In the battery industry, EV batteries are currently in increasing demand around the world. Also, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are established, many customers face the following challenges:
- Responding to high-quality requirements and requests for enhanced traceability
- Enhancing competitiveness through production efficiency and cost reduction
- Addressing Sustainable Development Goals and ESG Management
- Technology and Knowledge exchange correspondence
YOKOGAWA organically integrates cutting-edge technology acquired over many years in every industry and field, as well as know-how and achievements in measurement, control and information, from the development of battery materials to the process of manufacturing.
Lithium ion Secondary Battery Manufacturing Process
Lithium-ion secondary battery is produced through the following key manufacturing process.
YOKOGAWA provides equipment and solutions that support various battery manufacturing processes.
Details
Mixing
At the positive electrode, active material, conductive auxiliary agent, binder, and organic solvent are mixed to make a slurry for the positive electrode. Similarly, at the negative electrode, active material, binder, and organic solvent are mixed to make a slurry for the negative electrode.
FlowCam Flow Imaging Microscopy
[Application for batteries]
- The electrode material can be easily evaluated for uniformity, shape and contamination.
- Detect battery fluid for contamination.
- Suitable for evaluating the quality of battery / catalyst materials.
[Capabilities]
- Observations can be automated.
- Take many particles at high speed (tens of thousands per minute).
- Measure and analyse particles in real time.
- It is a multipurpose device that combines the functions of a microscope, particle size analyzer, and flow cytometer.
- For observation, powder samples can be dissolved in a solvent.
The particles in the liquid are automatically observed by setting the liquid sample in the device.
It is a device that extracts a particle image and analyzes the characteristics of the particle image.
[Product page]
FlowCam Flow Imaging Microscopy
ROTAMASS Total Insight Coriolis mass flow meter
[Application for batteries]
By controlling the mass flow during mixing and coating process, coating thickness can be accurately controlled.
[Capabilities]
- Measures liquids and gases with high accuracy.
- Multiple process values, such as mass flow rate, density and temperature are measured simultaneously and use to calculate other process values, such as volumetric flow rate. (Volumetric flow rate or corrected volumetric flow rate, reference density, concentration (miscible/ immiscible liquid)
- Rotamass can measure a value from external devices and calculates the viscosity and energy of the fluid accurately.
[Product page]
Coating
By applying (coating) a material onto a base material, it is given the function of a positive electrode (anode), a negative electrode (cathode), and a separator that separates them, thus producing laminated electrode (laminated element) members.
Online Thickness Gauge for Battery Electrode Sheets WEBFREX3ES
[Application for batteries]
During the electrode coating process, WEBFREX3ES can measure coat weights which are important parameters that affect quality and yield.
It contributes to not only monitoring online quality, but also storing long-term measurement data, and improving quality and cost.
[Capabilities]
- Achievements of film measurement for more than 50 years and battery electrode measurement for more than 10 years
- A track record in delivering to more than half of the world's top 10 companies
- The operation monitoring and improvement methods cultivated over many years at the manufacturing site, and the design specialized for battery electrode manufacturing backed by its know-how
- High-speed measurement suitable for the high-speed production lines, and high-resolution measurement that enables us to measure more detailed electrode edge parts
- Design to prevent dust contamination
- Operation screen that supports various coating patterns such as intermittent coating and stripe coating
- Possible to automatically save measurement data, utilize it as quality evidence, and analyze the cause when a problem occurs
- Automatic coating control software (option) which contributes to the reduction of manpower and production loss, and improvement of production quality
- Full support for external communication that enables centralized production management in MES and data connection with coating machines
[Product page]
Online Thickness Gauge for Battery Electrode Sheets WEBFREX3ES
Drying
Both electrodes are formed by evaporating the solvent in a drying oven after the slurry is applied to the aluminium foil for the positive electrode and the copper foil for the negative electrode.
DTSX Optical fiber temperature sensor
[Application for batteries]
In the drying process, an optical fiber cable is used to measure the internal temperature distribution inside the furnace to understand temperature unevenness that affects the quality of the product.
[Capabilities]
- It is now possible to provide a comprehensive view of the temperature distribution across the entire drying furnace, help determine issues in the drying process, improve productivity and quality of the drying operation.
- Contributes to the control of the optimum temperature profile without wasting energy.
- With an optical fiber cable, it is possible to cover multiple drying furnaces with one unit, reducing construction costs and maintenance costs compared to multi-point measurement with a point sensor.
[Product page]
Distributed Temperature Sensor - Fire Detection/Fire Prevention
Pressing/Slitting/Assembling
An electrode material is made from active material that is agitated, coated with aluminium foil, pressed into a roll, then cut according to its dimensions. The finished electrode materials are wound up or laminated with an insulation separator. Place this in the case and assemble the battery.
Sushi Sensor
[Application for batteries]
- Signs of abnormality in press/slit/assembly process due to uneven vibration measurements.
- Detecting abnormal signs in advance prevents equipment failures.
[Capabilities]
- Online equipment data collection, including data from elevated and hazardous locations, reduces inspection steps.
- Quantify and visualize a result of inspections that depends on individual experience and intuition, and on-site experience.
- Reduction in the unevenness of inspection quality caused by the skills and experiences of inspection staff.
- The use of trend monitoring of equipments is effective in early detection of abnormalities and reduces the risk of overlooking them.
[Product page]
FA-M3,e-RT3
[Application for batteries]
It can be used for a wide range of purposes, including coating, drying, pressing, slitting, assembly and charge/discharge control, as well as process control.
[Capabilities]
- From sequence control by rudder to event-driven control by C/C++ realized on a real time Operating system. Preparation of a controller suitable for the application and ensure high-speed and stable control.
- Modules ranging from general-purpose DI/O and AI/O to specialty modules are available.
- Ensure long-term supply stability as well as robustness.
An Industrial IoT controller using a general-purpose Linux environment
Production and manufacturing equipment controlled in real time
Collecting and analyzing manufacturing site data
Seamless integration with higher-level systems
[Product page]
Filling
Inject and permeate the lithium-ion battery cell with the injecting rotor after weighing it.
Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopic analyzer NR800
[Application for batteries]
Components and low-concentration water can be measured in-line and on-line during liquid injection.
[Capabilities]
- High stability and reliability
- One detector covers a wide wavelength range
- High resolution
- Seamless integration from lab to process
- Utilizes double beam
- Multi-channel measurement is performed simultaneously and continuously (maximum 4 channels)
[Example of using NR800]
Control of trace moisture in electrolyte
Online measurements of moisture
- Confirmation when accepting electrolyte
- Detection of moisture content at Use point
Moisture monitoring at the point of injecting electrolyte into the battery
[Product page]
Charging / Discharging / Aging / Visual inspection
Charge / discharge, aging, and visual inspection are performed, and the manufacturing process is completed.
SMARTDAC+ GM
[Application for batteries]
- SMARTDAC+ GM is ideal for applications requiring the meansurement of cell voltage, such as fuel cells, secondary batteries and electrolytic tanks.
- SMARTDAC+ GM can measure and withstand a wide range of battery voltages.
- SMARTDAC+ GM measures multi-channel synchronously and supports high common mode voltage.
[Capabilities]
- Flexible response to changes in the number of channels
- Easy access with a web browser
- Open networks are supported
- Designed for high performance and reliability
- Environment and noise resistance
Cell voltage monitoring / measurement solution
The high withstand voltage module ensures a maximum common mode voltage of 1000 VDC.
Supports multi-point measurement of up to 420 channels with GM 1 system
10ch x 6module x 7units = 420ch
Charging / Discharging test of automotive battery
- Contents
Measures transient current during charging and discharging of automotive batteries.
- Detailed data collection
Data collection on transient current characteristics during charging and discharging within 1 ms.
Not only collect current data, but also the internal pressure and temperature.
[Product page]
Resources
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