Flow Field Plate | Channel Plate | Bipolar Plates | Hydrogen Fuel Cell Production & Electrolysis

Custom Channel Plates for Electrolyzers, Hydrogen Generation & Purification Systems

As the demand for alternative energy sources grows, rapid innovation to develop reliable, efficient technology is crucial. Our technology offers custom channel design options not achievable through traditional manufacturing methods, such as stamping and hydroforming. These advanced design options help deliver outstanding electrical conductivity, heat transfer, optimized catalytic performance, and enhanced output and efficiency. Our PCM technology is also designed to move you through prototype testing and pre-production development quickly and cost effectively, allowing you to bring your ideas to market faster.

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Expertise Across Industries

Learn more about the specific ways Switzer can support your needs.

Hydrogen Technology

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.

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

Thicker Metal Plates

Improved efficiency of each plate and the overall stack
Increased stability of the stack
More channel depth options on both sides of the plate

Flexible Channel Configuration

More land available for membrane adherence
Straighter side walls
Rounded channel bottoms (less clogging)

Flow Field Plate | Channel Plate | Bipolar Plates for Fuel Cells | Battery Cooling Plates | Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bipolar Plate

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 flow field 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

Flow Field Plate | Channel Plate | Bipolar Plates | Battery Cooling Plates | Hydrogen Fuel Cell Production & Electrolysis

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.

Metal Alloy Foil Element

Inconel

Copper

Beryllium Copper

Phosphor Bronze

Nickel

Stainless Steel

Nichrome

Base Laminate

Stainless steel

Monel

Aluminum

Improve your component performance with custom coatings. Our capabilities are extensive, and our commitment to precision means each part will meet our high standards for finishing quality. NADCAP plating available if requested.

Silver plate

Teflon™

Electroless Nickel

Tin-lead

Chromate conversion

Gold plating

Passivation

Photochemical Machining | Photochemical Etching | Hydrogen Electrolysis | Hydrogen Production Through Electrolysis | Flow Field Plate

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.

Hydrogen Electrolysis | Hydrogen Production Through Electrolysis | Hydrogen Power Plant | Hydrogen Production Plant

Hydrogen Production: Advantages & Disadvantages of Different Methods

Hydrogen, often hailed as the fuel of the future, is a versatile energy carrier that can be produced from a wide array of sources and processes. Depending on the production method, hydrogen is classified into several types, each characterized by its environmental impact and feedstock. Here, we’ll outline some of the more common hydrogen production methods being used and explored to power our future.

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

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Consult with a Technical Sales Expert About Your Flow Field 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 flow field 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: