We provide device solutions for key materials and components in advanced industries such as fuel cells, batteries, electric vehicles, and sensors. Laser optics, SW/HW embedded, machine vision, and motion control technologies are integrated into one stack to perform complete laser processing in various scenarios.
The slurry-coated coated foil passes through the drying facility while maintaining an appropriate tension to prevent drying. In the case of a convection dryer, the intensive travels at a speed of 35 to 80 meters per minute over a long path of up to 100 meters. As slurry moisture is slowly removed at a high temperature of 160 °C, active moisture settles on the surface, and a significant amount of energy is concentrated during this process. Laser drying systems with BEAM SHAPING technology can not only reduce the size of the facility to 10 meters, but also reduce energy consumption by up to 50%.
Notching is a process of molding a “tap (-: Anode, +: Cathode)” on the metal foil of an electrode that has been slitting. While the electrodes wound on the roll-to-roll equipment are continuously loosened, the laser shapes the notch at high speed according to the customer's desired design.
A battery tab is a positive and negative connector that transfers the cell's current to the outside. Since the cell tab is connected to the module bus bar and the module consists of a pack, lasers are an optimal solution for performing thousands of welds from individual cells to the final terminal.
In the case of a rectangular battery, it has a relatively stable structure for internal gas pressure. Since there are no restrictions on the choice of anode, cathode, and electrolyte materials, they have the advantage of greater room for energy density improvement and can be more easily combined into battery modules compared to cylindrical ones.
Terminal welding after insertion of JELLY ROLL and sealing after FIXTE filling are performed. Cylindrical cells have very thin sheets, so if the depth is not precisely controlled, the material as well as the inside of the cell will be damaged. The keyhole created by the fiber laser's fine spot can perform the liquefaction and cooling process of the metal very quickly while minimizing unnecessary deformation.
The POUCH CELL is relatively lightweight and flexible because it does not use metal enclosures, and boasts a packaging efficiency of 90 to 90%. A laser system equipped with SMART FOCUSING and VISION is required to maximize volume without affecting the lamination structure of the anode and cathode due to pouch sealing.
In order for multiple cells to be combined into a battery module, highly conductive bus bars such as aluminum and copper must connect the cells into a single assembly. Although the initial cost is high compared to other methods, lasers are superior in energy efficiency and low maintenance costs. In particular, since consistent quality work is performed at a high speed, it shows excellent productivity for connecting bus bars and terminals, which increase exponentially with the size of the module.
Visual inspection of welds and image matching inspections have limitations in determining process defects. An electrical ohmmeter can also be used as a non-destructive test, but the measurement takes a long time and the high voltage in the battery pack also damages the device. K2 implements proactive quality control by applying SEAM TRACKING and OCT to measure melt depth at the same time as laser welding.
K2 Laser aims for a system that considers not only process quality and productivity, but also worker convenience and safety. We are making proven processes and facilities based on technology development and demonstration for lasers and optical systems. We will always fulfill customer needs at the forefront of mobility electrification, such as drives, controls, batteries, and cameras.
As the electrification of vehicles accelerates, the number of motors used increases exponentially, and on average, 30 to 50 motors are used, and in the case of luxury cars, about 100 motors are used. In the press process for manufacturing motor cores, automatically connecting coils with a laser not only increases work continuity, but also contributes to improving cost competitiveness by reducing the amount of discarded scrap.
Electric vehicle motors are an important part directly related to vehicle performance and energy efficiency. The hairpin-shaped design provides higher torque and output compared to ROUND WIRE as a solution to reduce interference. Since copper bars with both ends removed must be wound and inserted in a U-shape, precision system design is essential.
Airbags are the last bastion for protecting lives in the event of a vehicle accident. It does not respond to shocks absorbed during the vehicle's daily driving, but if it can cause injury, the CRASH PAD must be torn apart to protect the occupants. To increase the reliability of safety devices, all structures must operate in an analog manner, and LASER SCORING enables higher quality and more flexible work compared to physical methods using knives.
Advanced lighting solutions for autonomous driving are evolving. Plastic transmission welding using a laser achieves excellent joint tightness without affecting the electronics mounted inside the lamp. The K2 laser system's simultaneous irradiation method is the most advanced type of laser transmission welding method. All seam lines are processed at once without changing the position of the beam to block movement and porosity.
