Characterization and process optimization of remote laser cutting of current collectors for battery electrode production

Aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu) metal foils of thickness 6-20 mu m are employed as current collectors for the production of Li-ion battery cathodes and anodes. Greater demand for this product is driving up production rate requirements, especially in the field of car manufacturing. Laser-based cutting processes for trimming and cutting electrodes are considered suitable for meeting this demand as they can achieve very high throughput while maintaining process quality. In order to meet market requirements, laser manufacturers are developing new laser sources, optics, and scanning heads that will improve process productivity and quality. Establishing the relationship between the laser system and cut quality will lead to competitiveness, increased productivity, and sustainability production. This paper presents a thorough analysis of the cutting performance of pulsed and continuous-wave lasers with scanning speeds of up to 28 m/s for processing thin Al and Cu current collectors. Comparisons between process outcomes are made in terms of maximum and minimum cutting speed and power, kerf geometry, cut quality, and presence of defects. Identification of configurations leading to high and low cut quality enables detailed process parameter windows to be defined for both laser system systems employing continuous-wave and pulsed sources. By analyzing correlations between the materials, laser source, and process variables, the main outcome is that continuous-wave single-mode fiber lasers enable highest cut quality in the high-productivity regime, surpassing the current state-of-the-art in laser cutting of metal foils.