Patent Publication Number: US-2022219222-A1

Title: Equipment and method for manufacturing separator for fuel cell

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to equipment and a method for manufacturing a separator PLATE for a fuel cell. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Fuel cells generate electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, and have a structure in which a separator plate is disposed on both sides of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). Such fuel cells are connected to a plurality of unit cells in series to form a fuel cell stack. 
     The separator plate for fuel cells is comprised of an anode separator plate for supplying fuel gas (hydrogen gas) to the membrane electrode assembly with the membrane electrode assembly interposed therebetween, and a cathode separator plate for supplying oxidizing gas (air) to the membrane electrode assembly, and has a structure in which the anode separator plate and the cathode separator plate are integrated through welding joining (welding type joining) or gasket bonding (gasket type joining). 
     Conventionally, in manufacturing a separator plate, a material constituting the anode separator plate and a material constituting the cathode separator plate are cut in a form of a plate, respectively, and supplied separately, a stamping process and a molding inspection process are performed for each material individually, and then the anode separator plate and the cathode separator plate are manufactured as products. The anode separator plate and the cathode separator plate, each manufactured as individual products, are conveyed in a loaded state, respectively, and an anode separator plate and a cathode separator plate are supplied one by one, respectively, from a laminate of the anode separator plate and the cathode separator plate, and an integrated separator plate is manufactured through a welding joining or gasket joining process. 
     As described above, in the prior art, each process is performed individually and intermittently, conveying for a subsequent process may consume time, and there may be a problem in that manpower must be input for each process, and an entire manufacturing process is complicated. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide equipment for manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell in which a process is continuously performed in an in-line manner rather than being performed intermittently and individually, and a method for manufacturing the same. 
     However, the object of the present disclosure is not limited to the object described above, and other objects which are not described above may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. 
     Technical Solution 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, equipment for manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell, includes: a press receiving a conveyed first metal strip and a second metal strip that are unwound from a first uncoiler and a second uncoiler, respectively, vertically arranging the metal strips side by side, and forming patterns on each of the first metal strip and the second metal strip; a welding machine which is disposed adjacent to the press, overlaps the first metal strip and the second metal strip conveyed from the press, and integrally joins the metal strips by welding the same in a state in which the patterns are aligned face-to-face with each other; and a plurality of guide rolls which are arranged in front of and behind the press and guide the first metal strip so that the first metal strip is supplied to the welding machine at an overlapping position with the second metal strip after passing through the press at a position spaced apart from the second metal strip vertically, wherein the pattern may include a first alignment hole, one among a cathode separator plate pattern and an anode separator plate pattern, and a trimming hole, which are formed in the first metal strip, a second alignment hole, the other among the cathode separator plate pattern and the anode separator plate pattern and a trimming hole, which are formed in the second alignment hole. 
     The press may include a lower bead having a lower mold on an upper surface; an upper bed disposed above the lower bed, and having an upper mold on a lower surface facing the lower bed; a plurality of guide rods disposed between the lower bed and the upper bed to connect the lower bed and the upper bed; and a slide having a lower punch on a lower surface facing the lower mold, an upper punch on an upper surface facing the upper mold, and reciprocating between the lower bed and the upper bed along the plurality of guide rods. 
     The upper mold may include a first upper mold for forming one among the cathode separator plate pattern and the anode separator plate pattern, and the first alignment hole in the first metal strip, and a second upper mold for forming the trimming hole in the first metal strip conveyed while passing through the first upper mold, and the lower mold may include a first lower mold for forming the other among the cathode separator plate pattern and the anode separator plate pattern, and the second alignment hole in the second metal strip, and a second lower mold forming the trimming hole in the second metal strip conveyed while passing through the first lower mold. 
     The first upper mold may include a 1-1 upper mold for forming the first alignment hole, and a 1-2 upper mold for forming one among the cathode separator plate pattern and the anode separator plate pattern, and the first lower mold may include a 1-1 lower mold for forming the second alignment hole, and a 1-2 lower mold for forming the other among the cathode separator plate pattern and the anode separator plate pattern. 
     The first upper mold and the first lower mold may form the plurality of first alignment holes and the plurality of second alignment holes, respectively, to be arranged in a longitudinal direction at edges of the first metal strip and the second metal strip in a width direction, and form the anode separator plate pattern and the cathode separator plate pattern in a center of the first metal strip and the second metal strip in a width direction, and the second upper mold and the second lower mold may form the trimming hole around the anode separator plate pattern and the cathode separator plate pattern, respectively, the trimming hole being provided in a slip shape, partially cut along outer edges of the anode separator plate pattern and the cathode separator plate pattern. 
     The upper mold and the lower mold may further include an upper-idle mold and a lower-idle mold, not forming the pattern in the first metal strip and the second metal strip, respectively. 
     Based on a conveyance direction of the first metal strip and the second metal strip, in the upper mold, the upper-idle mold, the first upper mold, and the second upper mold are sequentially disposed, and in the lower mold, the first lower mold, the second lower mold, and the lower-idle mold are sequentially disposed. The second upper mold and the second lower mold may have a dispositional structure in which they do not correspond to each other in a vertical direction, but are displaced from each other so that a distance by which the first metal strip is conveyed from a rear end of the second upper mold to the welding machine is equal to a distance by which the second metal strip is conveyed from a rear end of the second lower mold to the welding machine. 
     A cutter, disposed adjacent to the welding machine, and cutting a pair of connection portions for maintaining a connection of a portion on which the anode separator plate pattern is formed and a portion on which the cathode separator plate pattern is formed, that is not cut by the trimming hole and is surrounded by the trimming hole with the first metal strip and the second metal strip, respectively, may be further included. 
     A method of manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell includes: a forming operation of vertically arranging a first metal strip and a second metal strip conveyed through a pinch roll side by side, and forming patterns on each of the first metal strip and the second metal strip; and a joining operation of overlapping the first metal strip and the second metal strip conveyed from the forming operation, and integrally joining the metal strips by welding the same in a state in which the patterns are aligned face-to face with each other, wherein the pattern may include a first alignment hole, one among a cathode separator plate pattern and an anode separator plate pattern, and a trimming hole, which are formed in the first metal strip, and a second alignment hole, the other among the cathode separator plate pattern and the anode separator plate pattern, and a trimming hole. 
     The forming operation may include: a first operation of forming the first alignment hole in the first metal strip, and forming the second alignment hole in the second metal strip; a second operation of forming one among the first cathode separator plate pattern and the anode separator plate pattern in the first metal trip, and forming the other among the cathode separator plate pattern and the anode separator plate pattern in the second metal strip; and a third operation of forming a trimming hole along outer edges of one among the anode separator plate patterns in the first metal strip, and forming a trimming hole along outer edges of the other among the cathode separator plate pattern and the anode separator plate pattern in the second metal strip, conveyed after the second operation. The trimming hole is provided in a slit shape partially cut along the outer edges the anode separator plate pattern and the cathode separator plate pattern, and the portion on which the anode separator plate pattern is formed and the portion on which the cathode separator plate pattern are formed, surrounded by the trimming hole in the first metal strip and the second metal strip may maintain a connection with the first metal strip and the second metal strip through a pair of connection portions that are not cut by the trimming hole. 
     The second operation may be performed after the first operation, or may be simultaneously with the first operation. 
     A cutting operation may be further included. In the cutting operation, a joined body of the portion on which the anode separator plate pattern welded by cutting the connection portion from the first metal strip and the second metal strip conveyed after the joining operation, and the portion on which the cathode separator plate pattern is formed is separated from the first metal strip and the second metal strip. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     As set forth above, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, equipment for manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell in which a process is continuously performed in an inline manner without performing a process individually and intermittently, and a method of manufacturing the same. 
     Various and advantageous advantages and effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above, and will be more easily understood in the course of describing specific embodiments of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating equipment for manufacturing a separator for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating parts ‘A,’ ‘B,’ and ‘C’ in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view illustrating a first metal strip and a second metal strip conveyed from a press to a welding machine in the manufacturing facility of the separator for a fuel cell of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view illustrating a press in the equipment for manufacturing the separator for a fuel cell of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are schematic diagrams illustrating an operation of the press of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view illustrating a modified example of the press. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the first and second metal strips are conveyed along a conveyance direction and processed sequentially. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
       
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 * DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS* 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 EQUIPMENT OF 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 MANUFACTURING A 
               
               
                   
                 SEPARATOR FOR A 
               
               
                   
                 FUEL CELL 
               
               
                 10 
                 FIRST UNCOILER 
               
               
                 20 
                 SECOND UNCOILER 
                 30 
                 PRESS 
               
               
                 31 
                 UPPER MOLD 
                 32 
                 LOWER MOLD 
               
               
                 33 
                 UPPER PUNCH 
                 34 
                 LOWER PUNCH 
               
               
                 35 
                 GUIDE ROD 
                 36 
                 UPPER BED 
               
               
                 37 
                 LOWER BED 
                 38 
                 SLIDE 
               
               
                 40 
                 WELDING MACHINE 
                 50 
                 CUTTER 
               
               
                 80 
                 GUIDE ROLL 
                 90 
                 PINCH ROLL 
               
               
                 M1 
                 FIRST METAL STRIP 
                 M2 
                 SECOND METAL STRIP 
               
               
                 AP 
                 ANODE SEPARATOR 
                 CP 
                 CATHODE SEPARATOR 
               
               
                   
                 PLATE PATTERN 
                   
                 PLATE PATTERN 
               
               
                 H1 
                 FIRST ALIGNMENT 
                 H2 
                 SECOND ALIGNMENT 
               
               
                   
                 HOLE 
                   
                 HOLE 
               
               
                 HT 
                 TRIMMING HOLE 
                 ND 
                 CONNECTION PORTION 
               
               
                 SP 
                 SEPARATOR PLATE 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     MODE FOR INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, be exemplified in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the shapes and dimensions of elements may be exaggerated for clarity. 
     Throughout the specification, it will be understood that when an element, such as a layer, region or wafer (substrate), is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element, it can be directly “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” the other element or other elements intervening therebetween may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element, there may be no elements or layers intervening therebetween. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     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 7 . 
     Referring to the drawings, equipment for manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell  1  for a separator plate for fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a press  30 , a welding machine  40 , and a guide roll  80 , and may further include a cutter  50 . 
     In an embodiment, the press  30 , the welding machine  40 , and the cutter  50  may be sequentially disposed adjacent to each other, and may be processed sequentially while passing through the press  30 , the welding machine  40 , and the cutter  50  in a state in which the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  are connected conveyed from the first uncoiler  10  and the second uncoiler  20 , respectively. The guide roll  80  may guide conveyance of a first metal strip M 1  and a second metal strip M 2 . 
     The first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  may be wound in a coil shape and mounted on the first uncoiler  10  and the second uncoiler  20 , respectively, and may be conveyed through the pinch roll  90  while being unwound. 
     The press  30  may form a pattern in each of the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  through processing. In an embodiment, the anode separator plate pattern AP, the first alignment hole H 1 , and the trimming hole HT are alternately formed in the first metal strip M 1  through reciprocal driving in a vertical direction, and the cathode separator plate pattern CP, the second alignment hole H 2 , and the trimming hole HT may be formed in the second metal strip M 2 . 
     The portion of the first metal strip M 1 , on which the anode separator plate pattern AP is formed may constitute an anode separator plate of the separator plate SP later, and the portion of the second metal strip M 2 , on which the cathode separator plate pattern CP is formed may constitute a cathode separator plate of the separator plate SP later. In an embodiment, the anode separator plate pattern AP may include an anode channel and a manifold, and the cathode separator plate pattern CP may include a cathode channel and a manifold. 
     The press  30  may be vertically disposed side by side in a state in which a first metal strip M 1  unwound from the first uncoiler  10  and conveyed and a second metal strip M 2  unwound from the second uncoiler  20  and conveyed are spaced apart at regular intervals. In an embodiment, the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  may be disposed side by side in upper and lower portions of the press  30 , respectively. According to an embodiment, on the contrary, the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  may also be disposed side by side in lower and upper portions of the press  30 , respectively. 
     Referring to the drawings, the press  30  may include a lower bed  37 , an upper bed  36 , a guide rod  35 , and a slide  38 . The lower bed  37  may be provided with a lower mold  32  on an upper surface thereof. The upper bed  36  may be disposed above the lower bed  37 , and may include an upper mold  31  on a lower surface facing the lower bed  37 . The guide rod  35  may be provided in plural, and may be disposed between the lower bed  37  and the upper bed  36  to connect the lower bed  37  and the upper bed  36 . The slide  38  may be disposed between the lower bed  37  and the upper bed  36 , have a lower punch  34  on a lower surface facing the lower mold  32 , and an upper punch  33  on an upper surface facing the upper mold  31 , and may be configured to vertically reciprocate between the lower bed  37  and the upper bed  36  along the plurality of guide rods  35 . In an embodiment, a servo motor may be used as a power source for driving the slide  38 , but an embodiment thereof is not limited thereto. In addition, the slide  38  may be configured as a double-acting type. 
     In an embodiment, a first metal strip M 1  may be supplied between the upper mold  31  and the upper punch  33 , and a second metal strip M 2  may be supplied between the lower mold  32  and the lower punch  34 . As the upper punch  33  and the lower punch  34  reciprocate in a vertical direction between the upper mold  31  and the lower mold  32 , the upper punch  33  may alternately press the first metal strip M 1  between the upper punch  33  and the upper mold  31  to form an anode separator plate pattern AP and a first alignment hole H 1  and a trimming hole HT, and the lower punch  34  may press the second metal strip M 2  between the lower punch  34  and the lower mold  32  to form a cathode separator plate pattern CP and a second alignment hole H 2  and a trimming hole HT. 
     In the present embodiment, it is illustrated that the anode separator plate pattern AP is formed in the first metal strip M 1  and the cathode separator plate pattern CP is formed in the second metal strip M 2 , but on the contrary, the cathode separator plate pattern CP may be formed in the first metal strip M 1 , and the anode separator plate pattern AP may be formed in the second metal strip M 2 . 
     In an embodiment, based on a conveyance direction of the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , the lower bed  37  and the upper bed  36  may be divided into at least three regions including a first region R 1 , a second region R 2 , and a third region R 3 , respectively. According to an embodiment, the lower bed  37  and the upper bed  36  may also be divided into three or more regions. 
     The lower mold  32  may include a first lower mold  32   a  and a second lower mold  32   b , and may further include a lower-idle mold  32   c . The upper mold  31  may include a first upper mold  31   a  and a second upper mold  31   b , and may further include an upper-idle mold  31   c.    
     Based on a conveyance direction of the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , in the lower mold  32 , a first lower mold  32   a , a second lower mold  32   b , and a lower-idle mold  32   c  may be sequentially disposed, and in the upper mold  31 , an upper-idle mold  31   c , a first upper mold  31   a , and a second upper mold  31   b  may be sequentially disposed. 
     The first lower mold  32   a  may be disposed in the first region R 1  to form a second alignment hole H 2  and a cathode separator plate pattern CP in the second metal strip M 2 , the second lower mold  32   b  may be disposed in the second region R 2  to from a trimming hole HT in the second metal strip M 2  conveyed while passing through the first lower mold  32   a , and the lower-idle mold  32   c  may be disposed in the third region R 3  and pass through the second metal strip M 2  conveyed while passing through the second lower mold  32   b  without forming a pattern. 
     The upper-idle mold  31   c  may be disposed in the first region R 1  to not form a pattern in the first metal strip M 1 , the upper mold  31   a  may be disposed in the second region R 2  to form a first alignment hole H 1  and an anode separator plate pattern AP in the first metal strip M 1  conveyed while passing through the upper-idle mold  31   c , and the second upper mold  31   b  may be disposed in the third region R 3  to form a trimming hole HT in the first metal strip M 1  conveyed while passing through the first upper mold  31   a.    
     Accordingly, the first lower mold  32   a  and the first upper mold  31   a  and the second lower mold  32   b  and the second upper mold  31   b  may have a dispositional structure that they do not correspond to each other in a vertical direction and is displaced from each other so that a distance d 3  by which the second metal strip M 2  is conveyed from a rear end of the second lower end  32   b  to the welding machine  40  is equal to a distance (d 1 +d 2 ) by which the metal strip M 1  is conveyed from the rear end of the second upper mold  31   b  to the welding machine  40 . 
     As described above, in forming a pattern alternately in the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  through reciprocal driving in a vertical direction, the press  30  may have a structure of a mold that is displaced from each other by one region R, such that the positions at which a pattern is formed between the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  may be different from each other. In the present embodiment, it is illustrated as having a dispositional structure displaced by one region R, but it is limited thereto, and it is also possible to adjust to be displaced by two or more regions or half regions according to a difference in distance. 
     As described above, the first upper mold  31   a , the first lower mold  32   a , and the second upper mold  31   b  and the second lower mold  32   b  have an dispositional structure that is vertically displaced from each other, so that a position at which the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  may be different from each other. Unlike the second metal strip M 2  that is conveyed relatively horizontally, as the first metal strip M 1  disposed above the second metal strip M 2  is conveyed obliquely downward by the guide roll  80  so that it overlaps on the second metal strip M 2  for welding, since the moving distance is longer than that of the second metal strip M 2 , this is to compensate for the distance difference. This distance difference compensation may be implemented through the upper-idle mold  31   c  and the lower-idle mold  32   c.    
     Meanwhile, the lower mold  32  and the upper mold  31  may be provided on the upper surface of the lower bed  37  and the lower surface of the upper bed  36 , respectively, so that a position thereof may be adjusted according to the conveyance direction of the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 . Accordingly, it is possible to more accurately adjust the compensation for a difference in distance. The distance may be adjusted by changing sizes of the upper-idle mold  31   c  and the lower-idle mold  32   c.    
       FIG. 6  schematically shows a modified example of a press  30 ′. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the lower bed  37  and the upper bed  36  may be divided into at least four regions including a first region R 1 , a second region R 2 , a third region R 3 , and a third region R 4 , respectively. 
     In the upper mold  31 ,′ an upper-idle mold  31   c , a first upper mold  31   a  including a 1-1 upper mold  31   a - 1  and a 1-2 upper mold  31   a - 2  and a second upper mold  31   b  may be sequentially disposed. 
     In the lower mold  32 ,′ a first lower mold  32   a  including a 1-1 lower mold  32   a - 1  and a 1-2 lower mold  32   a - 2 , a second lower mold  32   b , and a lower-idle mold  32   c  may be sequentially disposed. 
     The 1-1 lower mold  32   a - 1  may form a second alignment hole H 2  in the second metal strip M 2  in the first region R 1 , the 1-2 lower mold  32   a - 2  may form a cathode separator plate pattern CP in the second metal strip M 2  conveyed while passing through the 1-1 lower mold  32   a - 1  in the second region R 2 , the second lower mold  32   b  may form a trimming hole HT in the second metal strip M 2  conveyed while passing through the 1-2 lower mold  32   a - 2  in the third region R 3 , and the lower-idle mold  32   c  may pass through the second metal strip M 2  conveyed while passing through the second lower mold  32   b  in the fourth region R 4  without forming a pattern. 
     The upper-idle mold  31   c  may be disposed in the first region R 1  to not form a pattern in the first metal strip M 1 , the 1-1 upper mold  31   a - 1  may be disposed in the second region R 2  and form a first alignment hole H 1  in the first metal strip M 1  conveyed while passing through the upper-idle mold  31   c , the 1-2 upper mold  31   a - 2  may be disposed in the third region R 3  and form an anode separator plate pattern AP in the first metal strip M 1  conveyed while passing through the 1-1 upper mold  31   a - 1 , and the second upper mold  31   b  may be disposed in the fourth region R 4  and form a trimming hole HT in the first metal strip M 1  conveyed while passing through the 1-2 upper mold  31   a - 2 . 
     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  respectively passing 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  through high-speed scan welding. 
     The welding machine  40  may overlap the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  conveyed from the press  30 , and integrally join the metal strips by welding the same in a state in which an anode separator plate pattern AP and a cathode separator plate pattern CP are aligned face-to-face with each other. In the anode separator plate pattern AP and the cathode separator plate pattern CP may be disposed to be vertically aligned. 
     In welding and joining the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , it is important that the anode separator plate pattern AP and the cathode separator plate pattern CP are accurately aligned at positions corresponding to each other. Since this alignment is directly related to the quality of the separator plate SP, it needs to be done in an automatic manner through the device. 
     In the present embodiment, the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  that are separated and conveyed separately overlap the first alignment hole H 1  and the second alignment hole H 2  in a state in which they correspond to each other, such that an anode separator plate pattern AP and a cathode separator plate pattern CP may be aligned. In this case, whether the first alignment hole H 1  and the second alignment hole H 2  correspond to each other, for example, by reading an image taken using a camera (not shown) may be configured to automatically check whether the holes correspond to each other. 
     According to an embodiment, a metal sheet (not shown) in a form of a mesh may be further attached to a surface of at least one of the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 . The mesh-shaped metal sheet may be attached through welding, and may constitute a flow path together with the anode separator plate pattern AP or the cathode separator plate pattern CP. 
     As described above, in a process of being conveyed while passing through the press  30  and the welding machine  40  through a pinch roll  90  in a state in which the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  are connected, the press may alternately form a pattern in the first metal strip M 1  and a pattern in the second metal strip M 2  through reciprocal driving in a vertical direction. In addition, the welding machine  40  may weld the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  in which the patterns are respectively formed and conveyed, and integrally join the same. 
     The cutter  50  may be disposed adjacent to the welding machine  40 , and may cut a joined body of the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  joined by welding, conveyed while passing through the welding machine  40 . For example, the cutter  50  may include a cutting press. 
     The cutter  50  may cut the joined body of the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  joined through welding to separate the same from the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 . Thereby, a separator plate (SP) for a fuel cell in which the anode separator plate and the cathode separator plate are joined by welding may be manufactured. 
     The separator SP for a fuel cell manufactured as described above may be packaged and shipped through a loading device only after a finishing process such as scrap process, or the like, is performed, and then external inspection and air tightness inspection are performed to be confirmed as a final product. 
       FIG. 7  schematically shows a state in which a first metal strip and a second metal strip are sequentially processed while being conveyed through a press, a welding machine, and a cutter. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7  together with  FIGS. 5A and 5B , in a process in which the first metal strip M 1  conveyed through the pinch roll  90  passes through the press  30 , nothing may be formed in a first region R 1  in which the upper-idle mold  31   c  is disposed, and when the first metal strip M 1  is conveyed to a second region R 2 , a first alignment hole H 1  and an anode separator plate pattern AP may be primarily formed by the first upper mold  31   a . In addition, when the first metal strip M 1  is conveyed to a third region R 3 , a trimming hole HT may be formed by the second upper mold  31   b.    
     Similarly, in a process in which the second metal strip M 2  conveyed through the pinch roll  90  passes through the press  30 , a second alignment hole H 2  and a cathode separator plate pattern CP may be primarily formed by the first lower mold  32   a  in the first region R 1 . Thereafter, when the second metal strip M 2  is conveyed to the second region R 2 , a trimming hole HT may be formed by the second lower mold  32   b . In addition, nothing may be formed and conveyed in the third region R 3  in which the lower-idle mold  32   c  is disposed. 
     That is, when the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  are simultaneously conveyed while passing through the press  30 , a second alignment hole H 2  and a cathode separator plate pattern CP may be formed in the second metal strip M 2  and nothing may be formed in the first metal strip M 1  in the first region R 1 . Next, when conveyed to the second region R 2 , a first alignment hole H 1  and an anode separator plate pattern AP may be formed in the first metal strip M 1 , and a trimming hole HT may be formed in the second metal strip M 2 . Next, when conveyed to the third region R 3 , a trimming hole HT may be formed in the first metal strip M 1 , and nothing may be formed in the second metal strip M 2 . 
     The plurality of first alignment holes H 1  and the second alignment holes H 2  may be arranged in a longitudinal direction at edges of the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  in a width direction. In addition, the anode separator plate pattern AP and the cathode separator plate pattern CP may be positioned in a center of the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  in a width direction, respectively. In addition, the trimming hole HT may be provided in a slit shape partially cut along the outer edges of the anode separator plate pattern AP and the cathode separator plate pattern CP. 
     The portion on which the anode separator plate pattern AP is formed and the portion on which the cathode separator plate pattern CP is formed, which is surrounded by the trimming hole HT, in the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , may maintain a connection with the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , respectively through a pair of connection portions ND, which is not cut by the trimming hole HT. In this case, the pair of connection portions NF may be respectively connected to the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , with a structure crossing the trimming hole HT on both sides of the portion on which the anode separator plate pattern AP is formed and the portion on which the cathode separator plate pattern CP is formed in a width direction. That is, the portion on which the anode separator plate pattern AP and the portion on which the cathode separator plate pattern CP is formed may maintain a state of being connected to the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  through the pair of connection portions ND extending in a width direction of the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , respectively. 
     Therefore, even if the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  are not horizontally conveyed in a flat state and are bent by the guide roll  80 , the portion on which the anode separator plate pattern AP is formed and the portion on which the cathode separator plate pattern CP is formed may maintain a flat state. 
     In addition, in alternately forming a pattern in the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , respectively, through the press  30  reciprocating in a vertical direction, by having a dispositional structure of a mold that is displaced from each other by one region, a position at which a pattern is formed between the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  may be different from each other. Since the moving distance when the first metal strip M 1  disposed on the second metal strip M 1  is overlapped above the second metal strip M 2  for welding is longer than that of the second metal strip M 2 , this is to compensate for the distance difference. Accordingly, the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  may overlap in a state in which the anode separator plate pattern AP and the cathode separator plate pattern CP are aligned to face each other. 
     Thereafter, the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  may be conveyed to the welding machine  40  and joined to each other through welding. The portion on which the anode separator plate pattern AP is formed and the portion on which the cathode separator plate pattern CP is formed through welding may overlap each other and be joined. 
     Thereafter, the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  may be conveyed to the cutter  50  and the connection portion ND may be cut, such that a joined body of the portion on which the anode separator plate pattern AP is formed, which are joined to each other may be separated from the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 . 
     The joined body of the portion on which the anode separator plate pattern AP is formed and the portion on which the cathode separator plate pattern CP is formed may be finished to complete the separator plate SP for a fuel cell. 
     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. 8 .  FIG. 8  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 first metal strip M 1  may be unwound from a first uncoiler  10 , and a second metal strip M 2  may be unwound from a second uncoiler  20 , and conveyed, through a pinch roll such that a manufacturing process may be started (S 1 ). 
     Next, the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , conveyed through a pinch roll  90  is disposed side by side on the press  30  in a vertical direction, and a pattern is formed in the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , respectively (forming operation, S 2 ). In this case, the pattern may be alternately formed in the first metal strip M 1  through a press  30  reciprocating in a vertical direction, and the pattern may be formed in the second metal strip M 2 . 
     Specifically, a first alignment hole H 1  is formed in the first metal strip M 1  through the press  30 , and a second alignment hole H 2  is formed in the second metal strip M 2  (first operation). 
     Next, when the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  are conveyed, an anode separator plate pattern AP may be formed in the conveyed first metal strip M 1 , and a cathode separator plate pattern CP may be formed in the conveyed second metal strip M 2  (second operation). On the contrary, the cathode separator plate pattern CP may also be formed in the first metal strip M 1 , and the anode separator plate pattern AP may be formed in the second metal strip M 2 . According to an embodiment, the second operation may be performed after the first operation, or may be performed simultaneously with the first operation. 
     Next, when the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  are conveyed, a trimming hole HT is formed along an outer edge of the anode separator plate pattern AP in the conveyed first metal strip M 1 , and a trimming hole HT is formed along an outer edge of the cathode separator plate pattern CP in the conveyed second metal strip M 2  (third operation). 
     The trimming hole HT may be provided in a slit shape, partially cut along the outer edges of the anode separator plate pattern AP and the cathode separator plate pattern CP. In the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , a portion on which the anode separator plate pattern AP and a portion on which the cathode separator plate pattern CP is formed, surrounded by the trimming hole HT may maintain a connection with the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2 , respectively, through a pair of connection portions ND, which are not cut by the trimming hole HT, respectively. 
     Next, the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  conveyed after the forming operation is overlapped each other and are integrally joined by welding the same in a state in which the anode separator plate pattern AP and the cathode separator plate pattern CP are aligned with face-to-face with each other in a bonding operation, S 3 ). 
     In this case, the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  overlap in a state in which the first alignment hole H 1  and the second alignment hole H 2  correspond to each other, so that the anode separator plate pattern AP and the cathode separator plate pattern CP may be aligned. 
     Next, a joined body of the portion on which the anode separator plate pattern AP is formed and the portion on which the cathode separator plate pattern CP, which are obtained by cutting the connection portion ND from the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  and welded, conveyed from the joining operation, is separated from the first metal strip M 1  and the second metal strip M 2  (cutting operation, S 4 ). 
     Thereby, a separator plate SP for a full cell in which the anode separator plate and the cathode separator plate are joined by welding may be manufactured. 
     The separator plate (SP) for a fuel cell manufactured described above may then be packaged through a loading device and shipped as a final product when it passes an appearance inspection and air tightness inspection after a finishing process such as scrap processing is performed. 
     The present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and the examples, but may be made in various forms different from each other, and those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure may be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential feature of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments and examples are illustrative but not restrictive in all aspects.