Table of Contents
Growth of battery manufacturing market
According to researchers, battery manufacturing has become a rapidly growing market, mainly driven by increased demand from the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Fiber laser manufacturers anticipate strong growth in integrating fiber laser technology into battery welding equipment, especially laser-based systems.
Application of fiber lasers in battery welding
Fiber laser principles are applied in battery welding. While this is not a new application, its use surged with the growth of the EV industry.
Research and development in battery cell production
Researchers are currently developing efficient production centers for EV battery cells. They investigate how fiber laser technology can economically join dissimilar materials, improving the efficiency and reliability of battery manufacturing.
Projects on lithium-ion battery manufacturing
Several scientific projects explore fiber laser applications in battery production. One study focuses on optimizing lithium-ion battery manufacturing. Researchers designed a fiber laser system to join anodes (copper) and cathodes (aluminum) to contacts. Various fiber laser types were tested, and a turntable with multiple stations enabled a complete stack in just two seconds.
Efficient battery cell connections
Another project examines more efficient connections of battery cells. Scientists are developing processes for bonding copper, aluminum, and steel using nanosecond fiber lasers. These processes are challenging because thin electrical contacts are sensitive to heat. Low welding energy results in weak mechanical stability, while excessive energy can reduce battery lifespan. Striking the right balance is critical.
Experiments on different joint types
A third project tested copper-aluminum and copper-steel joints on pouch and cylindrical cells. The results showed joint quality comparable to continuous-wave (CW) welding, with lower energy consumption, high repeatability, and fewer intermetallic phases. The main drawback is longer processing time, highlighting areas for further improvement.
Conclusion: fiber lasers in battery manufacturing
Fiber laser systems have broad applications, including battery manufacturing. They can combine CW and nanosecond pulsed fiber lasers, with separate control of the laser beam. Beyond joining, fiber lasers can also remove material to shape surfaces or create precise structures.