Pilot Line 1 – Phoenix Facility (Battery Lab 1.0)

U-M Battery Lab/Pilot Line 1 – Phoenix Facility (Battery Lab 1.0)
Large battery lab work area, with workers in background

Pilot Line 1, located at U-M’s Phoenix Memorial Laboratory on North Campus, offers near industrial-scale processing for electrode and cell fabrication using automated, reel-to-reel equipment. With as little as one kilogram and up to ten kilograms of active material, users can complete a five-day run and leave with as many as 200 cells – either 18650 cylindricals or pouch cells up to 15 Ah.

This line has supported projects ranging from early-stage materials research to product validation for industry. It operates as a single-user unit, ensuring privacy and IP protection.

The process begins in a humidity-controlled room with slurry mixing and reel-to-reel coating and calendaring, then moves to a -40 °C dew point dry room for automated cell assembly.

Equipment Overview

Electrode Processing (10% RH Room)

  • Mixing – Multiple options, including:
    • 5 L Primix double helical mixer with high speed dispersion blade
    • 10 L Primix double helical mixer with high speed dispersion blade
    • Primix Filmix high speed homogenizer
  • Coating – one coater with multiple  configurations for your needs:
    • CIS reel-to-reel coater
      • Slot Die
      • Reverse Comma
      • Micro-gravure
    • 300 mm maximum web width
    • Up to 5 m/min web speed
    • Two drying zones:
      • 2 m with IR and convection
      • 2 m with convection
    • Full digital control for edge position, tension, pattern coating, etc.
Close up showing metal equipment labeled 22 and 21
  • Calendering – CIS reel-to-reel
    • 300 mm maximum web width
    • Up to 10 m/min web speed
    • 150° C heated rolls
    • 20 kN/cm compaction force
    • Full digital control for edge position, tension, etc.
  • Slitting – CIS reel-to-reel, fixed width for 18650 anode and cathode electrodes.
  • Pouch Forming – mPlus hydraulic pouch forming machine, max. draw depth of 5.5 mm

Cell Assembly (-40°C Dewpoint Dry Room)

Cell assembly area, with workers in background
  • Pouch cell assembly machines supplied by mPlus – Final cell footprint: 72*110 mm
    • Die punch (max. web width 190 mm)
    • Z-fold stacker
    • Ultrasonic welder
    • Bag sealer
    • Electrolyte injection
    • Vacuum sealer and degassing

  • 18650 cell assembly machines supplied by mPlus and KOEM
    • KOEM reel-to-reel jellyroll winder
    • Anode resistance welder
    • Swaging
    • Beading
    • Electrolyte injection
    • Cathode laser welder
    • Cell crimp and seal
  • General
    • Vacuum ovens (x3)
    • Bag sealer
    • Vacuum sealer