
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.
- CIS reel-to-reel coater

- 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)

- 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