betrieb-16558.html
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