Multi-scale simulation of laser welding for optimal battery pack manufacturing - LaserBATMAN

Project summary

The use and production of batteries in the automotive industry began roughly a decade ago with the purpose and aim to produce highway-capable long range electric vehicles. With the current increased demand in industry to produce more efficient energy sources, the manufacturing of electric components need be of high quality and assure the intended performance. This has not yet been fully addressed from an industrial perspective due to short development times. The project will study and optimize joining processes for different stages of battery manufacturing, from battery cells to battery packs. Laser welding is the preferred method of joining and effects related to e.g. residual stress, heat transfer, defects and resulting electrical resistance will be studied and optimized as well. Simulations of the assembled battery packs will enable industry to optimize for example laser process parameters for the joining processes and thereby maximize the efficiency and quality of production.