SK Innovation applies laser tech to battery-making
Applied in Georgia plant in US
SK Innovation will be applying laser tab-welding technology to its EV battery-making lines in Georgia, US to catch up with its cross-town rival LG Chem, according to industry sources on Feb. 17.
This marks the first time that the company has been identified to use such technology in its battery production lines.
The Georgia plant will be using the welding method to mass produce pouch-type batteries when it begins to run on full capacity in 2022. Until now, SK Innovation has been exclusively using ultrasound, but appears to have opted for the more sophisticated technology on rising demand. This also means its battery manufacturing capacity has improved, according to market watchers.
The source of the laser will come from Germany manufacturer Trumpf Group’s Trudisk 4000 DPSS.
The polar tabs in SK Innovation’s pouch-type batteries stretch when energy density goes up. This is due to the larger number of stacks. Ultrasound technology works when the stacks are below 30, but the latest batteries being produced have stacks surpassing 50 to require more sophisticated technologies.
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