What should be done if the forming pressure of the bipolar plate is insufficient?

In the manufacture of fuel cell bipolar plates, ‘insufficient forming pressure’ remains a primary challenge for many enterprises. Inadequate pressure directly results in low plate density and poor surface flatness, subsequently leading to reduced electrical conductivity and compromised gas tightness. Ultimately, this impacts the power output and service life of fuel cell stacks. While numerous manufacturers have attempted to adjust process parameters or alter forming materials, overcoming this pressure bottleneck remains difficult. In truth, the crux of the matter likely lies in the selection of forming equipment—a specialised bipolar plate forming hydraulic press represents the fundamental solution to insufficient plate forming pressure.

Why can't conventional equipment resolve the pressure challenges in bipolar plate forming?

Bipolar plate forming demands exceptionally stringent pressure conditions. Whether forming metal or graphite bipolar plates, uniform application of stable high pressure is essential to prevent localised overpressure or underpressure. However, traditional hydraulic presses suffer from three major shortcomings:

● Insufficient rated pressure: Most general-purpose hydraulic presses struggle to meet the high-pressure standards required for bipolar plate forming. Forcing increased pressure risks equipment overload and damage;

● Significant pressure transmission loss: Poor hydraulic system sealing or suboptimal cylinder design causes pressure attenuation during transmission, resulting in actual pressure applied to the mould falling far below the set value;

● Low pressure control precision: The absence of intelligent feedback systems prevents real-time adjustment of pressure fluctuations. Minor variations in raw material hardness or thickness frequently cause localised pressure deficiencies.

Bipolar Plate Forming Hydraulic Press: Precision Pressure Control Solves Pressure Challenges

Addressing the specific demands of bipolar plate forming, this specialised hydraulic press fundamentally resolves insufficient pressure issues through three core design elements:

1. High-rated pressure configuration to meet stringent forming requirements

The equipment employs customised high-pressure cylinders and a high-strength frame, with rated pressure flexibly adjustable to requirements. It effortlessly accommodates the forming pressure demands of metal, graphite, and composite bipolar plates. For instance, in the moulding process of graphite bipolar plates, the press delivers stable, optimised high pressure. This ensures tight bonding of graphite particles, significantly enhancing the density of the formed bipolar plate and improving its electrical conductivity.

2. Precision hydraulic system minimises pressure transmission losses

Equipped with imported seals and a dual-stage oil supply system, it achieves efficient pressure transfer while effectively preventing leakage-induced pressure loss. Simultaneously, multi-cylinder synchronous control technology ensures precise parallelism between upper and lower moulds, distributing pressure uniformly across the bipolar plate surface. This completely resolves issues of insufficient edge pressure and central overpressure, substantially improving moulding yield rates.

3. Intelligent pressure monitoring with real-time dynamic adjustment

High-precision pressure sensors and a PLC control system continuously collect pressure data during forming for high-accuracy regulation. Upon detecting pressure fluctuations, the system automatically adjusts oil flow and pressure to accommodate variations in raw material batches. Furthermore, multiple process parameter sets can be stored, enabling one-touch recall of specifications for different bipolar plate dimensions and eliminating cumbersome repeated adjustments.

Selecting the right hydraulic press also delivers the following additional benefits

Professional double-platen hydraulic presses not only resolve the core issue of insufficient pressure but also provide enterprises with numerous other advantages:

● Enhanced production efficiency: The application of rapid filling technology significantly accelerates the speed of the empty stroke, thereby substantially reducing the forming time per cycle to meet the demands of batch production;

● Reduced cost losses: Precise pressure control minimises raw material consumption, extends mould service life, and effectively lowers overall production costs;

● Compatibility with diverse materials: Supports multiple processes including metal bipolar plate stamping, graphite bipolar plate forming, and composite bipolar plate hot pressing. A single machine serves multiple product lines, thereby reducing equipment investment.

Solve pressure challenges by selecting the right equipment

Insufficient forming pressure for bipolar plates is not a process issue, but an equipment selection issue. Professional bipolar plate forming hydraulic presses, designed for high pressure, high precision, and high stability, not only resolve current forming pain points but also provide support for future production capacity expansion and product upgrades.

Shuntian Equipment, with deep expertise in bipolar plate forming, has successfully delivered multiple sets of high-performance hydraulic presses, accumulating extensive experience from material properties to mass production processes. We provide not only stable and reliable equipment but also proven forming solutions. We invite you to consult and collaborate with us, allowing our experience to safeguard your new energy projects.