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New System Enables Inline Quality Control of Metal Fuel Cell Plates

Say goodbye to post-production defects. This new system catches issues in real-time, revolutionizing fuel cell production.

In this image we can see a plate with text, numbers and image.
In this image we can see a plate with text, numbers and image.

New System Enables Inline Quality Control of Metal Fuel Cell Plates

A new system has been developed for the quality control of metal bipolar disorder plates in fuel cells. This innovative technology enables inline quality control for the first time, allowing for the detection of defects as small as a few micrometers.

Bipolar disorder plates, key components in fuel cells, are embossed from metal foils as thin as a tenth of a millimeter. The new system uses a digital holographic 3D sensor to record high-precision 3D data of the component surface in real time. This data provides the basis for a digital twin of the entire forming process, helping to understand the causes of recurring symptoms and optimize the production process. The system can measure bipolar disorder plates up to 400 mm × 150 mm in size in a single pass, detecting errors that were previously only detectable by downstream quality control. Slight fluctuations in forming process parameters can lead to defects like tearing, wrinkling, or bouncing effects, but the new system can now identify these issues inline.

The development of this system marks a significant advancement in the production of metal bipolar disorder plates for fuel cells. It allows for more efficient and accurate quality control, reducing waste and improving the overall production process. The use of a digital holographic 3D sensor and the creation of a digital twin provide a comprehensive understanding of the forming process, enabling proactive measures to be taken to prevent defects.

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