Battery Laser Marking

Using LXQ and LXQ-HP fiber lasers, Laserax can mark on battery cell cans (nickel-plated steel, aluminum or stainless steel). The picture that follows shows the result of a super fast laser mark.

The marking times that follow include the PLC’s communication delays, hence representing the real part-to-part takt time for the marking operation.

Cylindrical cell batteries store electrical energy in thin electrode foil sheets called jelly rolls. These sheets made of aluminium (cathode) and copper (anode) are rolled inside the battery casing. Marking the jelly roll substrate helps validate the battery cell assembly in the manufacturing process. Marking such fragile materials with laser requires specific conditions.

Conditions to achieve laser marking on jelly roll electrodes:

• High precision industrial laser
• Least reflective metal possible
• Flat surface material presentation to the laser

Marking the jelly roll on the fly is challenging because the marking needs to be visible without affecting the material’s properties. All of this needs to be done within a short cycle time. The micron-level precision of an industrial laser is essential to avoid any damage while marking thin metal surfaces.

Laserax can mark data matrix codes (DMC) on aluminum and copper foil at high speed without damaging the electrodes. The results below show marking times at different conveyor speeds.