Factors to consider when measuring thickness in battery production

But Glenn Wedgbrow, Business Development Manager at Micro-Epsilon UK, asks, what are the challenges in making reliable thickness measurements?

The growing demand for energy storage devices, such as lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells, is being met by
Giga factories that are equipped with efficient, highly automated production technologies. Sensors are required to monitor the production line to the highest accuracy and dynamics. These sensors include high-precision distance sensors, infrared temperature measurement technology, as well as
2D/3D profile sensors for the many measurement tasks involved in battery production, such as electrode manufacturing, assembly and forming processes.

In battery production, one of the key quality control parameters is the thickness (and width) of film and
strip materials, wet layers, and electrode coatings. These require sensors that measure thickness reliably as the material is being processed (inline) – helping to optimise production yields, while minimising waste. All manufacturers will have a process specification that
they will need to meet, to satisfy their customers. But how can a manufacturer be sure that they are meeting these specifications at all times and what are the challenges they face?

Read the full article in the August issue of DPA