Lithium battery processing industry

Production steps in lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing summarizing electrode manufacturing, cell assembly and cell finishing (formation) based on prismatic cell format. Electrode manufacturing starts with the reception of the materials in a dry room (environment with controlled humidity, temperature, and pressure).

The application of laser technology in the process of lithium-ion battery manufacturing also brings drastic changes to the production process of lithium-ion batteries. Laser cutting process is mainly adopted into cutting and forming the battery lug and cutting the pole slice and separator.

The manufacture of the lithium-ion battery cell comprises the three main process steps of electrode manufacturing, cell assembly and cell finishing. The electrode manufacturing and cell finishing process steps are largely independent of the cell type, while cell assembly distinguishes between pouch and cylindrical cells as well as prismatic cells.

Conventional processing of a lithium-ion battery cell consists of three steps: (1) electrode manufacturing, (2) cell assembly, and (3) cell finishing (formation) [8, 10]. Although there are different cell formats, such as prismatic, cylindrical and pouch cells, manufacturing of these cells is similar but differs in the cell assembly step.

The benefit of the process is that typical lithium-ion battery manufacturing speed (target: 80 m/min) can be achieved, and the amount of lithium deposited can be well controlled. Additionally, as the lithium powder is stabilized via a slurry, its reactivity is reduced.

In contrast, the past five years have seen the rapid development of China's lithium-ion battery industry, and the massive expansion in lithium-ion battery production capacity have further enhanced China's dominant position in the global lithium-ion battery industry.