Industrial robotics and automation company Kuka Industries has received an order from what it says is “a leading European manufacturer in the automotive industry” to supply a battery production system.
Kuka Industries, which is part of Kuka, would not say which company it was which placed the order, but it has supplied the same company before with a similar system, and now the customer seems to be selling or expecting to sell more electric cars, or maybe battery systems for electric vehicles.
Kuka says the order value lies in the “mid-double-digit million euro range” and was booked in the second quarter of 2017. Start of production is planned for mid-2019.
Kuka has previously planned and set up a similar production system for the manufacture of battery modules and high-voltage batteries for use in electric vehicles.
This involves individual battery cells being processed into modules and custom-tailored battery systems.
The system to be delivered is based on Kuka standard robotic work cells, has a high level of automation and a modular design, which allows for the integration of additional process modules.
Alwin Berninger, CEO of the Kuka Industries business unit, says: “The demands to be met in this sector are very high. In addition to reproducible quality of the highest level, vehicle manufacturers require a scalable automation solution that allows them to adapt to the growing demand, particularly in the production of battery modules.”
Dr Till Reuter, CEO of Kuka, says: “E-mobility is an opportunity for Kuka. By collaborating with our customers, we are in a position to press ahead with the electrification of the automotive industry. This order underscores the strength of our range of products and services.”
