Their non-contact, high-speed laser processes significantly reduce dust, chemical use, and the production delays often caused by conventional tools, leading to enhanced productivity. One of the key applications where these lasers can revolutionise battery manufacturing is highlighted below.
Remote cutting of Lithium-ion battery electrodes
Lithium-ion batteries are pivotal to modern electronics and electric vehicles, requiring precise cutting of thin anode and cathode materials. Traditional punching methods, however, suffer from wear and degradation over time.
Laser cutting, including notching and slitting, is emerging as a superior alternative, with femtosecond lasers leading the way. A crucial aspect of laser cutting is the 'clearance width', which refers to the exposed middle layer when cutting through a multi-layered material. Conventional fibre lasers, with their longer pulse durations (250 nanoseconds), often produce a significant heat-affected zone (HAZ), diminishing the overall quality of the cut.
Femtosecond lasers, such as Luxinar’s LXR series, operate with pulse durations shorter than one picosecond. These shorter pulses minimise heat transfer, resulting in cleaner cuts with minimal HAZ, improved edge quality, and potentially faster cutting speeds. A 'burst' of femtosecond pulses, which delivers multiple rapid pulses, is essential for balancing speed and quality, offering advantages over single-pulse processing.
The use of femtosecond lasers for remote cutting of lithium-ion battery electrodes marks a considerable advancement in the field. With their ability to produce clean, high-quality cuts at potentially faster speeds, these lasers contribute to greater efficiency and performance in battery production. Further exploration of burst-pulse techniques and different femtosecond laser parameters could unlock even greater potential in this critical area.
Additional applications for Luxinar’s lasers in battery production include:
- Cutting separator foils: A non-contact process free from dust and chemicals
- Unwrapping battery cells: An automated method that avoids overheating the cells
- Surface texturing: High-speed hole drilling for increased productivity and higher charge/discharge currents
- Ablating battery casings, busbars, and hairpin coatings: A swift, clean process that minimises downtime
Yannick Galais, Sales Director at Luxinar, said: “In the complex processes underlying battery production, the laser emerges as an indispensable tool for numerous applications. Luxinar’s laser sources are crucial in slitting, notching, and surface functionalisation processes and can expand the boundaries of what is technically possible."
