Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Überführung einer Bahn aus einer Brennstoffzellenmembran in präzise positionierte Abschnitte dieser Membran

摘要

An apparatus for automated converting of a web of a thin patterned catalyst-coated membrane to separate membrane sheets for fuel cell assembly. The membrane typically has a thickness of about 2.5 thousandth of a centimeter. Automated web converting involves transporting, with use of a movable vacuum, an end portion of the membrane web from a first location to a second location. With use of respective first and second vacuums at the first and second locations, and after removal of the movable vacuum, the end portion of the membrane web is releasably secured at the first and second locations. The membrane web is cut within a gap defined between a single catalyst pattern of the membrane web end portion and an adjacent catalyst pattern to produce a membrane sheet. The membrane sheet is precisely positioned to a desired orientation to facilitate subsequent processing of the membrane sheet. The apparatus comprises a staying station, a positioning station, a cutter, a vision system, a robot and a controller.