The heart of an e-vehicle is the battery. However, if an accident occurs, the battery can pose a significant danger. Addressing this requires a safety concept that includes the battery carrier on the underside of the vehicle where the cells are installed. It is usually integrated directly into the load-bearing structure, increasing overall vehicle stability.
“These workpieces are large, moulded parts that are made of light metal or from aluminium blocks and are milled on a machining centre,” explains Cristina Fernández, Strategic Purchaser at Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH – SW for short – in Schramberg-Waldmössingen, Baden-Württemberg.
With around 1,700 employees, SW develops smart manufacturing solutions, such as CNC machining centres with modular automation, self-sufficient manufacturing cells and complete manufacturing systems with linked software solutions. In addition to electromobility, the machines are used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and agricultural and construction machinery.
The four-axis, or optionally five-axis, machining centre from the BA space3 series is ideal for manufacturing large-volume workpieces. It is one of the large machine series in the SW portfolio. “With this system, users can also process components cast in one piece,” explains Cristina Fernández. “Thus we can offer solutions for the underbody, the subframe and, above all, the battery housings.”