ZEP - Center for Electric Vehicle Production

 

Topic

Production of electric vehicles and powertrain systems, batteries; development of electric vehicle concepts.

Research Objectives

Research and analysis of feasibility of electric vehicle concepts, including in the areas of:

  • battery cell production
  • Battery module and pack assembly
  • Verification and certification of cells, modules, and packs in the Battery Abuse Center,
  • Production of electric motors (winding, magnetizing, balancing, joining)
  • Performance measurements for electrical drives
  • Power electronics
  • Joining processes
  • Vehicle body
  • Ramp-up management

Involved Departments and Researchers

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering - Faculty 4

Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM)
Director: Professor Dr. Achim Kampker, MBA
PEM

Welding and Joining Institute (ISF)
Director: Professor Dr. Uwe Reisgen
ISF

RWTH Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)
Chair of Production Engineering
Director: Professor Dr. Günther Schuh
WZL

Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology - Faculty 6

Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA-LEA)
Director: Professor Dr. Rik W. De Doncker
ISEA-LEA

Chair of Electromagnetic Energy Conversion and Institute of Electrical Machines (IEM)
Director: Professor Dr. Kay Hameyer
IEM

Chair of Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage (ISEA-ESS)
Director: Professor Dr. Dirk Uwe Sauer
ISEA-ESS

Infrastructure and Facilities

Cell production, module and pack assembly, battery abuse testing, assembly of electric motors, stator winding, measurement of electric machines, power electronics, converter checks, micro plasma welding, laser beam welding, SLS and SLM printing technology, 5-axis CNC machining, workshop, vehicle body assembly line, end-of-line test bench, underbody test bench, electric engine manufacturing, thermoforming machine, PUR reaction injection molding facility, portal milling machine, various 3D printers, welding facilities, laser cutter, bending machine, varnishing chamber, climate test cell for vehicles, gluing cell.

Projects

For current and past research and development projects:

  • Production of prototypes and pre-series models
  • Demonstration of innovative product ideas
  • Open infrastructure to research electric mobility
  • Trainings and recruiting
  • Vocational training and continuing education

Workshops

The project house offers workshop on topics such as batteries, electric motors, factory planning, ramp-up management, and lean production. An overview of current workshops and events is available at the WZLforum website.

Contact

Tel.: +49 241 80 274 27
Fax.: +49 241 80 222 93

Website

Ramp-Up Factory