Robotic fuel cell assembly system

A method for assembling a fuel cell stack using a robotic arm comprising:

• providing a plurality of component bases having at least two alignment pins extending therefrom, each said component base carrying one or more fuel cell components, such that each fuel cell component is aligned by said at least two alignment pins;
• providing a fuel cell base plate having at least two alignment pins extending therefrom;
• providing an end-effector having a connection assembly attached to the robotic arm, said end-effector including an alignment arm having at least two alignment apertures disposed therethrough, and at least one vacuum cup to grasp and release the one or more fuel cell components, wherein said alignment arm and said at least one vacuum cup are moveably attached to said connection assembly;
• moving said end-effector, such that said alignment apertures of said alignment arm receive said alignment pins of one of said plurality of component bases;
• controlling the end-effector to grasp the fuel cell component from said component base;
• moving said end-effector with said grasped fuel cell component, such that said alignment apertures of said alignment arm receive said alignment pins of said fuel cell base plate;
• and
• controlling said end-effector to release the component onto said full cell base plate so that the fuel cell component is in alignment with said alignment pins of said fuel cell base plate.

A robotic workcell for assembling a fuel cell comprising:

• an end-effector comprising:
• a connection assembly adapted to be attached to a moveable wrist assembly of a robotic arm of the workcell;
• a movement assembly attached to said connection assembly;
• and
• an operation assembly attached to said moving assembly, wherein said movement assembly is configured to enable said operation assembly to move relative to said connection assembly, said operation assembly including an alignment arm having at least two alignment apertures disposed therethrough and at least one vacuum cup;
• a plurality of component bases having at least two alignment pins extending therefrom, each said component base carrying at least one fuel cell component in alignment with said at least two alignment pins;
• and
• a fuel cell base plate having at least two alignment pins extending therefrom;
• wherein during a first step operation, said alignment apertures of said alignment arm are received by said at least two alignment pins of one of said plurality of component bases, whereupon said vacuum cups grasp the fuel cell component, and during a second step, said alignment apertures of said alignment arm are received by said at least two alignment pins of said fuel cell base plate, whereupon said vacuum cups release the fuel cell component onto the fuel cell end plate in alignment with said alignment pins of said fuel cell end plate.