When producing battery packs, it's crucial to apply an insulating layer for prismatic cell formats. Two main technologies are used for large-scale production: coating and wrapping the battery cell package. However, coating technology can have inaccuracies, particularly in the edge areas or for slightly convex or concave cell packages. This study investigated a UV wrapping with epoxy technology that could eliminate these issues.
The study focused on applying UV coating and UV wrapping with epoxy technology to create an insulating layer for battery cell housing before integrating it into a battery pack.
To begin, we needed to establish specific requirements for both the cell and its coating. We established evaluation criteria to compare the two technologies. The coating technology had slightly lower costs, while the UV wrapping with epoxy had advantages in processing time and quality. We evaluated both technologies based on time, cost, quality, sustainability, and process control. We found that pre-treatment with a laser was only necessary for UV coating technology, which gave UV wrapping with epoxy an advantage. The subsequent cleaning step was required for both technologies. UV wrapping with epoxy had advantages in the coating process and drying step, as multiple coats of paint were not required. It also had a more uniform coating thickness at the edge areas, making the end-of-line test and post-processing easier. UV wrapping with epoxy technology was successful in all process steps and we will continue to examine the products further.
As a multinational company, tesa has been developing innovative adhesive tapes and self-adhesive product solutions for industry, commercial customers, and consumers for 125 years. There are already more than 7,000 adhesive solutions that help improve customers' work, products, or lives. Sustainability and energy-saving processes are the focus here today. tesa invests in the development of environmentally friendly products and solvent-free production processes as well as in the use of renewable energy sources at its locations.
tesa is active in over 100 countries and operates plants in Germany, Italy, China, the United States, and, in the future, Vietnam. Applications for industry account for around three quarters of the tesa Group's sales (2022: EUR 1.7 Mrd. Euro). tesa works with its international customers to develop customized innovations at the product and process level. For example, more than 130 tesa tapes can already be installed in an e-car and more than 70 in a smartphone. In the printing and construction industries, too, tesa is penetrating ever new segments and countries with its specialty adhesive tapes. The company generates just under a quarter of its sales with products for end consumers and professional craftsmen. 300 applications, such as the legendary tesafilm, make life easier or, as in the case of insect repellent, even a little more pleasant. tesa is one of the world's leading manufacturers of adhesive solutions. Since 2001, tesa SE has been operating as a wholly owned and independent affiliate of Beiersdorf AG (including NIVEA, Eucerin, la prairie), with around 5,000 employees today.
Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB 