Flow Field Plate | Bipolar Plate Fuel Cell | Bipolar Plates for Fuel Cells | Fuel Cell Bipolar Plate Manufacturer | Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bipolar Plate

Bipolar Plates

Bipolar Plates for Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Hydrogen fuel cells are powering our future - from portable generators for personal use to consumer electronics to UAVs and forklifts - and the demand for hydrogen power is rapidly expanding. Switzer has the manufacturing capabilities and industry expertise to help you produce more efficient hydrogen fuel cells for a variety of applications. Our flow field plates offer efficiencies and options not achievable through traditional manufacturing methods such as stamping and hydroforming and our process is designed to move through the prototyping phase quickly and cost effectively, allowing you to bring your ideas to market faster.

Engineering Design Support

If you need it, our engineers and experts are here to help.

Low Cost Tooling

Easily modify designs without a significant investment.

Prototype to Production

We have expertise across each phase of your project.

Lifecycle Support

We’ll stay with you through every component evolution.

Built-In Efficiencies

When compared to stamping or forming manufacturing methods, our photochemical machining has efficiencies built into every step of the process to produce precise and complex metal bipolar plates and meshes with ease. Your custom flow field plates need to work with your existing machinery and equipment. Our capabilities make that a guarantee.

Custom Flow Field channel designs

  • Channels on one side of the plate
  • Symmetrical channels on both sides of the plate
  • Asymmetrical channels on both sides of the plate
  • Channel surfaces within the US DOE’s roughness standards
  • Tight channel radiuses

Flexible Channel Configuration

  • More land available for membrane adherence
  • Straighter side walls
  • Rounded channel bottoms (less clogging)
  • Deep or shallow, wide or narrow channels

Custom micro screens and meshes

  • Custom hole layout and cross section configurations
  • Single piece mesh withstand higher flow pressures than woven wire mesh
  • Burr free holes reduce blinding

Flexible and Scalable Production

Our process scales seamlessly from prototype through production. Our engineering team will work with you to develop a manufacturable flow field plate for prototype and pre-production, and when you are ready to scale up, you can rest easy knowing you can expect the same exact product in production volumes as you successfully tested at lower volumes.
  • Low-Cost Tooling

    Our low-cost tooling allows you to test multiple designs quickly and efficiently in order to help determine the optimized design for your fuel cell stack. This gives you the flexibility to continue improving your own process indefinitely.
  • Rapid Prototyping

    Different prototype designs can be produced quickly to meet your internal timelines and get to market faster. As you scale, tweaks to the design can continue at low cost and fast speed.
  • Full Stack Provider

    We don’t just make bipolar plates. Our capabilities include everything you need outside of membranes and converters. We’ll work with you to produce all the components you need and assemble your stacks prior to delivery.

Our process is unmatched in precision. We will work with you to ensure your component allows your finished product to perform as needed. The first step is a finished component that meets the exact specifications of your design.
  • Metal thickness: Up to 0.100”
  • Channel depth: Up to 030” deep
  • Channel width: Minimum of .006”
  • Mesh hole minimum diameter: .006”
  • Plate length and width: Up to 24” x 48”
  • Linear dimension tolerances: +/-10% of channel depth

We are able to create your component out of a number of practical and durable metals, including stainless steel, copper alloys, and aluminum. Our experts can help you determine the right material.

  • Stainless steel
  • Monel
  • Aluminum

How Photochemical Machining Can Reduce Prototyping Costs for Hydrogen Electrolysis

Photochemical machining (PCM), also known as photochemical etching, can be a game changer when it comes to prototyping flow field plates for hydrogen electrolysis and hydrogen fuel cell stacks.
Read More »

Every Project Starts with a Conversation

Chances are, your needs are specific. And our expertise is extensive. We want to learn as many of those details before taking on your project. When we know precisely what you need, we can develop a streamlined plan to produce it – in fact, we may be able to deliver more than you think.

Bringing Your Design to Life

Let’s bring your design to life so you (and we) can properly vet it. Our process actually allows for several designs to be arrayed on a single sheet, giving you more prototyping options than before. Producing your component exactly the way you need it is our only goal – often, prototyping is the best way to get there.

Our Superior Process at Work

Our photochemical machining process opens up a world of possibilities for your components. Every phase of this multi-step process is exceedingly precise and subject to stringent quality control – including 1st article inspections to guarantee dimensions. Our production processes are capable of both high and low volumes, and our production times are typically measured in days, not weeks, so you get your parts sooner.
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On-Time Delivery Guaranteed

When it comes to precision parts, Switzer delivers. Specifically, we deliver in economical bundles or whatever packaging arrangements you request. We understand that accurate deliveries are critical to your performance metrics, so we make a simple promise: if your delivery is late, we pay the freight.

Capabilities to Support Your Exact Needs

Precision metal fabrication creates highly-accurate and detailed components. Our capabilities span the full spectrum to ensure every part meets your unique specifications and are delivered exactly when you need them.
  • Start-to-Finish Product Support
  • Trusted Vendor Partners
  • In-House Manufacturing & Engineering
  • Custom Packaging & Shipping

Consult with a Technical Sales Expert About Your Bipolar Plate Requirements

At Switzer, we know the world is going to adopt hydrogen fuel cell usage rapidly during the next five years. You need a partner who can produce in bipolar plates for high volumes to keep up with that demand. A consultation with our sales team is more than a quote, because Switzer does more than make your parts. Schedule your consultation to discuss:

Material Consultations

Prototype Assistance

Streamlining Supply Chains

Cost Efficiency & Savings

Paul Eppolito

Your Fuel Cell Specialist is

Paul Eppolito

Business Development at Switzer
paul.eppolito@switzermfg.com

4020 Jeffrey Blvd. | BUFFALO, NY 14219
P: (716) 821-9393 / (800) 875-1093

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