Opened in 2025, Pilot Line 2 is located at U-M’s new 8,000 sq. ft. Battery Lab on Ellsworth Road. This state-of-the-art line was designed to expand capacity for industry and academic users, with a fully climate-controlled dry room (–40 °C dew point) and advanced automation for cylindrical and pouch cell formats.
Pilot Line 2 can produce hundreds of cells per week, supporting applications from prototyping to validation and scale-up. Its expanded capabilities make it ideal for users preparing next-generation chemistries, developing new processes, or demonstrating manufacturability to investors and partners.
Equipment Overview
Electrode Processing
- Precision slurry mixing
- Slot-die coating and calendaring
- Automated material handling for consistent quality
Cell Fabrication
- Cylindrical cells – 21700 format (5 Ah max)
- Pouch cells – 100 × 150 mm format (up to ~30 Ah)
- Automated stacking and welding
Module & Pack Assembly
- Robotic laser welding with the Manz BLS-500 system
- Automated tabbing and sealing for consistent, production-quality modules and packs
Environmental Control
- Fully climate-controlled dry room (–40 °C dew point)
- High-purity air handling and integrated safety systems
