InQuZell
PEM Develops Quality Assurance for Laser Process in Electrode Contacting
In the joint project "InQuZell", the chair "Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components" (PEM) of RWTH Aachen University is working on intelligent quality assurance and documentation for in-cell contacting based on lasers. The contacting of the stacked electrodes in hardcase and pouch cells of lithium-ion batteries takes place at a late stage. Since 80 percent of the value added is already created before this process step, rejects are associated with high financial losses. In terms of resource-efficient handling of the materials used and a reduction in scrap costs, a stable and reliable contacting process is essential.
Fast laser welding method with high process control
The "InQuZell" partners are therefore researching a contacting method that uses a laser welding process, which in turn should enable a variant-flexible and industrially scalable contacting process through highly flexible process control and high welding speeds. The research project pursues a holistic approach, which in two studen aims at the overall project goal of an innovative, laser-based pilot plant for contacting tasks within cell production.
Concepts for integration into existing production chains
In the first step, the team will develop a method for inline monitoring and documentation to measure intermediate product quality during and after contacting. This method should contribute to complete production documentation as well as to a consistently high quality of the end product. The data collected should be used to identify quality fluctuations in production at an early stage, significantly reduce scrap and thus save valuable resources. As a second pillar of the project, the researchers are elaborating concepts for the continuous integration of laser-based internal contacting into the existing production chain in order to contribute to highly flexible battery cell production.
Transfer to other laser production processes
In the end, the flexibility and speed of the laser beam welding process should enable agile battery cell production that can serve future small, medium and large series. The holistic research approach and system flexibility open up the potential for use in the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB and transfer to future battery production in Germany. The developed method for quality assurance and documentation should lay a foundation for a holistic, intelligent production system and be transferable to other laser manufacturing processes in battery production. The project is part of the federally funded competence cluster "Intelligent Battery Cell Production" (InZePro).
The project
- "InQuZell": Intelligent quality assurance and documentation for laser-based in-cell contacting
Research objectives
- Development of an inline monitoring and documentation method for measuring intermediate product quality during and after the electrode contacting process
- Development of concepts for the continuous integration of laser-based internal contacting into the existing production chain
Research and project partners
Institute for Machine Tools and Industrial Management (iwb) (TU Munich) (project coordinator)
PEM of RWTH Aachen University
wbk Institute of Production Science (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)
Duration
- 01/01/2021 through 03/31/2024
Project management
Funding code
- 03XP0342B
Grantor