Reliability, safety and precision are crucial in battery production. Our Weighing and Feeding systems offer the ideal solution for your requirements and processes, customised to your needs. We optimise every step of your production process, from lithium carbonate to lithium hydroxide, from graphite powder to nickel powder. Our experts ensure smooth integration of our technologies into your existing systems.

Our feeder for battery raw materials

battery feeder

Process of battery cell production

The production process for battery cells begins with the extraction of ores and the synthesis of precursor materials. The ores are smelted, purified and in some cases react with sulphuric acid to form their sulphates.

A calcination process is required to convert the precursor materials into the active material. Depending on the type of active material, various processing steps may be necessary to achieve the desired crystal structure and composition, including mixing, grinding, coating and thermal treatment.

This is an essential step in the production process: The high-precision dosing of the partially dry and partially wet components into a mixture and the subsequent homogenisation into an electrode paste require a high degree of process knowledge.

Products made to solve such challenges: 

The wet electrode paste is applied to aluminium or copper foil. This is usually carried out by means of a slot die coating process. The foil is then dried, calendered and cut to the relevant cell format.

The individual parts of the battery cell (cathode, anode and separator) are stacked and assembled according to the respective format. The cell is then filled with electrolyte.

After assembly, the cells undergo the activation process with precise charging and discharging. The modules and packs are then put together. The performance and quality of the finished battery packs depend largely on the precision and excellence of the previous processes.

Batch processes as a challenge in battery cell production

Batch processes are obligatory for dosing the materials for the electrode paste. However, measurement accuracy can be impaired if there are no constant pressure conditions in the system. Impurities in the slurry caused by metal abrasion or penetrating humidity also damage the product quality of the battery cells. These problems can be solved by constructive measures. Intelligent control of the filling and refilling processes is of central importance for all other quality requirements. With our LIW Feeder MET Coni-Flex, ProFlex C and CS+ products, we ensure the required high quality when mixing the electrode paste. 

Continuous processes as a disruption in battery cell production

Advances in process development make continuous production of electrode slurries possible. This means that production can take place seamlessly and without interruptions. The correct ratio of raw materials is achieved after just a short time, resulting in an extremely high-quality slurry. The previous challenges of batch traceability are a thing of the past, thanks to new in-line quality control methods.

Qlar has extensive experience gained from years of working with extruder manufacturers in other industries. This collaboration has enabled us to develop innovative solutions specifically tailored to the requirements of battery cell production.

Continuous extrusion often proves to be more cost-effective in the long run. Although the initial set-up costs may be higher compared to batch mixing systems, the improved quality, efficiency and productivity result in lower production costs. In addition, the reduced need for manual intervention and maintenance leads to long-term savings in labor and operating costs.

Our products, such as the LIW Feeder MET Coni-Flex, ProFlex C and CS+, guarantee high quality in the production of electrode paste. The intelligent control of the filling and refilling processes ensures consistently high product quality and efficiency. Thanks to continuous extrusion, we can offer our customers a future-proof solution that optimizes their production processes and enables long-term cost savings.

Why Qlar?

We are your reliable partner for the production of battery cells. Our Customer Success Manager ensures a smooth transition from pilot scale to ramp-up. This enables seamless scaling of your processes. Our process engineers work closely with our technicians to optimise interfaces and product adaptations. 

We have local sales and service staff to support you in the shortest possible time. In addition, we offer the possibility of joint development initiatives to support you in optimising overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). 

Through our established collaboration with other component suppliers, such as mixers and material handling systems, we minimise your risks. These partnerships ensure seamless integration and smooth operation of your equipment. We stand for quality, reliability and continuous support for your production processes.

Our latest development in the field of additive dosing in electrode production

Loss-In-Weight feeder for the dosing of additives in the lithium cathode material industry

The additives used in the lithium cathode material industry are characterised by easy agglomeration, high viscosity and complex dosing. Qlar's loss-in-weight scales with their unique structural design, combined with Qlar's proprietary dynamic measurement algorithms and measuring devices, are able to effectively solve the difficulties of light agglomeration and high viscosity.

Features:

  • Specially developed screw
  • Quick and easy disassembly for cleaning and product changes
  • Wear-resistant coating 
  • Dynamic measurement

Let’s make your processes work

We are the global partner who lives your process challenges with you. Our passion for always going the extra mile to deliver the best solutions means there’s nothing we can’t solve together.

Have you got a challenge for us?