Patent Publication Number: US-2022226875-A1

Title: Equipment for manufacturing separator for fuel cell and method of manufacturing same

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to equipment for manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell and a method of manufacturing the same. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Fuel cells generate electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, and have a structure in which separator plates are disposed on both sides of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). These fuel cells may be connected to a plurality of unit cells in series to form a fuel cell stack. 
     The separator plates for the fuel cells may be composed of an anode separator plate for supplying fuel gas (hydrogen gas) to the membrane electrode assembly, and a cathode separator plate for supplying oxidizing gas (air) to the membrane electrode assembly, with the membrane electrode assembly interposed therebetween, and the anode separator plate and the cathode separator plate have an structure integrated by a welding bonding process (a welding type) or a gasket bonding process (a gasket type). 
     Conventionally, in manufacturing a separator plate, a material constituting an anode separator plate and a material constituting a cathode separator plate may be cut to have a plate shape, respectively, may be separately supplied, and a stamping process and a forming inspection process may be performed individually for each of the materials, to manufacture the anode separator plate and the cathode separator plate as products. In this manner, the anode separator plate and cathode separator plate, respectively manufactured as individual products, may be transferred in a loaded state, respectively, and the anode separator plate and the cathode separator plate may be respectively supplied as a single from a stack of anode separator plates and a stack of cathode separator plates, and may be manufactured as an integrated separator plates by a welding bonding process or a gasket bonding process. 
     As described above, the conventional processes may be performed individually and intermittently, it may take time to perform a subsequent process, manpower should be input for each of the processes for performing the processes, and an overall manufacturing process may become complicated. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     The present disclosure has been devised to solve the above problems, and the problem to be solved in the present disclosure is to provide equipment for manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell and a method of manufacturing the same, in which processes are continuously carried out in an in-line manner, without individually and intermittently in manufacturing the separator plate. 
     However, the object of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and even if not explicitly mentioned, the object or effect that may be grasped from the solutions or embodiments of the problems, described below, will be included therein. 
     Technical Solution 
     Equipment for manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, includes a first uncoiler uncoiling a first metal strip; a second uncoiler uncoiling a second metal strip; a press receiving the first metal strip and the second metal strip to respectively form patterns thereon; a welding machine overlapping and integrally bonding the first metal strip and the second metal strip, transferred from the press, by a welding process; and a cutter cutting a bonded body of the first metal strip and the second metal strip, transferred from the welding machine, wherein the press, the welding machine, and the cutter are sequentially arranged, and the first metal strip and the second metal strip are passed through the press, the welding machine, and the cutter, while connected to each other, to be processed. 
     The press may further form a first alignment hole and a second alignment hole in the first metal strip and the second metal strip, respectively, wherein the first metal strip and the second metal strip, transferred from the press, may overlap in a state in which the first alignment hole and the second alignment hole correspond to each other, to align the patterns to face each other. 
     The press may include a first mold, a second mold disposed below the first mold, a first punch disposed between the first mold and the second mold to face the first mold, and a second punch disposed between the first mold and the second mold to face the second mold, wherein the first punch and the second punch may be configured to be integrally connected and reciprocate integrally between the first mold and the second mold. 
     The press may include a first press including a first mold and a first punch, and a second press disposed below the first press and including a second mold and a second punch, wherein the first press and the second press are driven individually. 
     The equipment may further include a coil joiner disposed between the first and second uncoilers and the press, wherein the coil joiner may connect a rear end portion of one first metal strip uncoiled from the first uncoiler and a front end portion of the other first metal strip mounted on the first uncoiler to have a coil shape, and may connect a rear end portion of one second metal strip uncoiled from the second uncoiler and a front end portion of the other second metal strip mounted on the second uncoiler to have a coil shape. 
     The equipment may further include an inspection machine disposed between the press and the welding machine, wherein the inspection machine may perform inspection on the patterns of the first metal strip and the second metal strip, transferred from the press to the welding machine. 
     The equipment may further include a plurality of guide rolls disposed in at least one of a front position or a rear position of the press, to pass the first metal strip through the press in a position spaced apart from the second metal strip in a vertical direction and supply the first metal strip to the welding machine, to guide the first metal strip. 
     A method of manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, includes a forming operation of arranging a first metal strip uncoiled and transferred from a first uncoiler and a second metal strip uncoiled and transferred from a second uncoiler side by side in a vertical direction, and forming an anode separator plate pattern on the first metal strip and forming a cathode separator plate pattern on the second metal strip by processing; a bonding operation of overlapping the first metal strip and the second metal strip, transferred after the forming operation, and welding the anode separator plate pattern and the cathode separator plate pattern, aligned to face each other, to be integrally bonded; and a cutting operation of cutting a bonded body of the first metal strip and the second metal strip, transferred after the bonding operation, to separate the first metal strip and the second metal strip, wherein the first metal strip and the second metal strip may be processed by sequentially performing the forming operation, the bonding operation, and the cutting operation in an in-line manner. 
     The forming operation may further include forming a first alignment hole in the first metal strip and forming a second alignment hole in the second metal strip, wherein in the bonding operation, the first metal strip and the second metal strip may overlap in a state in which the first alignment hole and the second alignment hole correspond to each other, to align the anode separator plate pattern and the cathode separator plate pattern. 
     The method may further include a connection operation of connecting a rear end portion of one first metal strip uncoiled from the first uncoiler and a front end portion of the other first metal strip mounted on the first uncoiler to have a coil shape, and connecting a rear end portion of one second metal strip uncoiled from the second uncoiler and a front end portion of the other second metal strip mounted on the second uncoiler to have a coil shape. 
     The method may further include an inspection operation of inspecting the anode separator plate pattern and the cathode separator plate pattern in the first metal strip and the second metal strip, transferred after the forming operation. 
     The method may further include an attachment operation of attaching a metal sheet having a mesh shape to a surface of at least one of the first metal strip or the second metal strip, after the bonding operation. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, equipment for manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell and a method of manufacturing the same, in which processes are continuously carried out in an in-line manner, without individually and intermittently in manufacturing the separator plate, may be provided. 
     Various advantages and effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above, and will be more easily understood in the process of describing specific embodiments of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating equipment for manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 2( a ) to 2( c )  are schematic views illustrating portions ‘A,’ ‘B,’ and ‘C’ in  FIG. 1 , respectively. 
         FIGS. 3( a ) and 3( b )  are schematic views illustrating an example of an operation of a press in the equipment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 4( a ) and 4( b )  are schematic views illustrating another example of an operation of a press in the equipment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view illustrating equipment for manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
       
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 *DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS * 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 1, 2 
                 EQUIPMENT OF MANUFACTURING 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 A SEPARATOR PLATE FOR A FUEL CELL 
               
               
                 10 
                 FISRT UNCOILER 
               
               
                 20 
                 SECOND UNCOILER 
                 30, 30′, 30″ 
                 PRESS 
               
               
                 31 
                 FIRST MOLD 
                 32 
                 SECONC MOLD 
               
               
                 33 
                 FISRT PUNCH 
                 34 
                 SECOND PUNCH 
               
               
                 35 
                 GUIDE ROD 
                 36 
                 UPPER FRAME 
               
               
                 37 
                 BOTTOM FRAME 
                 38 
                 MIDDLE FRAME 
               
               
                 40 
                 WELDING MACHINE 
                 50 
                 CUTTER 
               
               
                 60 
                 INSPECTION MACHINE 
                 70 
                 COIL JOINER 
               
               
                 80 
                 GUIDE ROLL 
                 90 
                 PINCH ROLL 
               
               
                 M1 
                 FIRST METAL STRIP 
                 M2 
                 SECOND METAL STRIP 
               
               
                 AP 
                 ANODE SEPARATOR PLATE PATTERN 
               
               
                 CP 
                 CATHODE SEPARATOR PLATE PATTERN 
               
               
                 H1 
                 FIRST ALIGNMENT HOLE 
                 H2 
                 SECOND ALIGNMENT HOLE 
               
               
                 SP 
                 SEPARATOR PLATE 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     BEST MODE FOR INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, example embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings such that those of ordinary skill in the art may easily implement the present disclosure. However, in describing a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure in detail, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the same reference numerals may be used throughout the drawings with respect to components having similar functions and operations. In addition, in this specification, terms such as ‘on or above,’ ‘upper,’ ‘upper surface,’ ‘below,’ ‘lower,’ ‘lower surface,’ and the like are based on the drawings, and in fact, elements or components may vary depending on a direction in which they are placed. 
     In addition, throughout the specification, when a portion may be described to be ‘connected’ with another portion, this may refer to not only ‘directly connected’, but also ‘indirectly connected’ with another element interposed therebetween. In addition, “including” a certain component may refer that other components are not excluded, other components may be further included, unless otherwise stated. 
     Equipment for manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 .  FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating equipment for manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,  FIGS. 2( a ) to 2( c )  are schematic views illustrating portions ‘A,’ ‘B,’ and ‘C’ in  FIG. 1 , respectively,  FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B)  are schematic views illustrating an example of an operation of a press in the equipment of  FIG. 1 , and  FIGS. 4 ( a )  and  4  ( b ) are schematic views illustrating another example of an operation of a press in the equipment of  FIG. 1 , respectively. 
     Referring to the drawings, equipment  1  for manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, may include a first uncoiler  10 , a second uncoiler  20 , a press  30 , a welding machine  40 , and a cutter  50 . 
     In an embodiment, the press  30 , the welding machine  40 , and the cutter  50  may be sequentially arranged, and a first metal strip M 1  and a second metal strip M 2 , respectively transferred from the first uncoiler  10  and the second uncoiler  20 , may be sequentially passed through the press  30 , the welding machine  40 , and the cutter  50 , while connected to each other, to be processed. 
     The first uncoiler  10  may uncoil and transfer the first metal strip M 1  coiled and mounted to have a coil shape. In addition, the second uncoiler  20  may uncoil and transfer the second metal strip M 2  coiled and mounted to have a coil shape. 
     The press  30  may respectively form patterns on the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  by processing. In an embodiment, an anode plate pattern AP and a first alignment hole H 1  may be formed in the first metal strip M 1 , and a cathode plate pattern CP and a second alignment hole H 2  may be formed in the second metal strip M 2 . 
     The first metal strip M 1  on which the anode plate pattern AP is formed may constitute an anode plate of a separator plate SP, and the second metal strip M 2  on which the cathode plate pattern CP is formed may constitute a cathode plate of a separator plate SP. 
     The press  30  may arrange the first metal strip M 1  supplied from the first uncoiler  10  and the second metal strip M 2  supplied from the second uncoiler  20 , side by side, to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval. In an embodiment, the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  may be arranged to be side to side with each other in an upper portion and a lower portion of the press  30 , respectively. According to an embodiment, alternatively, the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  may be arranged to be side to side with each other in the lower portion and the upper portion of the press  30 , respectively. 
     In an embodiment, the anode plate pattern AP may include an anode channel and a manifold, and the cathode plate pattern CP may include a cathode channel and a manifold. In addition, the first alignment hole H 1  and the second alignment hole H 2  may be formed adjacent to an edge of the first metal strip M 1  and an edge of the second metal strip M 2 , respectively, in a longitudinal direction. 
     Referring to the drawings, the press  30  may include a first mold  31 , a second mold  32  disposed below the first mold  31 , a first punch  33  disposed between the first mold  31  and the second mold  32  to face the first mold  31 , and a second punch  34  disposed between the first mold  31  and the second mold  32  to face the second mold  32 . The first punch  33  and the second punch  34  may be configured to integrally connect each other, to vertically reciprocate between the first mold  31  and the second molds  32 , along a guide rod  35  connecting the first mold  31  and the second mold  32   
     In an embodiment, the first metal strip M 1  may be supplied between the first mold  31  and the first punch  33 , and the second metal strip M 2  may be supplied between the second mold  32  and the second punch  34 . Then, as the first punch  33  and the second punch  34  reciprocate between the first mold  31  and the second mold  32  in a vertical direction, the first punch  33  may alternately press the first metal strip M 1  between the first punch  33  and the first mold  31  to form the anode plate pattern AP and the first alignment hole H 1 , and the second punch  34  may alternately press the second metal strip M 2  to form the cathode plate pattern CP and the second alignment hole H 2 . 
     In this embodiment, although it is illustrated that the anode plate pattern AP is formed on the first metal strip M 1  and the cathode plate pattern CP is formed on the second metal strip M 2 , the cathode plate pattern CP may be formed on the first metal strip M 1  and the anode plate pattern AP may be formed on the second metal strip M 2 . 
       FIGS. 4( a ) and 4( b )  are schematic views illustrating another example of an operation of a press in the equipment of  FIG. 1 , respectively. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 ( a ) , a press  30 ′ may include a first press  30   a  and a second press  30   b  disposed below the first press  30   a . The first press  30   a  may include a first mold  31  and a first punch  33 , and the second press  30   b  may include a second mold  32  and a second punch  34 . 
     The first press  30   a  and the second press  30   b  may be individually driven to form an anode plate pattern AP and a first alignment hole H 1  in a first metal strip M 1 , and a cathode plate pattern CP and a second alignment hole H 2  in a second metal strip M 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 ( b ) , a press  30 ″ may include an upper frame  36 , a lower frame  37  disposed below the upper frame  36 , and an intermediate frame  38  disposed between the upper frame  36  and the lower frame  37 . The intermediate frame  38  may be supported and fixed on the lower frame  37 , and the upper frame  36  may be supported and fixed on the intermediate frame  38 , by a plurality of guide rod  35 . 
     A first mold  31  may be provided on an upper surface of the fixed intermediate frame  38 , and a second mold  32  may be provided on an upper surface of the lower frame  37 . A first punch  33  may be provided between the upper frame  36  and the first mold  31  to face the first mold  31 , and a second punch  34  may be provided between the intermediate frame  38  and the second mold  32  to face the second mold  32 . The first punch  33  and the second punch  34  may be configured to be individually driven to vertically reciprocate along the guide rod  35 , respectively. 
     Referring to the drawings, a plurality of guide rolls  80  may be disposed on at least one of a front position or a rear position of the press  30 . The guide roll  80  may pass the first metal strip M 1  through the press  30  in a position spaced apart from the second metal strip M 2  in a vertical direction and may supply the first metal strip M 1  to the welding machine  40 , to guide the first metal strip M 1 . 
     The welding machine  40  may be disposed adjacent to the press  30 , and may integrally bond the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , passed through the press  30 . For example, the welding machine  40  may include a laser welding machine, and may weld the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  by a high-speed scan welding process. 
     The welding machine  40  may overlap, weld, and bond integrally the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , in a state in which the anode plate pattern AP and the cathode plate pattern CP are aligned to face each other. In an embodiment, the anode plate pattern AP and the cathode plate pattern CP may be vertically aligned, and may be also aligned in a reverse order. 
     In welding and bonding the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , it may be important that the anode plate pattern AP and the cathode plate pattern CP are accurately aligned in positions corresponding to each other. Since this alignment is directly related to quality of the separator plate SP, it needs to be done in an automatic manner using an apparatus. 
     The first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , separated and transferred separately in this embodiment, may overlap the first alignment hole H 1  and the second alignment hole H 2 , respectively, in a state in which they correspond to each other, to align the anode plate pattern AP and the cathode plate pattern CP. In this case, it may be configured that, whether the first alignment hole H 1  and the second alignment hole H 2  correspond to each other is checked, for example, by reading an image captured using a camera (not illustrated) to automatically check whether the first alignment hole H 1  and the second alignment hole H 2  correspond to each other. 
     According to an embodiment, a metal sheet (not illustrated) having a mesh shape may be further attached to a surface of at least one of the first metal strip M 1  or the second metal strip M 2 . The metal sheet having a mesh shape may be attached by welding, and may constitute a flow path, together with the anode plate pattern AP or the cathode plate pattern CP. 
     The cutter  50  may be disposed adjacent to the welding machine  40 , and may cut a bonded body of the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , transferred through the welding machine  40 . For example, the cutter  50  may include a cutting press. 
     The cutter  50  may cut the bonded body of the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , bonded by welding, to separate the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 . Through this, a separator plate SP for a fuel cell in which an anode plate and a cathode plate are bonded may be manufactured by welding. 
     The separator plate SP for a fuel cell, manufactured in this manner, may be packaged and shipped by a loading apparatus, after performing a finishing process such as scrap processing or the like and then performing an external inspection process, an air tightness inspection process, or the like, to be confirmed as a final product. 
     In an embodiment, pinch rolls  90  may be disposed on a front position and a rear position of the cutter  50 , and may guide to pass the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  respectively uncoiled through the press  30 , the welding machine  40 , and the cutter  50 , and to be transferred. 
     As described above, according to the equipment  1  for manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell, the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , uncoiled and transferred from the first uncoiler  10  and the second uncoiler  20 , respectively, may be processed while sequentially passing through the press  30 , the welding machine  40 , and the cutter  50  in an in-line manner, to continuously manufacture the fuel cell separator plate SP at high speed. For example, a metal strip coiled in a coil shape may be sequentially processed in a process of being transferred integrally by apparatuses arranged in a line as the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  are uncoiled, and may be then separated from the metal strip to complete the separator plate SP for a fuel cell, and a cycle time period for manufacturing the separator plate SP for a fuel cell may be reduced. Therefore, effects of significantly shortening a process time period as well as improving production capacity may be provided, as compared to a case in which a separator plate is manufactured by intermittently performing conventional processes. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic view illustrating equipment for manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to the drawings, equipment  2  for manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, may further include an inspection machine  60 . 
     The inspection machine  60  may be disposed between a press  30  and a welding machine  40 . The inspection machine  60  may perform inspection on an anode plate pattern AP and a first alignment hole H 1  and inspection on a cathode plate pattern CP and a second alignment hole H 2  in a first metal strip M 1  and a second metal strip M 2 , respectively, transferred from the press  30  to the welding machine  40 . 
     For example, the inspection machine  60  checks whether the anode plate pattern AP and the cathode plate pattern CP is abnormal, whether the first alignment hole H 1  and the second alignment hole H 2  are abnormal, whether breakage (crack) occurs, or the like by a three-dimensional vision inspection. 
     Referring to the drawings, equipment  2  for manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, may further include a coil joiner  70 . 
     The coil joiner  70  may be disposed between first and second uncoilers  10  and  20  and the press  30 . 
     The coil joiner  70  may connect a rear end portion of one first metal strip M 1  uncoiled from the first uncoiler  10  and a front end portion of the other first metal strip M 1  mounted on the first uncoiler  10  to have a coil shape, and may connect a rear end portion of one second metal strip M 2  uncoiled from the second uncoiler  20  and a front end portion of the other second metal strip M 2  mounted on the second uncoiler  20  to have a coil shape. Therefore, the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  may be continuously and consecutively supplied without interruption. 
     A method of manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, will be described with reference to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     First, a method of manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell may be started by uncoiling and transferring a first metal strip M 1  from a first uncoiler  10 , and uncoiling and transferring a second metal strip M 2  from a second uncoiler  20  (S 1 ). 
     Next, the first metal strip M 1  uncoiled and transferred from the first uncoiler  10  and the second metal strip M 2  uncoiled and transferred from the second uncoiler  20  may be arranged side by side in a vertical direction, and an anode plate pattern AP may be formed on the first metal strip M 1  and a cathode plate pattern CP may be formed on the second metal strip M 2 , by processing in a press  30  (a forming operation, S 2 ). 
     A first alignment hole H 1  may be formed in the first metal strip M 1  together with the anode plate pattern AP, and a second alignment hole H 2  may be formed in the second metal strip M 2  together with the cathode plate pattern CP. 
     Next, the anode plate pattern AP and the cathode plate pattern CP may be inspected in the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , transferred after the forming operation (an inspection operation, S 3 ). According to an embodiment, inspection of the first alignment hole H 1  and inspection of the second alignment hole H 2  may also be performed together. 
     The inspection may be to check whether there is an abnormality in appearance, location, or breakage (crack) of a pattern, or the like, and may be performed by, for example, reading a captured image using a camera. 
     Next, the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , transferred, may overlap each other and may weld the anode plate pattern AP and the cathode plate pattern CP, aligned to face each other, to be integrally bonded (a bonding operation, S 4 ). 
     In this case, the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  may overlap each other in a state in which the first alignment hole H 1  and the second alignment hole H 2  correspond to each other, to align the anode plate pattern AP and the cathode plate pattern CP. 
     According to an embodiment, after the bonding operation, an operation of attaching a metal sheet having a mesh shape to a surface of at least one of the first metal strip M 1  or the second metal strip M 2  may be further performed (an attachment operation, S 5 ). The metal sheet may be attached by welding, and may constitute a flow path, together with the anode plate pattern AP or the cathode plate pattern CP. 
     Next, the bonded body of the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , transferred after the bonding operation, may be cut and separated from the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  (a cutting operation, S 6 ). Through this, a separator plate SP for a fuel cell in which an anode plate and a cathode plate are bonded may be manufactured by welding. 
     The separator plate SP for a fuel cell, manufactured in this manner, may be packaged and shipped by a loading apparatus as a final product, after performing a finishing process such as scrap processing or the like and performing an external inspection process, an air tightness inspection process, or the like. 
     When the first metal strip and the second metal strip are exhausted as the process progresses, new first and second metal strips may be mounted on the first and second uncoilers having no strip, respectively, and the coil joiner may be used to connect a rear end portion of one first metal strip uncoiled from the first uncoiler and a front end portion of new first metal strip mounted on the first uncoiler to have a coil shape, and connect a rear end portion of one second metal strip uncoiled from the second uncoiler and a front end portion of new second metal strip mounted on the second uncoiler to have a coil shape (a connection operation, S 7 ). 
     Therefore, the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  may be continuously and consecutively supplied without interruption. 
     While example embodiments have been illustrated and described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations could be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.