German machine tool and laser technology supplier TRUMPF has developed new laser applications for preparing adhesives and coatings in battery production and for protecting aluminum components from corrosion.
The company said that coating or laminating the battery cells before sticking them into modules or trays protects against short circuits and environmental effects, increasing the safety and service life of the battery cells. Before applying coatings and adhesives, manufacturers clean the cells and specific areas of battery trays using short-pulse lasers, which strike the surface of the material without damaging the material itself.
To protect car body components from grinding, the laser homogenizes the surface by selectively remelting a few micrometers and then quickly quenching it, making the aluminum components corrosion-resistant. In tests in which parts treated in this way were sprayed with salt water for hours, no signs of corrosion showed cracks, TRUMPF said.
To process large surfaces, such as aluminum components, users use PFO33 scanner optics with TRUMPF’s TruMicro 7000 series pulsed laser. The PFO33 contains mirrors that move laser pulses through the component at speeds of up to several meters per second.
This allows short cycle times, which is crucial for series production cars. Local extraction removes smoke, particles and aerosols that are produced during laser treatment and can interfere with the treatment process.
“Selective laser surface treatment is a clean and fast alternative to chemical processes in the automotive industry, for example to achieve high adhesive strength for adhesives or coatings,” said Volkan Yavuz, responsible for laser surface treatment at TRUMPF. “Our lasers reliably remove oils, rust, oxides and other residues, and ensure stable, long-term adhesion of paint and adhesives, without the use of aggressive chemicals or mechanical rubbing. This technology is not a dream of the future: it is used not only for mass broadcast components, but also for electric motor housings for electric cars.”
Source: Trumpf
