Box clever
The Walsall Wheelbarrow Company has installed a second custom-designed automated production cell from Unison to help meet huge demand for its 'barrow in a box' product. Solutions reports.
Nissan uses LEAF batteries to power automated factory vehicles
Nissan’s automated guided vehicles (AGVs), mobile machines that help workers in factories, are evolving thanks to the second life of Nissan LEAF batteries
The AGVs are powered by repurposed LEAF batteries and use motion sensors to avoid collisions when delivering car parts to Nissan workers, saving time and energy.
Nissan was exploring new ways to reuse its Nissan LEAF batteries, the mass-market electric vehicle that has spearheaded the company's journey towards zero emissions since 2010. And the world of LEAF and AGVs merged.
The first-generation LEAF was fitted with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery pack. These lithium-ion packs were made by combining 48 modules. About eight years ago, Nissan's engineers found a way to take three of these modules, repackage them and fit them inside an AGV. Last year, they took this idea to a new level by using repurposed battery modules, instead of new ones, to power AGVs.
Nissan, together with 4R Energy, has been a pioneer in giving batteries from electric vehicles a new life in powering its AGVs – because they were not powerful enough anymore to run a car, but perfect for a machine scooting around the factory. This makes electrification of mobility an even more sustainable proposition.
[embed]
AGVs with the lithium-ion batteries, new or repurposed, charge faster. Plus, workers no longer need to take out the batteries to plug them in. The AGVs simply stop momentarily at the charging station along their route and incrementally top up at each passing. This automation saves a great deal of time.
The repurposed LEAF batteries also last longer.While lead-acid batteries were typically replaced every year or two, the repurposed LEAF batteries are expected to last seven to eight years. Fewer batteries means less impact on the environment and another step towards being carbon neutral.
Nissan www.nissan.co.uk
Company
Tags
Related Articles
Automated benefits
In-Situ Oilfield Services, a leading provider of specialist CNC machine tools for the oil and gas industry based in Scotland, identified a different approach to the threading of Oil Country Tubular Goods
8 years ago
Features
New levels of efficiency for aerospace manufacturer
The introduction of a second Flexible Manufacturing System for HPC Precision Engineering has resulted in 95% utilisation of new machine tool investment.
8 years ago
Features
Most recent Articles
Top tools for titanium
At the recent EMO exhibition in Hannover, Mikron Tool presented the new CrazyDrill Cool Titanium ATC/PTC series, which, according to the Swiss tooling specialist, ensures maximum process reliability when drilling pure titanium and titanium alloys.
12 hours ago
Features
Near net shape parts from Wallwork’s new HIP Centre
Representing half of a planned £20m investment program over the next five years, Wallwork Group’s brand spanking new Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) Centre, recently opened at its Bury, Manchester headquarters, is truly state-of-the art.
13 hours ago
Features
Sign up for XYZ TMC seminars
Now is the time to learn more about XYZ Machine Tools’ ProtoTRAK TMC machines. Seminars will be held at the Devon Showroom on 5th December and at the Nuneaton Showroom on 7th December.
13 hours ago
News
