TOKK Linear Module Empowers 18650 Battery X-Ray Testing Equipment

The production process of 18650 batteries includes multiple stages such as electrode coating, winding/stacking, packaging, liquid injection, and formation, each of which may introduce quality defects. In the manufacturing process of polarizer and battery cells, it is necessary to check the uniformity of the polarizer coating, whether there are bubbles or cracks, to avoid unstable battery performance caused by coating defects; Observing the winding or stacking structure of the internal pole pieces of the battery cell through X-ray, ensuring the alignment of the positive and negative pole pieces, uniform distribution of the diaphragm layer, and preventing the risk of short circuit; Simultaneously identify possible metal debris, dust, and other foreign objects inside the battery cell to prevent them from piercing the separator and causing battery failure. In the process of battery cell packaging and assembly, it is necessary to check whether there are any issues such as virtual soldering, leakage soldering, or welding penetration at the welding parts between the battery shell and the terminal ears to ensure the sealing of the packaging; Check whether the electrode deformation and membrane wrinkling caused by compression during the packaging process of the battery cell affect the safety performance of the battery.

With the continuous improvement of battery safety requirements for new energy vehicles and energy storage systems, X-ray inspection has evolved from traditional sampling mode to online full inspection direction. This poses extremely high requirements for the motion system of the detection equipment: the detection components need to maintain micrometer level positioning accuracy during high-speed motion to ensure accurate X-ray penetration positions; Batteries need to be quickly circulated between different workstations to match the production line rhythm; The equipment needs to operate continuously and stably for 24 hours to ensure consistency and reliability of testing.

In the 18650 battery X-ray detection equipment, TOKK provides multiple sets of linear modules to undertake different motion tasks such as battery loading, positioning, and scanning. These modules, with their comprehensive performance of high precision, high rigidity, and high reliability, jointly support the full process automation inspection from electrode coating detection to internal structure analysis of battery cells.

High precision positioning ensures accurate coverage of the detection area

X-Ray detection requires a highly precise relative position between the X-ray source and detector, and the battery must be accurately placed into the detection field of view. The repeated positioning accuracy of TOKK linear module can reach micrometer level, which can ensure the accurate position of the battery at the detection station. In the detection of polar coating, the module drives the battery to pass through the X-ray scanning area with precise step spacing, enabling the system to obtain the surface density information of the coating per unit length in both horizontal and vertical directions, providing a reliable data basis for coating uniformity analysis. In the alignment detection of winding, precise position control ensures that X-rays can penetrate key areas of the polarizer, accurately determining whether the positive and negative polarizer are aligned and whether the diaphragm is wrinkled.

High rigidity structure ensures stability during high-speed operation

X-Ray inspection equipment usually needs to be connected to battery production lines for online operation, with fast production cycles and long continuous operation times. The TOKK linear module adopts a high rigidity structure design, which can maintain smooth and vibration free motion even under high-speed reciprocating motion and heavy load conditions, ensuring that the relative position between the battery, X-ray source, and detector does not deviate during the detection process, avoiding image blurring or misjudgment caused by motion vibration.

Multi mode group collaboration, covering the entire process of detection requirements

The 18650 battery X-ray inspection equipment involves multiple processes such as battery loading, positioning, inspection, classification, and unloading, and different workstations have different requirements for the motion system. The multiple sets of linear modules provided by TOKK work together in the equipment: some modules are responsible for the high-speed transfer and circulation of batteries on the track, some modules are responsible for the precise positioning and attitude adjustment of batteries at the testing station, and another module drives the X-ray detection component to complete the scanning motion. The collaborative cooperation of multiple modules enables the equipment to complete the complete process from battery loading to detection result output in a fully automated manner, achieving full automation and high-speed operation of the detection process.

Long life maintenance free, suitable for 7 × 24-hour continuous production

The lithium battery manufacturing production line is usually in continuous operation mode, and equipment shutdown will cause significant capacity losses. The TOKK linear module adopts high-quality screw and dust-proof structure, with good wear resistance, excellent precision retention, long maintenance cycle, which can effectively reduce the frequency of equipment shutdown maintenance, ensure the consistency of accuracy of X-Ray detection equipment during long-term continuous operation, and meet the high reliability requirements of the production line for equipment.

The 18650 battery X-ray detection equipment equipped with TOKK linear module has achieved significant benefits in actual production:

Detection accuracy guarantee: Micro level repetitive positioning accuracy ensures that the battery is accurately sent into the detection field of view, and X-rays can accurately penetrate key detection areas, avoiding missed or misjudged detections caused by positioning deviations.

Improved detection efficiency: High speed and high dynamic response characteristics shorten the detection cycle of a single battery, significantly increase equipment capacity, and adapt to the online full inspection needs of production lines.

Stable and reliable operation: The high rigidity structure and long-life design ensure consistent accuracy of the equipment during 7 × 24-hour continuous operation, reducing maintenance costs and downtime risks.

Full process automation: The collaborative cooperation of multiple modules enables fully automated operations from battery loading to detection completion, significantly reducing manual intervention and improving detection consistency.

This solution has been successfully applied in the 18650 battery X-ray inspection equipment, covering multiple key links such as electrode coating detection, cell winding alignment detection, internal foreign object detection, welding quality detection, etc., helping customers achieve automation upgrade of lithium battery quality control.

From the uniformity of coating on the polarizer to the integrity of the internal structure of the battery cell, from the reliability of welding to the sealing of packaging, every quality level of 18650 batteries cannot be separated from the "perspective eye" of X-ray detection technology. Behind this security line is the precise adherence of the precision motion system day after day. The TOKK linear module provides a reliable motion solution for 18650 battery X-ray detection equipment with its core advantages of high precision, high rigidity, and high reliability. In the future, TOKK will continue to delve into the field of precision motion control, helping lithium battery manufacturing move towards higher quality and safety.