Patent ID: 7927086

Claim:
A manufacturing apparatus for use with a membrane electrode assembly having both a catalytic layer and a gas diffusion layer on opposing surfaces of an electrolyte membrane, the apparatus comprising: a mold cast including a gripping portion configured to grip an edge portion of the catalytic and the gas diffusion layers; a measuring portion configured to measure thicknesses of the catalytic layer and the gas diffusion layer and to produce a measurement output; a moveable block positioned proximate to the gripping portion, the moveable block operable to move forward and backward against the electrolyte membrane along an inner side surface of the gripping portion, the moveable block having a side opposite the gripping portion and adjacent to an outer peripheral end of the gas diffusion layer; and a control portion configured to receive measurement output from the measuring portion and to control the forward-backward movement of the moveable block according to the thicknesses of the catalytic layer and the gas diffusion layer.