Speed and precision for your battery manufacturing
From cells and module production to inserting the battery systems, Festo has the right automation solutions for the entire battery manufacturing process, be it pneumatic, electric or hybrid. In battery manufacturing, high throughput and repeat accuracy are just as important as cost-effective solutions. This applies to many different process steps, from conveying, supplying and controlling aggressive media to precise parts handling and force-controlled pressing applications.
Festo product portfolio for battery production
Producing batteries is an extremely sensitive process. Each phase of the production environment, whether processing, transport or quality inspection, should therefore be clean.
Find out how to produce safe batteries with non-ferrous metal-free automation components in our catalogue 'Products for battery production'.
Automation solutions for your applications
Precisely controlled degassing and sealing
During the formation process, gas builds up in the battery cell. This gas must be removed. This is done by piercing the battery cell using a hollow lance and evacuating the gas until electrolyte is being drawn off too. The system then switches over and pumps the drawn off electrolyte back into the battery cell, and the rest of the gas is removed. Handling systems from Festo help with loading the battery cells onto the workpiece carriers for insertion into the process camera and then unloading them again afterwards.
Suitable products for degassing and sealing the battery cell
Augmented reality animation (only available in English)
Safe cutting and clamping with WebCatcher
The purpose of cutting is to divide a wide strip of electrode foil into several narrower strips. This cutting process can be done thermally using laser cutting or carried out mechanically using a rolling cutter. To extend the cutter’s service life, a cooling liquid is sprayed directly onto the blade during this process. The liquid must be dispensed in a controlled way and in very small quantities. The dispense head from Festo is perfect for this task. If the machine stops during the cutting process, the electrode strips are secured using what are known as WebCatchers. Fast-switching valves and cylinders are used to ensure a fast response time and speed.
Suitable products for cutting and clamping electrode strips
High-speed stacking
In the production of pouch cells a stacking process is used. During the stacking process, the electrode sheets are stacked in a repeating cycle of anode, separator, cathode, separator, etc. Festo offers complete electric handling systems for this particular process step, consisting of axis kinematics, motors and servo drives. All the components are perfectly matched. Very high speeds are required for maximum output. These are achieved by fast-switching valves with switching frequencies of up to 500 Hz. The vacuum needed to pick up and transfer the electrode sheets is generated using vacuum generators.
Suitable products for stacking electrode sheets
Safe and precise filling with electrolyte
Once the cell stack or jelly roll has been inserted in the battery housing, the battery cell can be filled with electrolyte. The electrolyte is dispensed via the pinch valve. It is actuated using individual valves or valve terminals. Since electrolyte reacts with water and forms hydrofluoric acid, the ambient air must be very dry when filling the battery cells. To ensure this is the case, the air is continuously evacuated and removed from the machine cell. The vacuum required to do this is generated centrally via a vacuum pump. The process is regulated by a system of pinch valves, valve terminals and pressure sensors.
Suitable products for filling with electrolyte
Success story: future battery production
Electric vehicles are setting a trend. However, their success depends on high-performance and cost-effective batteries. In the UK, the pilot project AMPLiFII at WMG is laying the foundations of a new generation of traction batteries. The project includes innovative automation technology from Horizon Instruments with a Festo pick & place solution.