German battery-production equipment maker CMWTEC Technologie has completed the factory acceptance test (FAT) of a fully automatic plug insertion machine for Clarios.
A team from Clarios’ US operations travelled to CMWTEC’s facility in Runkel, Germany, for the test. The supplier said the machine passed acceptance, but did not disclose where it will be installed, its production capacity or the value of the order.
The equipment is intended for the finishing stage of automotive lead battery production. Batteries filled with sulphuric acid are sealed using individual plugs, with the insertion process controlled automatically.
The company’s automatic plug insertion technology uses servo-controlled equipment to position the plugs and control the tightening torque. A separate inspection station checks plug height and detects incorrectly fitted or missing plugs before batteries move to the washing stage.
The supplier said the visit also included discussions about future machinery projects and a demonstration of its fully automatic combination machine.
That system combines terminal post brushing, high-rate discharge testing and high-voltage leakage testing in one machine. It is powered by CMWTEC’s E-Load system, which uses electronic loads to carry out electrical testing during battery production.
CMWTEC development engineer Mohamed Al-Ogaili also presented the company’s DataManager and E-Load Manager software. DataManager is designed to collect production and test data for process control, quality assurance and battery traceability.
The company supplies standalone machines, complete automated finishing lines, handling systems and end-of-line test equipment for lead and lithium batteries.
Clarios manufactures more than 150 million low-voltage batteries annually. Its products are used in conventional, hybrid and electric vehicles, with the company claiming that one in three vehicles worldwide is powered by a Clarios battery.
Photo: Representatives from Clarios and CMWTEC at the factory acceptance test of the automatic plug insertion machine in Runkel, Germany
Image caption: Representatives from Clarios and CMWTEC at the factory acceptance test of the automatic plug insertion machine in Runkel, Germany. Credit: CMWTEC Technologie
