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• Li batteries with better performance and reliability;
• TRUMPF presents new application for precise perforation of separator foils with VCSEL heating systems;
• L-Europe patented process and system for perforating battery separator foils using TRUMPF VCSEL heating system as key component;
• High accuracy of direct heat treatment with VCSEL heating systems enable new application fields in e-mobility.
Li batteries benefit from an increase in safety, performance, and reliability. This is reached by the high accuracy of the VCSEL heating systems to perforate separator foils. Separator foils are key components within Li batteries. The permeable membrane is placed between the anode and cathode to prevent electrical short circuits and to allow the smooth transport of ionic charge carriers. With VCSEL heating systems, even very thin separator foils can be processed quickly and homogeneously. As a result, battery safety is increased because the process enables a good battery shutdown function when overheating. “Compared to other production methods, the VCSEL heating systems can be an enabler to reduce overall manufacturing costs and to improve battery charging times at the same time”, says Ralph Gudde, VP Marketing and Sales at TRUMPF Photonic Components. “We see high potential for our unique VCSEL heat treatment in various battery manufacturing steps, not only in precisely perforating separator foils and enabling higher hole density levels, but also, for example, in the drying of battery foils or in pouch cell sealing” Gudde adds. The robust and compact laser modules can be integrated easily into industrial production processes.
How L-Europe successfully qualified its new perforation process
The Swiss company L-Europe is the first company that developed and patented a complete process and system for perforating battery separator foils, using TRUMPF VCSEL heating systems as key elements within their system. The optical power of the VCSEL heating systems can be regulated precisely. Using infrared radiation, printed micro patterns on the electrode foil are heated and, in so doing, the separator foil is perforated. While the infrared laser of the VCSEL system is absorbed only on the printed patterns, micro holes are created through the substrate. “There are great process results with the VCSEL heating systems from TRUMPF. We have achieved a hole density of 5,000 holes per square centimeter with a hole diameter of 3 to 22 μm, that’s impressive,” says Thomas Kreimer, CTO at L-Europe. “Having TRUMPF as a supplier of the key element of our systems supports our promise in offering highly reliable systems for the battery process chain,” Kreimer adds. VCSEL heating systems are well suited to treat the heat resistant separator foils.
Visit TRUMPF at the Battery Show Europe, Hall 10, Booth A10
Digital photographs in print-ready resolution are available to illustrate this press release. They may only be used for editorial purposes. Use is free of charge when credit is given as “Photo: TRUMPF”. Graphic editing except for cropping the main subject is prohibited. Additional photos can be accessed at TRUMPF Media Pool
About TRUMPF Photonic Components
TRUMPF Photonic Components is a global technology leader, supplying VCSEL and photodiode solutions for consumer electronics, datacom, automotive, industrial sensing and heating markets. So far, it has shipped more than two billion VCSEL chips and photodiodes have been shipped worldwide. The staff continues to drive its technological know-how that has been established for over 20 years now in order to maintain its leadership position. The long-established technology was acquired by TRUMPF in 2019. The company has its headquarters in Ulm, Germany, with further sales locations in the Netherlands, China, Korea and the US.
TRUMPF Photonic Components belongs to the TRUMPF Group (trumpf.com), a high-technology company that offers production solutions in the machine tool and laser sectors. TRUMPF is the world technological and market leader for machine tools used in flexible sheet metal processing, and also for industrial lasers and metal 3D printing. In the 2020/21 fiscal year, the company employed some 14,800 people and generated sales of about 3.5 billion euros. With over 80 subsidiaries, the TRUMPF Group is represented in nearly every European country, in North America, South America and Asia. The company has production facilities in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic, the United States, Mexico and China.
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