Case Studies
JR Automation and Lion Electric: Meeting EV Demand Through Automation
POSTED 04/24/2023
Lion Electric is a leader in urban transit and transport, producing zero-emissions electric vehicle solutions that are capable of making a huge impact in cities around the world. When demand for their products skyrocketed, the company realized that they needed to quickly scale up their manufacturing capabilities to meet the demand. That meant ensuring that all levels of their implementation—the product, the process, the suppliers—were done right, on the first try. To solve the challenge, Lion Electric reached out to JR Automation.
SOLUTION
With an aggressive deadline for implementation, the Lion and JR Automation teams recognized that they would first have to conceptualize the end-to-end solution. To do so, JR Automation built a fully-functioning prototype system, using key automation elements that the final production system would require. This meant creating a solution capable of Hi Pot testing, adhesive application, pressing, lasers, welding and final testing, all while being flexible enough to be adjusted as the project’s scope evolved.
Once the prototype system was delivering production-quality battery packs, the teams then scaled up the system in a matter of months to deliver a fully automated solution. Spanning multiple JR Automation production facilities, the full production system is a prime example of JR Automation’s ability to design complex, large-scale solutions for its customers.
OUTCOMES AND BENEFITS
Not only did the collaboration deliver a first-class automation solution quickly and effectively, it also created a strong partnership between the two teams. By engaging JR Automation early in the development process, the Lion Electric team was able to gain key insights on how the product should be designed and produced. Together, the teams were able to craft a solution and avoid costly revisions down the line.