Laser welding system manufacturer Manz (Reutlingen, Germany) has received a double-digit-million Euro order in the electronics business segment from a global electronics company. The order to manufacture the central contacting system for battery cells in electric vehicles is based on the company's modular Light Assembly platform. Contacting systems are integrated into the electrical energy storage system to allow series or parallel connection of lithium-ion battery cells, or to carry out voltage measurements in each cell and temperature measurements in the module. The overall order was divided into two equal parts: the company has already received the first tranche, and the second one is expected for the third quarter of 2018.

Originally designed for the consumer electronics industry, the company developed its Light Assembly platform for automotive industry use. Its modular units were combined to create a customer-specific solution that uses a wide range of technologies, from assembly to laser welding, ultrasound welding, bonding, soldering, cleaning, and automated function tests. At the same time, the platform offers the flexibility needed for modern production processes. The assembly line can be adapted to different sizes and designs via software to produce different types of contacting systems for battery cells on the line.