What are the delivery processes for an
18650 battery.
This article provides a detailed introduction to the entire process of lithium batteries from production to delivery. The production of lithium batteries begins in the design and development stage, where engineers conduct electrochemical design and structural simulation based on customer needs. Next is material preparation, including procurement and inspection of raw materials. The manufacturing process of battery cells involves steps such as coating, drying, compaction, slitting, die-cutting, winding or laminating. During the packaging stage, soft or hard sealing techniques are used to form the outer shell of the battery. After injection and pre sealing, the battery undergoes chemical transformation to form a stable SEI film. Static, sealed, tested and screened to ensure battery performance and safety. After dividing the battery cells, they are assembled with the protective circuit board to form a finished battery. The design and assembly of battery packs consider heat dissipation, fixation, and electrical connections. Performance testing ensures the reliability of the battery pack under various conditions. Quality control ensures that the battery meets the factory standards. Packaging, warehousing, and logistics ensure the safety of batteries during transportation. Ultimately, the battery is delivered to the customer according to the order and necessary after-sales service is provided. The entire process reflects the emphasis on product quality and customer satisfaction.
1、 Design and Development
The design and development phase is the starting point of lithium battery manufacturing. Imagine engineers sitting together, discussing customer needs that may include battery size, shape, capacity, and even performance at extreme temperatures. Next, they began selecting suitable electrochemical materials and conducting experiments to find the optimal formula. Then, they will use computer simulations to predict the performance of the battery, ensuring that the design meets all expected goals. This stage of work is crucial as it determines the performance and safety of the battery.
2、 Material preparation
Next, we have entered the material preparation stage. This step is like preparing ingredients for a feast. In order to manufacture high-quality lithium batteries, we need to choose the best raw materials, including positive electrode materials, negative electrode materials, electrolytes, and separators. After these materials arrive at the factory, they will undergo a series of inspections and tests to ensure that their quality meets our strict standards. During this process, any materials that do not meet the requirements will be removed to ensure the final quality of the battery.
3、 Battery cell manufacturing
The manufacturing process of battery cells is like making a cake, requiring careful blending and baking. Firstly, we mix the active substance with a binder by stirring, and then apply it onto a metal foil to form a polarizer. These electrodes will be dried and compacted to increase their energy density. Afterwards, the electrode pieces will be cut and die cut into appropriate sizes, and finally, the positive and negative electrode pieces will be combined with the separator through winding or stacking to form the battery cell. This process requires very precise operation to ensure the consistency and reliability of the battery cells.
4、 Encapsulation
Encapsulation is an important step in protecting battery cells and providing electrical connections. Imagine it's like putting a sturdy coat on the battery cell. Soft sealing technology is achieved by embedding silicone strips inside the metal head, while hard sealing technology requires opening slots on the metal head. During the packaging process, it is also necessary to seal the top side and the injection port to ensure that the internal environment of the battery is isolated from the outside, preventing the infiltration of moisture and air. Quality control at this stage is crucial as any poor packaging can lead to decreased battery performance or safety issues.
5、 Injection and pre sealing
After packaging the battery cell, the next step is to inject electrolyte into it. Electrolyte is like the blood of a battery, it transports ions between the positive and negative electrodes of the battery, enabling it to charge and discharge. After the injection is completed, it is necessary to immediately perform pre sealing, which is an important step to ensure that the battery is completely isolated from the external environment. The quality of pre sealing directly affects the safety and reliability of the battery.
6、 Transform into
Chemical conversion is a key process in battery manufacturing, which involves the first charge discharge cycle of the battery. The purpose of this process is to form a stable SEI film, which is a protective layer that can prevent the decomposition of the electrolyte and extend the service life of the battery. During the formation process, the voltage and temperature of the battery will be precisely controlled to ensure the safety and performance of the battery.
7、 Let it stand still
After formation, the battery needs to be left to stand for a period of time. This step allows the electrolyte to fully infiltrate the electrode sheet while releasing internal stresses that may be generated during the formation process. Static placement can be carried out at high or room temperature, depending on the type and manufacturing process of the battery. Although this step may seem simple, it is actually very important for ensuring the long-term stability of the battery.
8、 Two seals
After formation and settling, the battery will enter the secondary sealing process. Before sealing, it is necessary to discharge the gas generated by the chemical reaction inside the battery. Then, the airbag area of the battery is sealed using heat sealing technology to ensure the airtightness of the battery. The second sealing is the final step in battery packaging, which ensures the safety and reliability of the battery during long-term use.
9、 Detection and screening
After the battery packaging is completed, a series of tests and screenings will be conducted. This includes using X-rays to inspect the internal structure of the battery to ensure that no short circuits or open circuits have occurred. Next, perform electrochemical performance tests, including battery capacity, internal resistance, and cycle life. These tests ensure that the battery meets standards in terms of performance and safety. Any battery that fails the test will be screened out to ensure that the products delivered to customers are of high quality.
10、 Battery cell capacity division
Capacity division is the process of testing the capacity of battery cells, with the aim of selecting batteries with qualified capacity. This step is crucial for ensuring the quality of battery products, ensuring that each battery cell can meet the minimum capacity requirements specified. The capacity division test will be conducted under specific temperature and voltage conditions to simulate the performance of the battery in actual use.
11、 Battery assembly
After passing the capacity division test, the battery cells will be assembled with the protective circuit board to form the finished battery. Protecting the circuit board can prevent overcharging, overdischarging, and short circuiting of the battery, improving the safety of the battery. During the assembly process, each battery cell is carefully inspected and placed to ensure the quality and performance of the final product.
12、 Battery pack design
The design of battery packs is a crucial step in ensuring the performance and safety of batteries in practical applications. Designers need to consider the structure of the battery pack, including heat dissipation design, mechanical fixation methods, and electrical connection schemes, to adapt to different application requirements. For example, for the battery pack of electric vehicles, designers need to consider how to place as many battery cells as possible in a limited space, while also ensuring that the weight and cost of the battery pack are within a controllable range.
13、 Battery pack assembly
Battery pack assembly is the process of assembling battery cells, circuit boards, cooling systems, and other components into a complete battery pack. This step requires precise process control to ensure the quality and performance of the battery pack. During the assembly process, each component is carefully installed in the designated location to ensure the overall performance and safety of the battery pack.
14、 Performance testing
After the battery pack is assembled, a comprehensive performance test will be conducted. This includes safety performance testing, electrical performance testing, and durability testing to ensure that the battery pack can operate reliably under various conditions. Performance testing is the last line of defense before delivering battery packs, and any battery pack that fails the test will be returned for rework or scrap.
15、 Quality control
Quality control is an important step in ensuring that battery products meet high standards. This step includes inspecting the appearance of the battery, testing its voltage and internal resistance, and conducting other necessary tests to ensure that the battery meets all quality requirements before leaving the factory. The quality control team will use various precision instruments and equipment to conduct strict inspections on every detail of the battery.
16、 Packaging
Packaging is the final step before battery delivery. This step requires ensuring that the battery is adequately protected during transportation and storage. The selection and design of packaging materials need to take into account the size, weight, and transportation distance of the battery. Packaging should not only protect the battery from physical damage, but also prevent the intrusion of moisture and dust.
17、 Warehousing and Logistics
After the battery packaging is completed, it will enter the warehousing and logistics stage. This stage requires proper storage of batteries and timely delivery based on customer orders. Logistics management is crucial for ensuring timely delivery of batteries. The warehousing and logistics teams need to work closely together to ensure that every step of the battery from the production line to the customer's hands is well-organized.
18、 Customer delivery
Ultimately, battery products will be delivered to customers according to order requirements. This step requires ensuring the delivery time and quality of the battery to meet customer expectations. Additional services such as installation guidance and on-site technical support may be required during the delivery process. Customer delivery is the endpoint of the entire battery production process and also the starting point for us to establish long-term cooperative relationships with customers.
summarize
The delivery process of lithium batteries is a complex process involving multiple links, which ensures that every step of the battery product from conceptual design to the end user's hands can meet the requirements of high performance, high safety, and high quality standards. Throughout the entire process, from the initial design and development, to the careful selection and preparation of materials, and to the precision manufacturing of battery cells, every step reflects attention to detail and exquisite technology.
The packaging stage is crucial for ensuring battery performance and safety, and both soft and hard packaging require extremely high precision and quality control. The steps of injection, pre sealing, formation, and settling further ensure the stability and reliability of the battery cell. Through strict testing and screening, unqualified products are eliminated before entering the market, ensuring that only the best quality batteries can pass.
The subsequent steps of battery cell capacity division, assembly, battery pack design and assembly, and performance testing are all aimed at creating a battery system that can provide long-lasting and stable power in practical applications. The strict testing in the quality control process once again ensures the excellent performance of the battery under various usage conditions.
