Pilot Line 1

U-M Battery Lab/Pilot Line 1
Pilot Line 1

Pilot Line 1, also referred to as “the Phoenix line,”  offers near industrial-scale material processing for electrode and cell fabrication using automated, reel-to-reel equipment. With between one and ten kilograms of active material, after a five-day visit, users can leave with up to 200 cells (18650 cylindricals or up to 15 amp-hour pouch cells). 

Users have relied on the U-M Pilot Line for everything from new material research to product validation. 

The line starts in our humidity-controlled main lab with overhead planetary mixing of electrode slurries and progresses through reel-to-reel coating and calendering before moving to a -40 degrees Celsius dew point dry room for automated cell assembly. 

Pilot Line 1 is located on U-M North Campus. It reserves as a single user unit for privacy and IP protection.

Pilot Line 1 Equipment List

10% RH Electrode Processing 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

-40°C Dewpoint Cell Assembly 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