Increase efficiency, drive innovation: we combine mechanical engineering expertise with interdisciplinary research. We optimise production processes, develop intelligent sensors and design, among other things, the battery production of the future. From simulations to prototype development, we offer practical solutions for a variety of industries.
Our research group consists of approximately ten researchers with an interdisciplinary backgrounds, primarily from the field of mechanical engineering.
Our work focusses on applied research for a wide range of industries.
We specialise in the following areas:
Through the use of simulations, we can enhance the efficiency of existing production processes by implementing minor optimisations and contribute iteratively to the planning of new factories to ensure optimal setup.
Combining our expertise and machine learning, we develop “intelligent sensors”. In the context of research projects, we have already developed various sensors with the following objectives:
Battery production and analysis have been our strategic priority since 2016. We have set up a pilot line for the automated production of pouch cells. In this system, anodes and cathodes are precision-cut from rolls into the desired format using a laser and then stacked with separator layers. Our glovebox allows us to assemble the prefabricated battery stacks into functional batteries and fill them with electrolyte. We can also produce complete batteries out of roll material in a protective atmosphere. We can then extensively test and characterise these batteries and have projects for processing and preparing such test data sets. We are regularly involved in EU projects in this field.
We develop and build prototypes for the realisation of tasks in external and internal projects.
One example of this is the joint development of a wood peeling machine with the BFH wood department in the following project:
To promote sustainable development, we develop processes that make optimum use of resources. We are also involved in the development and optimisation of recycling processes.
Do you need support with the analysis or optimisation of your machines or processes? Various types of partnership are available depending on the scope of your project:
We also loan out our measuring and testing equipment.
We have a wide range of measuring equipment for oscillation measurements to conduct analysis of movement, vibration and noise.
The laser vibrometer enables contactless measurements that are easy to carry out to be taken for the quantification of mechanical vibrations. Depending on the application, either the speed or path is measured from the nanometre to the metre range. The oscillation frequency and amplitude can be derived from this with a high degree of accuracy.
Our shaker is capable of inducing vibrations in structures with a weight of up to 300 kg in the 3–3500 Hz frequency range. This means it can cover everything from standardised vibration profiles to noise and shocks, as well as generating accelerations of up to 100g. This makes the fatigue testing machine an extremely flexible system for verifying a simulation or analysing the vibration behaviour of materials.
Powerful servers for the calculation of neural networks and for the simulation of models using various techniques, such as discrete event simulation (DES), finite element method (FEM), or computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
The plant is available for research and industry trials, for instance for the construction of test cells, or to test a new manufacturing process. The system offers maximum flexibility in terms of choice of materials, use and replacement of individual components and desired battery cell size, from credit card format to 150×300 mm.
The system consists of several modules and devices, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the entire value chain of battery cell production:
Our team consists of ten researchers with varying backgrounds in mechanical, control and electrical engineering.
The research group is part of the activities of SCCER HaE, which receives financial support from Innosuisse – the Swiss Innovation Agency.
The research group is part of the Energy Storage Research Centre, which researches power storage solutions for mobility and the energy supply with the aim of integrating renewable energies and replacing fossil fuels.
We work with the Institute for Optimisation and Data Analysis (IODA) on the statistical evaluation of production data. We cooperate with the Institute for Applied Laser, Photonics and Surface Technologies (ALPS) on tasks that require specific laser technology expertise and with the Institute for Cybersecurity and Engineering (ICE) on IT security matters.
Keyence
We wish to thank the company Keyence International for their kind support.
Contact us or meet our experts in person at various events. Collaboration produces win-win outcomes for everyone concerned – your company, society and the university.
