Assembly line and process for the manufacture of modules or module precursors

Abstract

An assembly line is used to manufacture fuel cells or battery cells containing layered materials. A conveyor system transports a workpiece carrier between two process stations. Along its conveyor path, each workpiece carrier receives a first layer of material or a second layer of material at the respective first process station and delivers it again at the respective second process station. Each workpiece carrier has a pneumatic vacuum pump that can apply a vacuum to open channels on the top of the workpiece carrier. Each workpiece carrier has an energy receiver to supply power to the vacuum pump. Each workpiece carrier has a communication terminal that receives control signals to actuate the pneumatic vacuum pump.

Description

background

[0001] Disclosed here is an assembly line and a method for producing modules or precursors of modules, in particular layered material and / or fuel or battery cells. Details are defined in the claims; however, the description also contains relevant information on the structure and mode of operation, as well as on variants of the method and the device components. State of the art

[0002] To date, in fuel or battery cell production, the machines in which the respective process steps are carried out have been operated as individual machines (so-called stand-alone devices). This applies, for example, to the stacking of electrodes in a stacking machine (so-called "stacker"), the pressing of the loose electrode stack under high pressure and high temperatures in a block lamination machine, as well as other process machines such as those used to weld the electrical connection lugs. Operating several separate machines leads to deviations in manufacturing precision and delays when transferring the respective intermediate product from one machine to the next. Overall, this results in significant fluctuations in product quality.

[0003] From JP 2020138854 A, a laminating device is known, comprising: a feeder that feeds a film body, a pallet that is transported along a transport path and on which the film body fed by the feeder is laminated, and a guide rail provided along the transport path. The pallet includes a pair of clamps that hold the laminated body by performing opening and closing operations, and a cam follower provided on the pair of clamps and engaging with the guide rail. The pair of clamps is actuated to open or close by a cam mechanism formed by the guide rail and the cam follower when the pallet is transported along the transport path.

[0004] Furthermore, linear transport systems are known from the prior art in which a movable unit can be moved along a guide rail and which have a linear motor for driving the movable unit, wherein the linear motor comprises a stator and a rotor. The stator can have at least one motor module arranged stationary along the guide rail with one or more drive coils, while the movable unit is arranged on the carriage and can have one or more magnets. By energizing the drive coils, a force can be generated on the magnets of the movable unit such that the movable unit moves along the guide rail.It can further be provided that the movable unit or the carriage has a tool, wherein in order to operate the tool, energy must be transferred from the stationary unit to the movable unit and data can be transferred both from the stationary unit to the movable unit and from the movable unit to the stationary unit.

[0005] DE 10 2018 111 715 A1 discloses a linear transport system with energy transmission between a stationary coil module as a stationary unit and a movable carriage as a movable unit. For this purpose, energy transmitting coils and energy receiving coils are provided for energy transmission, as well as first and second data coils for data transmission.

[0006] DE 10 2020 107 782 A1 relates to an energy transmission system of a linear transport system, in particular a transmission of energy from a stationary unit of a linear transport system to a movable unit of the linear transport system. The linear transport system has a guide rail for guiding the movable unit, several stationary units, a control unit, and a linear motor for driving the movable unit along the guide rail. The linear motor has a stator and a rotor. The stator has the stationary units, each of which comprises one or more drive coils. The rotor is arranged on the movable unit and has one or more magnets. The stationary units each have one or more energy transmitting coils. The movable unit has at least one energy receiving coil.The control unit determines position data of the energy receiving coil of the movable unit, selects at least one energy transmitting coil within the linear transport system based on the position data of the energy receiving coil, and outputs a control signal to the stationary unit, including identification information with which the respective energy transmitting coil can be identified.

[0007] If the linear transport system has multiple stationary units, each of these can have one or more energy transmission coils. By selecting one of the energy transmission coils based on the position data of the moving unit, only those energy transmission coils that currently enable efficient energy transfer to the moving unit are energized. Energy transmission coils located farther from the moving unit are energized to a lesser extent or not at all, thus saving energy. The energy quantity, power, and / or current strength of the energization of the selected energy transmission coil must be adjusted. The corresponding stationary unit is configured to receive the control signal and select the energy transmission coil that can be identified based on the identification information.With multiple moving units, different energy transmission coils can be energized with different alternating voltages or currents to transmit different amounts of energy. The moving unit can comprise a tool that requires energy to operate. When the tool is required to perform an action and therefore requires a certain amount of energy to be applied, the energy transmission coil is energized in such a way that the amount of energy to be applied is transferred. The tool can generate physical quantities on the moving unit. Furthermore, a vacuum could be generated. This allows products to be gently picked up and released using a suction device on the moving unit. Technical problem

[0008] Based on this, a cost-effective and robust assembly and procedure with high processing speed is to be provided to enable the production of modules or module precursors, in particular of fuel or battery cells containing layered material. The cathodes, anodes, and / or electrodes laminated between two separators should be transported reliably, damage-free, and at high speed before stacking to form the cells. Furthermore, existing assemblies should be expandable with functionalities that enable this improved operation. Proposed solution

[0009] To solve this problem, a device and a method according to the independent claims are proposed.

[0010] An assembly line is used to manufacture modules or precursors of modules in the form of fuel or battery cells containing layered material. At least one transport path is provided and configured to convey at least one workpiece carrier between at least two process stations. The workpiece carrier is provided and configured to receive at least one first layered material or at least one second layered material along its respective transport path at the respective first process station and to release the first layered material or the second layered material again at the respective second process station. Each workpiece carrier has a pneumatic vacuum pump, which is provided and configured to apply vacuum to open channels on an upper side of the workpiece carrier in a controlled manner. Each workpiece carrier has an energy receiving device for supplying the vacuum pump with energy.Each workpiece carrier has a communication terminal that is provided and configured to receive control signals for actuating the pneumatic vacuum pump.

[0011] The electrode / anode / cathode layers located on the surface of the workpiece carriers are moved along the transport path and securely held to the surface of the respective workpiece carrier by vacuum. The power supply to the pneumatic vacuum pump of each workpiece carrier is preferably contactless. This reduces maintenance effort, as there is no need to replace wearing or consumable parts (friction wheel, batteries, etc.). This can increase throughput, as the arrangement has fewer maintenance-related downtimes. The transfer of the electrode / anode / cathode layers located on the surface of the workpiece carriers can also be faster with the solution presented here, because the positioning of the layers on the surface of the workpiece carriers does not change during transport of the workpiece carriers.Previous workpiece carriers with an adhesive or sticky support surface have proven to be insufficiently reliable, and workpiece carriers with mechanical clamping of the transported layers can lead to damage during transport. Other known arrangements, in which the workpiece carriers are supplied with negative pressure from the transport line, often do not meet the reliability requirements. In contrast, the solution presented here functions reliably even in harsh environments; the provision of negative pressure in the workpiece carriers can be cost-effectively retrofitted even to existing transport lines.

[0012] In one variant, the workpiece carrier has a carrier plate into which the open channels are incorporated on the upper side of the workpiece carrier. In another variant, a mounting plate for the electrode stack is detachably arranged on the carrier plate of the workpiece carrier. The fluid channels and their openings are incorporated into the mounting plate. If required, the energy receiving device for supplying the vacuum pump with energy, as well as the communication terminal, etc., are also incorporated into the carrier plate.

[0013] Further advantageous embodiments of the devices and procedures emerge from the subclaims.

[0014] In one variant, the at least one transport path comprises a first and a second transport path. These first and second transport paths are arranged, at least in sections, on either side of a central conveyor path, wherein the first and second transport paths receive an anode layer as the first layer material and a cathode layer as the second layer material at their respective first process station, and preferably deliver the anode layer as the first layer material and the cathode layer as the second layer material at their respective second process station, respectively, onto the central conveyor path, alternately.

[0015] In another variant, the first and second transport lines receive a first multi-layer stack as the first layer material at their respective first processing station, and a second multi-layer stack as the second layer material at their respective second processing station. At their respective second processing station, they alternately deliver the first multi-layer stack and the second multi-layer stack onto the central conveyor path. The layers can either be deposited directly on the central conveyor path or they can be deposited onto another transport or processing device on the central conveyor path.

[0016] In one variant, each transport path is assigned a stator field coil arrangement which is provided and configured to be energized by a control device in such a way that the stator field coil arrangement forms a magnetic traveling field along at least a section of the transport path.

[0017] In one variant, each workpiece carrier has a rotor arrangement which is provided and configured to interact with the magnetic traveling field formed by the stator field coil arrangement, whereby the workpiece carrier moves along its transport path. The workpiece carriers can be conveyed along their transport path by a traveling field drive of the type described above or by at least partially driven transport rollers or sections with driven conveyor belts arranged along the transport path.

[0018] In one variant, the stator field coil arrangement has several adjacent field coils. These field coils are energized independently of one another in such a way that the traveling magnetic field is formed along at least a portion of the transport path.

[0019] In one variant, the rotor assembly of each workpiece carrier is permanently or separately excited to interact with the traveling magnetic field of the stator field coil assembly. In the variant of a permanently excited rotor assembly of each workpiece carrier, several permanent magnets are provided, with adjacent permanent magnets magnetically oriented alternately toward the stator field coil assembly and dimensioned relative to the stator field coil assembly so that they can be aligned with the adjacent field coils.

[0020] In one variant, the open channels on the upper side of the workpiece carrier are arranged and dimensioned in such a way that the upper side of the workpiece carrier can receive at least one layer and hold it with the negative pressure from the negative pressure pump during transport from the respective first process station to the respective second process station.

[0021] In one variant, each transport line has at least one guide rail that accommodates rollers arranged on the workpiece carrier, allowing the workpiece carrier to move along the guide rail of the transport line. Alternatively, the rollers can also be attached to the guide rail. This can reduce the mass of the workpiece carriers to be moved.

[0022] In one variant, the energy receiving device of each workpiece carrier receives the energy to supply the vacuum pump independently of the rotor arrangement and the stator field coil arrangement. This is advantageous, for example, when retrofitting the assembly line, because the control of the stator field coil arrangement can remain unchanged.

[0023] In one variant, the communication terminal of each workpiece carrier receives the control signals for the pneumatic vacuum pump independently of the rotor arrangement and the stator field coil arrangement. This is also advantageous, for example, when retrofitting the assembly line, because the control of the stator field coil arrangement can remain unchanged.

[0024] A process for producing modules or precursors of modules in the form of fuel or battery cells containing layered material, for example, has the following steps: at least one workpiece carrier is conveyed along at least one transport path between at least two process stations; each workpiece carrier picks up at least one first layer material or at least one second layer material along its respective transport path at the respective first process station and releases the first layer material or the second layer material again at the respective second process station; For each workpiece carrier, a pneumatic vacuum pump applies controlled negative pressure to open channels on the top side of the workpiece carrier; For each workpiece carrier, an energy receiving device supplies energy to the vacuum pump; and At each workpiece carrier, a communication terminal receives control signals to operate the pneumatic vacuum pump.

[0025] In one variant, the transport path is a closed loop and / or has several path segments to be connected to one another, in each of which a group of the stator field coil arrangement is accommodated.

[0026] In one variant, a stator field coil arrangement in each transport path is energized by a control device, so that the stator field coil arrangement forms a traveling magnetic field along at least a section of the transport path. In one variant, a rotor arrangement for each workpiece carrier interacts with the traveling magnetic field formed by the stator field coil arrangement, causing the workpiece carrier to move along its transport path. During operation, a group of the stator field coil arrangement or a part of the group in the area of ​​which the workpiece carrier to be moved is located is energized. The workpiece carriers are guided along the guide rail by the rollers. The coils of the stator field coil arrangement along the guide rail are individually energized with a variable coil current. Each of the track segments can be energized separately from the adjacent track segment.Each workpiece carrier is equipped with a variant of an array of permanent magnets. When the stator field coil arrangement is energized, a magnetic (traveling) field is generated, which interacts with the magnetic field of the permanent magnets and generates a feed force on the workpiece carrier. Over time, the coils of the stator field coil arrangement are repeatedly assigned to different workpiece carriers during the movement of the workpiece carrier.

[0027] In one variant, each workpiece carrier is assigned a current collector, a wireless communication terminal with I / O interfaces, an antenna and a vacuum pump.

[0028] In one variant, the data transmission of signals to the wireless communication end device is carried out via a wireless transmission compatible with IEC 61131-9: 2022-05 (SDCI (Single-drop digital communication interface for small sensors and actuators) - IO-Link). This can be, for example, a so-called IO-Link Wireless transmission link. Other communication protocols can also be used. IO-Link Wireless is an extension of IO-Link at the physical level and defines wireless communication between sensors / actuators and controllers (PLCs) in the industrial automation environment. Performance, functionality, and capability are comparable to the wired SDCI. The elimination of (moving) cables leads to greater flexibility, less wear, and better scalability. An IO-Link Wireless transmission link can transmit cyclic data (process data) and acyclic data (on-request data). It is compatible with standard IO-Link (see above).A 2.4 GHz ISM band RF transceiver can be used. The 2.4 GHz band is divided into 80 channels, each spaced 1 MHz apart. General coexistence with other wireless systems can be ensured through a so-called blacklisting mechanism. For example, certain channels that are already extensively used by other systems can be masked out in advance. Frequency hopping can be applied within this framework. This achieves a bit error rate (BER) of 10. -9 This is equivalent to similar, wired systems. The cycle time is 5 ms. The transmission power is limited to less than or equal to 10 dBm (10 mW) EIRP. This enables secure communication within a 20 m radius between the workpiece carriers and the base station within a master cell with one communication channel.

[0029] The vacuum supply to the workpiece carriers is provided by a vacuum pump, including an electric drive motor, located underneath the upper support surface of the workpiece carrier. Additionally, an energy receiver coil is provided on the side of the workpiece carrier. This coil interacts with a feed coil, located stationary next to the conveyor track, to supply energy to the vacuum pump. The conveyor track has additional transmitter coils as a stator field coil arrangement, which are provided as part of the conveyor track. The energy supply to the vacuum pump and the stator field coil arrangement are independent of each other. When the energy supply feed coil is energized with alternating current, a second magnetic field is generated, and a voltage is induced in the receiver coil to supply energy to the vacuum pump.

[0030] The stator field coil arrangement is energized, for example, by sinusoidal primary conductor current with several kHz alternating frequency (for example approx. 10 - 150 kHz) at 200 - 500 volts PP and 10 - 60 A, which is obtained from mains current by frequency conversion. Short description of the characters

[0031] Further features, properties, advantages, and usefulness of the devices and methods can be found in the following description in conjunction with the drawings. Possible modifications will also become clear to a person skilled in the art from the following description, which refers to the accompanying drawings. The figures schematically show the devices and method sequence discussed here. Individual aspects are explained in connection with the device, with the method or individual steps of the method also resulting directly from this.

[0032] Here we show: Fig. 1 an assembly line for the production of modules or precursors of modules in a schematic sectional view; and Fig. 2 part of the assembly line Fig. 1 in a schematic top view.

[0033] Detailed description of variants of devices and procedures Fig. Figure 1 schematically illustrates an assembly line 100 for manufacturing modules or module precursors. Here, the assembly line 100 is explained using fuel or battery cells as an example, which contain layer material and / or fluid.

[0034] The illustrated assembly line 100 comprises two transport lines 110; 110' for conveying workpiece carriers 120; 120' between two process stations 130, 160; 130', 160' at the respective two transport lines 110; 110'. The first and second transport lines 110; 110' are arranged on either side of a central conveyor path 104. The first and second transport lines 110; 110' receive an anode layer AL as the first layer material and a cathode layer KL as the second layer material at their respective first process station 130, 130' and deliver the anode layer AL and the cathode layer KL alternately onto the central conveyor path 104 at their respective second process station 160; 160'. Alternatively, the first and second transport lines 110; 110' serve to produce a first multi-layer stack or multi-layer stack as the first layer material at their respective first process station 130; 130'.to receive a second multi-layer stack as the second layer material, and to deliver the first multi-layer stack or the second multi-layer stack alternately onto the central conveyor path 104 at their respective second process station 160; 160'.

[0035] The workpiece carriers 120; 120' pick up a first layer material AL or a second layer material KL along their respective transport path 110; 110' at the respective first process station 130; 130'. For this purpose, dispensers (not further illustrated) are used, which pull the respective layer material from a roll, separate it, and apply it to the workpiece carriers 120; 120'. Subsequently, each workpiece carrier 120; 120' travels along its transport path 110; 110' to the respective second process station 160; 160' to deliver the first layer material AL or the second layer material KL there using a corresponding transfer device (not further illustrated). In the variant illustrated here, this delivery takes place on the central conveyor path 104 (see Fig.2), which may have individual transport devices not further illustrated, such as the workpiece carriers 120; 120', or a conveyor belt that transports the delivered layer materials as a stack.

[0036] In the variant illustrated here, each transport path 110; 110' is assigned a stator field coil arrangement 112 that extends along the transport path 110; 110' and, during operation, is supplied with alternating current by a control device 102 such that the stator field coil arrangement 112 forms a traveling magnetic field at least in sections along the transport path 110; 110'. For this purpose, the stator field coil arrangement 112 has a plurality of adjacent field coils that are to be energized independently of one another such that the traveling magnetic field is formed along at least a section of the transport path 110; 110'. This traveling magnetic field interacts with a rotor arrangement 122 that is provided on each workpiece carrier 120; 120'.The rotor assembly 122 of each workpiece carrier 120; 120' is designed to be either permanently excited or separately excited in order to interact with the traveling magnetic field of the stator field coil assembly 112. The permanently excited variant of the rotor assembly 122 of each workpiece carrier 120; 120' has several permanent magnets. Adjacent permanent magnets are magnetically oriented alternately toward the stator field coil assembly 112 and are dimensioned relative to the stator field coil assembly 112 such that they can be individually aligned with the adjacent field coils. The stator field coil assembly 112 and the rotor assembly 122 are aligned with one another and separated by a horizontal air gap 123.The magnetic traveling field generated by the stator field coil arrangement 112 along each transport path 110; 110' varies temporally and spatially in such a way that each workpiece carrier 120 is moved along its transport path 110; 110'. A plurality of workpiece carriers 120 can be moved along each transport path 110; 110'. For this purpose, each transport path 110; 110' can be divided into sections (not illustrated in detail here) that are individually energized by the transport controller 112 in order to create a separate traveling field for each workpiece carrier 120, 120'.

[0037] The conveyance of the workpiece carriers 120 along their transport path 110; 110' can also be carried out in a manner other than by a traveling field drive of the type described above. For example, at least partially driven transport rollers or sections with driven conveyor belts arranged along the transport path 110; 110', with which the workpiece carriers 120 interact, can also be used.

[0038] An electrically operated pneumatic vacuum pump 124 is arranged in the workpiece carrier 120; 120', which is connected on its suction side to channels 126 open to the top of the workpiece carrier 120. During operation of the pneumatic vacuum pump 124, it generates a vacuum at the openings of the channels 126, which sucks the first and second layer materials AL, KL safely and gently to the top of the workpiece carrier 120; 120'. The open channels 126 on the top of the workpiece carrier 120, which are fed with vacuum, ensure that the top of the workpiece carrier 120; 120' can receive the anode layer AL and the cathode layer KL, respectively, and can hold them with the vacuum from the vacuum pump 124 during transport from the respective first process station 130; 130' to the respective second process station 160; 160'. This prevents the layer material from shifting relative to the top side of the workpiece carrier 120; 120' during high-speed transport.

[0039] Furthermore, each workpiece carrier 120; 120' has an energy receiving device 124a for supplying the vacuum pump 124 with electrical energy. The energy receiving device 124a is mounted laterally on the workpiece carrier 120 and receives inductively transmitted energy from a line 116 running alongside the transport path 110; 110'. For this purpose, the line 116 is supplied with alternating current, which is supplied by an inverter 118b connected to a pump controller 118. This pump controller 118 supplies the operating energy for the vacuum pump 124 independently of the energy supply to the transport path for moving the workpiece carriers 120; 120'.The energy for the vacuum pump 124 can either be temporarily stored in an accumulator (not further illustrated) for the operation of the vacuum pump 124; 124' in the workpiece carrier 120; 120', or the energy is fed in only at the times when the vacuum pump 124 is to suck the layer material to the top of the workpiece carrier 120; 120'.

[0040] In the variant illustrated here, the operation of the vacuum pump 124 is accomplished by means of a communication terminal 128 accommodated in the workpiece carrier 120, which receives control signals for actuating the pneumatic vacuum pump 124 during operation. For this purpose, data transmission of control signals to the wireless communication terminal 128 is provided in particular via a wireless transmission compatible with IEC 61131-9:2022-05 (SDCI). This can be, for example, a so-called IO-Link wireless transmission link, the base station 118a of which is also controlled by the pump controller 118. The energy coupled into the energy receiving device 124a as alternating current is rectified in a converter 124b and converted to a supply voltage level for the vacuum pump 124, for the communication terminal 128, and for a control ECU in the workpiece carrier 120; 120' brought.In the variant illustrated here, the communication terminal 128 of each workpiece carrier 120; 120' receives the control signals for the pneumatic vacuum pump 124 wirelessly and independently of the power supply of the stator field coil arrangement 112 and, if applicable, the rotor arrangement 122.

[0041] Each transport path 110; 110' has at least one guide rail 114 that accommodates rollers 120a arranged on the workpiece carrier 120; 120', allowing the workpiece carrier 120; 120' to move along the guide rail 114 of the transport path 110. For this purpose, four rollers 120a are arranged on the workpiece carrier 120; 120' in an O-arrangement at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece carrier 120; 120' and are rotatably and captively mounted in a manner not illustrated in detail. Other arrangements of the rollers 120a on the workpiece carrier 120; 120' are also possible.

[0042] The variants of the assembly line described above, their design and operating aspects, as well as the variants of the procedure, serve only to improve understanding of the structure, functionality, and properties; they do not limit the disclosure to the exemplary embodiments. The figures are partly schematic. Key properties and effects are sometimes shown significantly enlarged to clarify the functions, operating principles, technical designs, and features. Each functionality, principle, technical design, and feature disclosed in the figures or in the text can be incorporated into all claims, each feature in the text, and in the other figures., other modes of operation, principles, technical embodiments and features contained in this disclosure or resulting therefrom can be freely and arbitrarily combined so that all conceivable combinations can be assigned to the described procedure. This also includes combinations between all individual embodiments in the text, i.e. in every section of the description, in the claims and also combinations between different variants in the text, in the claims and in the figures. The claims also do not limit the disclosure and thus the possible combinations of all the features shown with one another. All disclosed features are explicitly disclosed here, both individually and in combination with all other features. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2020138 854 A

[0003] DE 10 2018 111 715 A1

[0005] DE 10 2020 107 782 A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Assembly line (100) for producing modules or precursors of modules in the form of fuel or battery cells containing layered material; wherein - at least one transport path (110; 110') is provided and is designed to convey at least one workpiece carrier (120; 120') between at least two process stations (130, 160; 130', 160'); - each workpiece carrier (120; 120') is provided and configured to receive at least one first layer material (AL) or at least one second layer material (KL) along its respective transport path (110; 110') at the respective first process station (130; 130') and to deliver the first layer material (AL) or the second layer material (KL) again at the respective second process station (160; 160'); - each workpiece carrier (120; 120') has a pneumatic vacuum pump (124) which is provided and designed to apply a controlled vacuum to open channels (126) on an upper side of the workpiece carrier (120; 120'); - each workpiece carrier (120; 120') has an energy receiving device (124a) for supplying the vacuum pump (124) with energy; and - each workpiece carrier (120; 120') has a communication terminal (128) which is provided and configured to receive control signals for actuating the pneumatic vacuum pump (124). [2] Assembly line (100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one transport path (110; 110') comprises a first and a second transport path (110; 110') which are arranged on both sides of a central conveyor path (104); - the first and second transport paths (110; 110') are provided and configured to receive an anode layer (AL) as the first layer material or a cathode layer (KL) as the second layer material at their respective first process station (130, 130'), and to deliver the anode layer (AL) as the first layer material or the cathode layer (KL) as the second layer material alternately onto the central conveyor path (104) at their respective second process station (160; 160'); and / or - the first and the second transport path (110; 110') are provided and are designed to receive a first multi-layer stack of layers as the first layer material or a second multi-layer stack of layers as the second layer material at their respective first process station (130; 130'), and to deliver the first multi-layer stack of layers or the second multi-layer stack of layers onto the central conveyor path (104) at their respective second process station (160; 160'). [3] Assembly line (100) according to claim 1 or 2, - each transport path (110; 110') is assigned a stator field coil arrangement (112) which is provided and configured to be energized by a control device (102) so that the stator field coil arrangement (112) forms a magnetic traveling field along at least a section of the transport path (110; 110'); and / or - each workpiece carrier (120; 120') has a rotor arrangement (122) which is provided and designed to interact with the magnetic traveling field formed by the stator field coil arrangement (112), whereby the workpiece carrier (120; 120') moves along its transport path (110; 110'); and / or where - the stator field coil arrangement (112) comprises a plurality of adjacent field coils which are to be energized independently of one another in such a way that the magnetic traveling field is formed along at least one section of the transport path (110; 110'). [4] Assembly line (100) according to claim 3, wherein - the rotor arrangement (122) of each workpiece carrier (120; 120') is permanently or separately excited in order to interact with the magnetic traveling field of the stator field coil arrangement (112; 112'); wherein the permanently excited rotor arrangement (122) of each workpiece carrier (120; 120') comprises a plurality of permanent magnets, wherein adjacent permanent magnets are magnetically alternately oriented in the direction of the stator field coil arrangement (112) and are dimensioned relative to the stator field coil arrangement (112) such that they are to be aligned with the adjacent field coils of the stator field coil arrangement (112). [5] Assembly line (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein - the open channels (126) on the upper side of the workpiece carrier (120; 120') are arranged and dimensioned such that the upper side of the workpiece carrier (120; 120') can receive the at least one anode layer (AL) or the at least one cathode layer (KL) and can hold them with the negative pressure from the negative pressure pump (124; 124') during transport from the respective first process station (130; 130') to the respective second process station (160; 160'). [6] Assembly line (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein - each transport path (110; 110') has at least one guide rail (114) which is provided and designed to receive rollers (120a) arranged on the workpiece carrier (120; 120') so that the workpiece carrier (120; 120') can move along the guide rail (114) of the transport path (110; 110'). [7] Assembly line (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein - the energy receiving device (124a) of each workpiece carrier (120; 120') is provided and is designed to receive energy for supplying the vacuum pump (124) independently of the rotor arrangement (122) and the stator field coil arrangement (112). [8] Assembly line (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein - the communication terminal (128) of each workpiece carrier (120; 120') is provided and configured to receive the control signals for the pneumatic vacuum pump (124) wirelessly and / or independently of the rotor arrangement (122) and the stator field coil arrangement (112). [9] A method for producing modules or precursors of modules in the form of fuel or battery cells containing layered material, comprising the steps of: - at least one workpiece carrier is conveyed along at least one transport path between at least two process stations; - each workpiece carrier picks up at least one first layer material or at least one second layer material along its respective transport path at the respective first process station and releases the first layer material or the second layer material again at the respective second process station; - at each transport path, a stator field coil arrangement is energized by a control device, so that the stator field coil arrangement forms a traveling magnetic field along at least a section of the transport path; - for each workpiece carrier, a rotor arrangement interacts with the magnetic traveling field formed by the stator field coil arrangement, causing the workpiece carrier to move along its transport path; - on each workpiece carrier, a pneumatic vacuum pump applies controlled vacuum to open channels on the top side of the workpiece carrier; - for each workpiece carrier, an energy receiving device supplies energy to supply the vacuum pump; and - For each workpiece carrier, a communication terminal receives control signals to operate the pneumatic vacuum pump.

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