Fuel Cell Presses

Fuel Cell Equipment Catalog Available

CATI Fuel Cell Stack Assembly & Leak Test Equipment 2023

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Strap Welding Stack Assembly Machines

Universal Automatic Press with Laser Strap Welding

Automatic, Universal Strapping Press with Laser Welding

  • Servo press holds precise pressure up to 60kN as stack compresses
  • Straps are automatically cut, formed and welded
  • Supports tooling sets for a wide range of stack sizes
  • Optional custom tooling includes:
    • Upper & Lower interface tooling
    • Proprietary strap feeding, tensioning and forming system to suit strap material
  • Positively engages docking transfer cart (sold separately) for repeatability in loading & unloading of pressurized stack.

Large Stack Assembly Press with Resistance Welding Option

  • Servo press holds precise pressure as stack compresses
  • Capacity options from 60kN to 100kN
  • Press body designed to accommodate your alignment needs
  • Powered pivot from horizontal to vertical
  • Custom tooling options includes:
    • Strap insertion clamps
    • Innovative strap-tensioning and forming system
    • Integrated weld head
    • Leak-testing ports
    • Removable containment
    • Twist allowance for 3-point datum
    • Manual or Automatic Indexing
  • Control pedestal includes 2-handed cycle start switches for operator safety
  • Can be shipped in compact configuration

Stack Assembly Press with Resistance Welding

  • Servo press holds precise pressure up to 50kN as stack compresses
  • Optional custom tooling includes:
    • Strap insertion clamps
    • Proprietary strap-tensioning and forming system
    • Integrated weld head
    • Dry leak-testing
    • Removable alignment clamps
  • Hydraulic pivot from horizontal to vertical
  • Control pedestal includes 2-handed cycle start switches for operator safety
  • Can be shipped in compact configuration
Stack-Assembly-Servo-Press-with-Laser-Welder

Stack Assembly Servo Press with Laser Welding

  • Dual-servo press delivers up to 60kN of constant pressure
  • Flexible design accommodates a number of programmable stack heights for one stack design
  • Strap forming is fully automatic and simultaneous
  • Straps are easy to load with programmable stops
  • Stack assemblies are easily loaded and unloaded
  • Suited to laser weld units with high availability
  • Fully light sealed enclosure with internal lighting
  • Upper tooling retracts for operator clearance
  • Automatic door includes sensitive safety bumper

Stack Assembly Servo Pivot Press

  • Servo press, able to hold constant force up to 80kN as stack compresses
  • Tilts from vertical to horizontal for transportation, loading through doorways, etc.
  • Optional custom tooling includes:
    • Strap insertion clamps
    • Proprietary strap-tensioning and forming system
    • Integrated weld head
    • Dry leak-testing
    • Removable alignment clamps
  • Control pedestal includes 2-handed cycle start switches for operator safety

Fuel Cell Stack Assembly Presses

Center Span Pivot Press

  • Servo press, able to hold constant force up to 45kN as stack compresses
  • Innovative design allows operators to lower the stack throughout assembly, maintaining appropriate working height
  • Relatively light design including tilt control for easy stack assembly
  • Optional custom tooling, designed to suit
  • Control console includes 2-handed cycle start switches for operator safety

Cell Block Presses

60kN Cell Block Leak Tester

  • Ideal for leak testing single cells or stack of cells up to 200mm tall
  • Optional custom leak test tooling with specially-designed interfaces
  • Servo-press for precise pressure control and low maintenance
  • Laser sensor for top of cell/stack of cell detection.
  • High speed 80mm/sec operation, slows to slow speed just above the plates and then quickly compresses to kN setpoint with no-overshoot.
  • Accurate to ±0.050 kN
  • Repeatable to ±0.020 kN
  • Optional built in pressure interlock, press will not open with pressure detected in any circuit.
  • Adjustable back tilt from 0-20°.
Rendering of Short Stack Assembly Press

Cell Block Leak Test Press

  • Servo-press for precise pressure control and low maintenance
  • Custom leak test tooling with specially-designed interfaces
  • Custom gaskets and specialized locating pins
  • Safe workstation designed for efficient workflow

Essential Tools

Image of Automatic Leak Tester

Fuel Cell Automatic Leak Testers

  • Test and qualify external leak rates of Oxidant, Coolant and Fuel ports
  • Tests all combinations of internal leak rates
  • High-flow pre-fill for optimal cycle time
  • Basic and Automatic models available, all with innovative, time-saving features

Bonding Press

  • Insulated platens heat to 200°C
  • Options for custom tooling or tool mounts (including air & vacuum porting)
  • Design pressure options from 15kN up to 150kN
  • Touch screen control with 2-hand safety switch
  • Supports recipe creation for consistent results
  • Data acquisition options available

Hundreds More..

We have designed, developed and/or supplied the following types of PEM fuel cell related equipment and processes:

  • Flow-field and plate pressure drop testing equipment
  • Stack leak testing equipment
  • Plate permeability testing equipment
  • Stack compression and assembly fixturing
  • Special purpose carbon plate machining spindles and related fixturing and measuring equipment
  • Electrode fabrication equipment:
    • Catalyst application and handling
    • Bonding equipment
    • Compaction presses
  • Electrode testing equipment:
    • Precision (micron) thickness testers, under compressive loads
    • Breakdown voltage testers
    • Absorption testers
    • Continuity testers
    • Permeability testers
    • Optical inspection equipment (Quiss and DVT cameras)
    • Bar coding, scanning and tracking
    • Membrane defect detection
    • Infrared camera inspection stations
    • Catalyst loading measurement
  • Leak detection equipment.
  • Seal fabrication, tooling, molds, process equipment
  • Gluing and curing fixturing
  • Test station enclosures
  • Digital optical inspection and measuring stations
  • Pick and place machinery
  • Sheet feeders and stackers
  • Screen printing and related equipment
  • Precision laminating equipment
  • Electrode fabrication
  • Materials handling, special purpose carts and racking
  • Stack and engine manipulation equipment
  • Heater stands, and related run-in equipment
  • Precision electrode cutting and measuring equipment
  • Hydrogen, methanol and oxygen handling equipment and test stands

...and much more.  Testing equipment listed above can be supplied with data output to enterprise data collection, or to local PCs.

We also do machining of specific fuel cell stack parts, carbon plates, casting of special purpose seals, and ancillary stack or engine components.