SK On is strategically advancing the intellectualization of battery production equipment by collaborating with Korean and international companies possessing global-level core technologies.
The primary goal of this collaboration is to utilize Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to optimize equipment efficiency and boost productivity.
Formalizing the partnership, SK On inked a six-party Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on December 26 (KST) at the SK Green Campus in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. The MOU involves key players such as Beckhoff Automation, Cisco, IFM Electronic, Yaskawa Electric Korea, and Woowon Technology. The focus of this collaboration is to enhance the control and communication systems for battery production equipment.
In pursuit of its objectives, SK On aims to assess the performance, quality, and stability of technologies and services offered by its collaborators. The discussions will also center on strategic cooperation to intellectualize battery production equipment, with the ultimate aim of strengthening manufacturing competitiveness through cost reduction and improved yield, without the need for extensive equipment remodeling.
Working closely with its partners, SK On plans to explore advancements in critical components and systems associated with battery production equipment. This includes controllers overseeing equipment operation, smart sensors for monitoring, communication networks, and power devices. Upgrading controllers is seen as integral to improving equipment speed, which directly contributes to increased production volumes.
Intellectualized smart sensors play a crucial role in enabling quicker and more precise detection of equipment status and errors. This, in turn, leads to reduced recovery times and higher operational efficiency in the event of malfunctions. Advancements in network systems are expected to result in reduced downtime, enhanced data redundancy, and improved security, laying the groundwork for remote equipment control in line with SK On's "smart factory" initiative.
SK On's plans for implementing the latest equipment and technologies extend to the Seosan Plant 3, currently under construction, to establish a "smart factory." Furthermore, these cutting-edge solutions will be applied in existing factories to enhance productivity.
The collaborating companies, globally acclaimed for their expertise in industrial equipment control and telecommunication technologies, include Beckhoff and IFM from Germany, specializing in automation solutions and smart sensors, respectively. Yaskawa Electric from Japan is renowned for manufacturing industrial robots and machinery, while Cisco, headquartered in the U.S., is the world’s leading network equipment provider. Woowon Technology, a Korean company, specializes in battery assembly equipment.
Through this collaboration with SK On, a global battery specialist, these companies anticipate not only elevating expertise in control and communication solutions for battery production equipment but also achieving positive business outcomes, such as increased sales and expansion opportunities.
Oh Ki-young, a Specialized Committee of SK On’s Factory Innovation TF, said, “Through this collaboration, SK On aims to lay the foundation for building a smart factory through the intellectualization of production equipment. We are committed to collaborating with both our local and global partners possessing global competitiveness to enhance our manufacturing strength.”
