Sustainability Easier-to-Recycle Battery Packs with Detachable Connections

Related Vendors

Würth Industrie Service GmbH & Co. KG

Weber Schraubautomaten GmbH

FAULHABER Drive Systems

Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

To make e-mobility truly sustainable, recycling must be a core component. Weber Schraubautomaten offers a range of products specifically designed to facilitate this goal.

The rapid growth of e-mobility presents significant design challenges across the industry. For instance, manufacturers frequently use thin, pre-coated sheet metals and frame structures in battery assemblies, limiting access for assembly processes, such as fastening, to a single side.

With its SBM25 setting system, Weber Schraubautomaten GmbH offers an efficient solution for integrating load-bearing threads into thin sheet metal where only one-sided access is available. This system is compatible with a wide range of blind rivet nuts and studs from suppliers like Würth, allowing for flexible processing options. It includes a laser-assisted alignment unit that ensures precise and reliable insertion of fasteners, increasing assembly accuracy.

The system includes a laser-assisted alignment unit that ensures reliable insertion of the fastener into the sheet metal. The advantage of blind rivet nuts lies in the high strength of the screw connection and the fact that the connection can be removed again when the battery packs are dismantled or recycled. This allows resources to be saved and legal requirements for environmental protection to be met. The fasteners themselves or the workpieces can generally be used several times.

Use the setting system for maintenance work

The technology is particularly attractive for large customers who use different systems and applications—in terms of long maintenance intervals and easy servicing. The SBM25 system can also be used for maintenance activities during non-robot times.

For example, new elements can be fed in during these phases or a tool change can be carried out; this option reduces cycle times and overall processing times, and the components are also joined and further processed in a way that is gentle on the surface and material.

In addition to the setting systems, Weber also offers a screwdriving spindle called "SEV-P" for e-mobility applications. This allows the screw connection to be loosened automatically and the component to be dismantled. With the help of the corresponding tool, the spindle ensures double insulation on the tool and workpiece—preventing harmful or life-threatening contact with live parts.

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In addition to setting systems for e-mobility applications, Weber also offers screw spindles. For this purpose, the company has developed a high-voltage spindle concept that takes creepage distances of the applied voltage into account. The ceramic and plastic tools insulate the spindle and the live workpiece. The pick & place spindle is also suitable for dismantling battery packs.

Review: Automotive Symposium of Würth Industrie Service

This year's Würth Industrie Service Automotive Symposium took place in Bad Mergentheim, Germany, in mid-September. Around 50 experts paid particular attention to sustainability. Among them were:

• Ulf Zillig, Head of Group Research, Sustainability & RD Functions at Mercedes-Benz

• Christian Wiegand, Deputy General Manager of Nio

• Markus Milz, Managing Partner at Milz & Comp.

• Felix Stracke, Senior Manager New Mobility at Rheinmetall

• Andreas Lukesch, Project Manager Sustainable Supply Chain at Brose

• and Beatrix Keim, Director Business Development at Center Automotive Research GmbH

Philipp Haaf, Senior Director at Capgemini Invent, concluded the event.

* Jochen Woletz is Head of Sales in the Automotive Division at Würth Industrie Service, Benedikt Burger is Head of Marketing at Weber Schraubautomaten.