ABB Supplies Robots for Scania's New Battery Assembly Plant
ABB has signed an agreement with leading global transport solutions provider Scania to supply a full range of robotic solutions for a new highly automated battery assembly plant in Sweden.
The new facility will be an important milestone on Scania's path toward electrifying heavy-duty vehicles. Scania is investing more than SEK 1 billion ($108 million) in the facility over several years, and the new plant in Södertälje is expected to be fully operational by 2023.
“We are pleased to work with one of our longest-standing customers to help implement its electrification plan. The automotive industry has always been at the forefront of automation. But with the shift to electrification, it faces massive changes in established production processes. Drawing on our experience, we will design and help implement the production flexibility that is vital for market leaders such as Scania to make these changes.”
Tony Persson, Head of Battery Assembly at Scania, said: “The plant is designed in line with Scania's commitment to lead in industrial digitalization, automation and the use of advanced robotic technologies to optimize production processes with greater flexibility. This is where ABB's robots and solutions come in. For Scania, the plant is also an investment that will further strengthen Sweden's position as a center of advanced technology in the electrification of heavy-duty vehicles, which is critical for the transition to sustainable transport.”
The modern 18,000 m² facility will be built next to Scania's chassis assembly plant in Södertälje (Sweden) and will be highly automated at every stage, from goods receipt to production and delivery.
The plant will assemble battery modules from cells supplied by Northvolt's battery plant in Skellefteå, and finished packs will be delivered directly to the vehicle assembly shop. The assembly process will involve several ABB robots, including IRB 390, IRB 4600 and IRB 6700 models, as well as additional solutions to support production.
This will be the first time an ABB IRB 390 robot is used at a battery manufacturing plant. Originally developed for the packaging industry, the robot combines speed and power and can install contact plates in batteries at a rate of one plate per second, 24 hours a day.
ABB's RobotStudio simulation and programming software will allow a full check of the production line before deployment, which will significantly shorten order lead time and support the quality assurance process.
Scania and ABB have collaborated for more than 40 years, in particular on building production infrastructure for electric vehicles. Recently, the companies joined forces to develop charging solutions for trucks, which will also be powered by batteries produced by Northvolt.
The Northvolt plant is Europe's largest lithium-ion battery factory. It was also designed in cooperation with ABB.
ABB helps automotive companies and key component and technology suppliers worldwide with fast, efficient and flexible production solutions to support the rollout of next-generation electrified powertrains.
The company recently announced a major joint venture with leading Chinese auto parts supplier HASCO to help build next-generation smart manufacturing with highly efficient and environmentally safe automation solutions.
Later in 2022, it will also open the world's most advanced robotics plant in Shanghai, which will accelerate innovation in AI product development and automation solutions.
ABB is a leading global technology company helping to transform society and industry toward a more productive and sustainable future. By connecting software to its portfolio in electrification, robotics, automation and motion control, ABB is pushing the boundaries of technology and taking performance to a new level.
Scania is a global company operating on five continents with customers in more than 100 countries. Its operations and products have far-reaching effects on people, society and the planet. The company strives to manage these impacts responsibly across its entire value chain.
The transport industry is changing rapidly, and innovation must happen quickly to move toward cleaner, safer and smarter solutions. By combining core strengths such as its modular platform with new ways of working, Scania rapidly develops ideas and technologies that will shape the transport system of tomorrow.
One of the fundamental goals that will help Scania reach its science-based target is a commitment to power all production sites with 100% fossil-free electricity. In 2020, the company achieved this goal.
All 10 of the company's production sites worldwide are now powered by fossil-free electricity. Together, the 10 sites consume about 450,000 MWh per year. Switching to fossil-free electricity will save about 33,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.
