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Customer: Kirschner Maschinenbau GmbH

Location:
Euerwang near Greding (Bavaria), Germany

Sector:
Automation technology / Service and testing technology / Automotive industry

Application:
Battery turner for service stations

Maximum safety in battery turning

The battery turner becomes a safety-critical core component of the service station. Together with Kirschner Maschinenbau GmbH and Müller Steuerungstechnik, SEW-EURODRIVE implemented a solution specifically designed for service applications.

At the heart of the system is a redundantly designed lifting unit with two drives, ensuring that a single gearmotor can safely hold the entire load at any time. The concept is complemented by:

  • Regular brake tests
  • A standardized automation architecture
  • Integrated safety functions based on MOVI-C®

The result is a battery turner that integrates seamlessly into the service process and ensures maximum safety wherever people and technology work in close proximity.

The system is used in service stations where battery modules from electric vehicles are inspected, maintained, and repaired off-line. It enables:

  • Automated loading and unloading of battery modules
  • Safe and controlled turning
  • Transfer to downstream testing and repair processes
  • Flexible adaptation to different variants

Kirschner Maschinenbau GmbH

Location: Euerwang near Greding (Bavaria, Germany)

  • Special machine builder with a focus on mechanical engineering
  • Founded in 1987
  • Around 90 employees
  • Active in automotive, special machinery, and contract manufacturing

Partner

Müller Steuerungstechnik

Location: Pollenfeld / Preith (Bavaria, Germany)

  • Specialist in electrical engineering, control systems, and automation technology
  • Family-owned company with over 25 years of experience
  • Certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015
  • Comprehensive expertise from electrical design and software development to commissioning

Sector: Automation technology and electrical engineering

Application: Battery turner for service stations
  • Highest safety and quality requirements due to work under suspended loads
  • Redundant design: one gearmotor must be able to hold the entire load
  • Integrated and reliable solution for regular brake tests
  • Minimized cabling
  • Compliance with existing end-customer standards and proven drive technology

For this demanding application, innovative technology from the modular MOVI-C® automation system was used:

Decentralized drive technology

Control cabinet technology

Drive technology

Software

The coordinated interaction of hardware and software enables a safe, precise, and standardized solution across all product categories.

Implementation of requirements

  • A single gearmotor must always be capable of safely holding the entire load
  • Daily automated brake tests per shift to ensure operational safety
  • Redundant design of the complete drive and safety technology

Key challenge

At the heart of the system is a lifting unit with two gearmotors and maximum safety technology. Since operators must occasionally work under suspended loads, the highest requirements for functional safety and reliability apply.

Benefits for the customer

  • Proven software modules meet complex safety and testing requirements
  • Reduced variant diversity thanks to standardized interfaces
  • End-to-end system solution from a single source – from control system to gearmotor
  • Minimal cabling through modern single-cable solutions
  • High system availability and reproducible quality
  • Efficient and transparent project structure thanks to clear division of responsibilities:
    • Kirschner Maschinenbau: mechanics
    • Müller Steuerungstechnik: electrical engineering and control software

Several battery turners have already been successfully implemented as part of the project. A particular focus was placed on the complex design of the drive and safety technology for the entire lifting system. SEW-EURODRIVE supported the project closely, including system design, commissioning, and safety acceptance.

Voices from the project

The system is designed for different variants and is fully automated. Due to the high value of the battery modules, quality is our top priority, as even slight slipping or a collision can have serious consequences. Accordingly, the requirements for system design and operational safety were extremely high. The collaboration with SEW-EURODRIVE was consistently very good and always reliable, with expert advice, fast support, and close partnership throughout the entire project.
Florian Schneider, Sales and Project Engineering, Kirschner Maschinenbau GmbH
The special feature of this system lies in the systematic approach to the safety-related overall design of the lifting unit and the clear structure of the automation. The focus of the project was on safety, quality, and clean technical implementation. MOVI-C® drive technology provides exactly the flexibility and standards we need for such demanding applications. The collaboration with SEW-EURODRIVE was cooperative and solution-oriented.
Ernst Müller, Managing Director, Müller Steuerungstechnik
This reference shows how the requirements of a safety-critical service environment can be implemented with MOVI-C® using a consistent system approach. The combination of standardized drive technology, integrated safety functions, and predefined software modules results in a solution that is clearly structured and at the same time flexible for service processes. From mechanical design to drive technology through to control and software, MOVI-C® provides a fully integrated system concept.
Peter Keila, Technical Sales and End Customer Support, SEW-EURODRIVE, Drive Office Nuremberg

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