Lithium-ion Battery Manufacturing Process – Electrode Slitting/Die Cutting/Laser Cutting Process
I. Lithium Electrode Slitting Process
- Principle: Slitting uses rotating blades or lasers to cut the positive and negative electrodes of lithium batteries.
During slitting, place the positive and negative electrode materials on a cutting table. Rotating blades or lasers precisely cut the materials.
- Main Methods: Rotary Slitting: Uses a rotary disc cutter for circular cuts, offering cost-effectiveness but lower precision and edge quality. Laser Cutting: Laser cutting uses a laser beam for non-contact cuts. It provides high precision with no burrs or stress. However, the equipment cost is higher.”
- Features: High Flexibility: Suitable for cutting electrodes of different thicknesses and materials. High Production Efficiency: Capable of quickly completing the slitting of a large number of electrodes. Wide Application Range: Applicable for both small batch production and sample preparation during the R&D phase.
- Requirements: High cutting precision ensures consistent electrode dimensions and smooth battery assembly. Edge must be smooth and burr-free to avoid adverse effects on battery performance and safety.
II. Lithium Electrode Die Cutting Process
- Principle: Die cutting uses steel molds to cut the positive and negative electrode materials. It is a process for lithium batteries.
The mold shape and size match the positive and negative electrodes of the lithium battery. Applying pressure closely integrates the electrode materials with the mold to achieve cutting.
- Features: High Cutting Precision: Achieves consistency and accuracy in electrode dimensions. High Efficiency: Suitable for large-scale processing of electrode sheets. Low Cost: Reusing the mold reduces production costs.
- Requirements: The mold’s precision and stability affect electrode alignment. Apply proper pressure during die cutting to integrate the electrodes closely with the mold.
III. Principle of Electrode Laser Cutting
Laser cutting uses a high-power laser beam to heat the battery electrodes, causing them to melt, vaporize, or form holes through ablation. As the beam moves across the electrodes, holes continuously form narrow slits, completing the cutting of the electrodes.
Advantages of Electrode Laser Cutting
1 High Cutting Precision: Laser cutting achieves precision within 0.01mm, ensuring accurate electrode dimensions and shape.
2 Good Flexibility: It adapts easily to different shapes, reducing the need for new molds and cutting costs.
3 Excellent Cutting Results: Laser cutting creates a small heat-affected zone with flat, consistent cross-sections, improving battery performance.
4 High Production Efficiency: Laser cutting is 13 times faster than traditional methods, with new technologies increasing speed by 46 times, boosting production efficiency.
Impact of Electrode Laser Cutting on Battery Performance
The quality of the electrode cutting edge affects battery performance. Laser cutting optimizes parameters to reduce issues like coating detachment, metal foil exposure, and debris, improving performance and safety.
