SK on, a battery subsidiary of SK Innovation, is collaborating with domestic and foreign companies possessing global-level core technologies to advance the intelligence of battery production equipment.
On the afternoon of Dec. 26, SK on announced the signing of a six-party memorandum of understanding (MOU) at its Green Campus in the Jongno district of Seoul, with Beckhoff Automation, Cisco, ifm electronic, Yaskawa Electric Korea, and Woowon Technology. This MOU aims to enhance control and communication systems for battery production equipment.
SK on plans to verify the performance, quality, and reliability of the technologies and services offered by these companies and discuss strategic cooperation for intelligent production equipment. This initiative is expected to enhance manufacturing competitiveness through cost reduction and yield improvement without major equipment overhauls.
The collaboration includes exploring advancements in controllers overseeing equipment control, smart sensors for monitoring, communication networks, and power devices—all key components and systems related to battery production equipment.
Upgrading controllers is closely linked to improved equipment speed, contributing to increased production. Intelligent smart sensors can more accurately and quickly detect equipment conditions and errors, reducing recovery time in case of malfunctions and thus increasing operational efficiency.
Advancements in the network system are expected to reduce downtime, enhance data redundancy and security, and lay the groundwork for remote equipment control. This aligns with SK on’s strategy to bolster its Smart Factory initiative.
Previously, SK on had announced plans to implement the latest equipment and technologies in its under-construction Seosan Plant 3 to create a Smart Factory and to apply state-of-the-art solutions in existing factories to enhance productivity.