SFA to unveil smart factory brand called NEO

South Korean battery equipment SFA will unveil its smart factory brand called NEO next week.

The company will share its vision for the business and also share its strategy on its battery operation, people familiar with the matter said.

NEO aims to provide an artificial intelligence (AI) based automated system. It will have six sub-brands __ NEO Plant, NEO Vision, NEO Edge, NEO Platform, NEO AI and NEO CAS.

Technologies such as AI, machine learning, Internet of Things sensors, predictive maintenance and real-time data processing has been applied.

The solutions will be focused on applications in the battery business. 

Inspection equipment to find defects batteries with AI, machine vision, CT and X-Ray technologies will also be shown. Formation and distribution kits with smart technology applied will also be unveiled.

SFA has recently wrapped up development of stacking and degassing kits. The company can now offer equipment for all the processes in battery production and can provide them to clients turn-key,

The company has also recently signed a contract to supply separator equipment. It will also provide distribution equipment to the client.

SFA’s battery equipment business posted 69.7 billion won in sales in the first half of 2020 __ the company has 142.7 billion won in remaining orders. It has secured SK Innovation and Samsung SDI has clients. South Korean analysts expect the company to post 200 billion won in sales in 2021 from its battery equipment business alone.