Lith Corporation, founded in 1998 by a group of material science doctor from Tsinghua University, has now become the leading manufacturer of battery lab&production equipment. Lith Corporation have production factories in shenzhen and xiamen of China.This allows for the possibility of providing high quality and low-cost precision machines for lab&production equipment,including: roller press, film coater,mixer, high-temperature furnace, glove box,and complete set of equipment for research of rechargeable battery materials. Simple to operate, low cost and commitment to our customers is our priority.
Equipment for 18650 Cell Manufacturing
The 18650 cell, with its standardized dimensions (18mm diameter and 65mm height), is one of the most widely used cylindrical lithiumion battery formats. Its applications range from consumer electronics to electric vehicles (EVs). Manufacturing 18650 cells requires specialized equipment to ensure high precision, consistency, and reliability. Below is a detailed overview of the key equipment used in the production of 18650 cells.
●Key Stages of 18650 Cell Manufacturing
The manufacturing process can be broken down into several stages, each requiring specific equipment:
1. Material Preparation
Slurry Mixer:
Used to mix active materials (e.g., cathode or anode powders), binders, conductive additives, and solvents into a homogeneous slurry.
Homogenizer:
Ensures uniform distribution of particles in the slurry, improving electrode performance.
2. Electrode Coating and Drying
Coater:
Applies the slurry onto current collector foils (aluminum for the cathode, copper for the anode) using techniques like doctor blade coating or slot die coating.
Drying Oven:
Removes the solvent from the coated electrodes under controlled temperature and humidity conditions.
3. Cutting and Tab Welding
Die Cutter:
Cuts the coated electrodes into strips of predefined dimensions.
Tab Welder:
Attaches metallic tabs (nickel or aluminum) to the electrodes for electrical connection.
4. Winding
Winding Machine:
Winds the cathode, separator, and anode together into a jellyroll structure. Precision winding ensures even layer alignment and prevents misalignment.
5. Insertion into Metal Can
Insertion Machine:
Inserts the wound jellyroll into a cylindrical metal can. The bottom of the can acts as the negative terminal.
6. Top Cap Assembly
Top Cap Assembler:
Places the top cap assembly, which includes the positive terminal, safety features (e.g., pressuresensitive fuses), and insulating gaskets, onto the open end of the can.
7. Electrolyte Injection
Electrolyte Injector:
Injects the electrolyte solution into the can through a small opening in the top cap. The electrolyte wets the electrodes and separator.
8. Sealing
Sealing Equipment:
Seals the top cap to the metal can using laser welding or crimping to create a hermetic seal, ensuring no leakage occurs.
9. Formation and Testing
Formation Chamber:
Subjected to a formation cycle to activate the battery and form a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on the anode.
Electrochemical Tester:
Evaluates the cell's capacity, voltage profile, cycling stability, internal resistance, and other key parameters.
10. Quality Control and Packaging
Inspection System:
Inspects finished cells for defects such as swelling, leaks, or short circuits using visual inspection, Xray imaging, or other nondestructive testing methods.
Packaging Equipment:
Packages the cells for shipment.
●Detailed Equipment List for 18650 Cell Manufacturing
Material Preparation
1. HighSpeed Slurry Mixer:
Combines active materials, binders, and solvents to create a uniform slurry.
Example: Planetary mixer or dualshaft mixer.
2. Homogenizer:
Ensures particle size reduction and uniform dispersion in the slurry.
Example: Ultrasonic homogenizer or highshear mixer.
Electrode Coating and Drying
3. Slot Die Coater:
Applies the slurry uniformly onto current collector foils.
Example: Singlelayer or multilayer coaters for precise thickness control.
4. Drying Oven:
Removes solvents from the coated electrodes under controlled conditions.
Example: Convection ovens or vacuum ovens.
Cutting and Tab Welding
5. Die Cutter:
Cuts the coated electrodes into strips with predefined dimensions.
Example: Rotary die cutter or laser cutter.
6. Tab Welder:
Attaches metallic tabs to the electrodes using ultrasonic welding or resistance welding.
Example: Ultrasonic tab welder or laser tab welder.
Winding
7. Winding Machine:
Winds the cathode, separator, and anode into a jellyroll structure.
Example: Fully automated winding machines with tension control and alignment systems.
Insertion into Metal Can
8. Insertion Machine:
Inserts the wound jellyroll into the cylindrical metal can.
Example: Automated insertion machines with precision alignment.
Top Cap Assembly
9. Top Cap Assembler:
Places the top cap assembly onto the can.
Example: Semiautomated or fully automated top cap assembly machines.
18650 Slitting Machine
Electrolyte Injection
10. Electrolyte Injector:
Injects the electrolyte solution into the can under vacuum conditions.
Example: Highprecision electrolyte injection systems with flow control.
Sealing
11. Laser Welder:
Seals the top cap to the metal can using laser welding.
Example: Fiber laser welder or pulsed Nd:YAG laser welder.
12. Crimping Machine:
Alternatively, seals the top cap using crimping for lowercost applications.
Example: Hydraulic or pneumatic crimping machines.
Formation and Testing
13. Formation Chamber:
Activates the battery and forms the SEI layer during the formation cycle.
Example: Temperaturecontrolled formation chambers with programmable charge/discharge cycles.
14. Electrochemical Tester:
Evaluates the cell's performance parameters.
Example: Multichannel battery testers with data logging capabilities.
Quality Control and Packaging
15. Inspection System:
Detects defects such as swelling, leaks, or short circuits.
Example: Visual inspection systems, Xray imaging, or impedance measurement systems.
16. Packaging Equipment:
Packages the finished cells for shipment.
Example: Automatic labeling and boxing machines.
●Key Features of 18650 Manufacturing Equipment
1. Precision:
Equipment must ensure precise control over dimensions, thickness, and alignment to maintain cell performance and safety.
2. Automation:
Modern equipment often incorporates automation to improve throughput, reduce labor costs, and minimize human error.
3. Environmental Control:
Many processes require controlled environments (e.g., low humidity, oxygenfree atmospheres) to prevent degradation of sensitive materials.
4. Safety Features:
Equipment includes safety mechanisms to handle hazardous materials like lithium, electrolytes, and chemicals safely.
5. Scalability:
Equipment can be scaled up or down to meet varying production volumes, from pilotscale prototyping to mass production.
●Challenges in Using 18650 Manufacturing Equipment
1. High Initial Costs:
Advanced equipment for 18650 cell manufacturing can be expensive, requiring significant capital investment.
2. Maintenance Requirements:
Regular maintenance is necessary to ensure consistent performance and avoid downtime.
3. Skill Requirements:
Operators need specialized training to handle complex machinery and troubleshoot issues.
4. Compatibility:
Equipment must be compatible with different chemistries and cell designs to remain flexible.
●Future Trends in 18650 Manufacturing Equipment
1. Increased Automation:
Fully automated production lines will become more common, reducing labor costs and improving efficiency.
2. Integration of AI and IoT:
Artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies will enhance process monitoring, predictive maintenance, and quality control.
3. Sustainability:
Equipment will focus on reducing energy consumption and waste generation, aligning with ecofriendly manufacturing practices.
4. Customization:
Equipment will become more adaptable to support emerging cell formats like 21700 and 4680 while maintaining compatibility with the 18650 standard.
5. SolidState Battery Production:
New equipment will be developed to support the production of solidstate 18650 cells, which promise improved safety and energy density.
●Conclusion
The equipment used in 18650 cell manufacturing plays a critical role in ensuring the quality, performance, and reliability of these batteries. By investing in advanced, precisionengineered equipment, manufacturers can meet the growing demand for highperformance 18650 cells across various industries. As technology continues to evolve, future equipment will likely incorporate automation, AI, and sustainability features to further enhance the manufacturing process.
What aspect of 18650 manufacturing equipment interests you most? Share your thoughts below! Together, let’s explore how innovation in equipment is shaping the future of battery production.
Louis@lithmachine.com
+0086 15959378975