Smashing energy costs for battery makers and many surface heat treatments
High-efficiency diode lasers from Laserline look set to become pivotal for the nascent local battery industry as industry realises incentives under the government’s Future Made in Australia Act and National Battery Strategy.
Economical, modular, high-power diode lasers from Laserline are setting new standards for efficiency in surface heat treatments, which are crucial to numerous manufacturing processes. These include hardening, curing powder coatings, and drying offset colours, as well as drying fuel cells and battery foils.
Drying electrodes for lithium-ion batteries is the most expensive step in their production, incurring about 20% of the cost. Therefore, the latest efficiencies of laser drying could revolutionise battery production and other surface heat treatments.
Laserline’s new OTX range of optics and high-efficiency diode lasers create extra-wide beams of 1.5 metres or more, ideal for heat-treating large surfaces required for electrode drying in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries.
Dr Cedric Chaminade, Technical Director and physicist at Raymax Applications, which distributes Laserline’s diode lasers, says Raymax is excited to supply this technology to Australasia, where governments are backing manufacturing innovations toward clean energy and net zero.
“Many manufacturers whose processes use heat treatments will find drying with diode lasers is far more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly than the now widely used convection oven drying,” says Dr Chaminade.
The semiconductor-based, direct conversion of mains power into laser radiation without fossil fuels also enables precise energy use, making it far more efficient than gas-based convection ovens and high-maintenance infrared lamps.
“In a world grappling with gas shortages and climbing energy costs, diode laser-based drying could supersede convective drying and has the potential to revolutionise the manufacturing of electrodes for lithium-ion batteries.”
“The ability of Laserline’s LDF series to focus the laser beam and to switch it on and off within a fraction of a second, enables such an exacting use of energy that a minimum is introduced to the job as needed by the drying process,” says Dr Chaminade, “So the process could be an energy-saving game-changer for the emerging battery industry in Australia.”
Laserline has optimised its diode lasers for higher wall-plug efficiency to beat conventional technologies (gas ovens) in terms of running costs.
“Diode lasers feature high wall-plug efficiency of about 50% – or the ratio of optical output power to the input electrical power – which is a far cleaner and more efficient power use than alternatives such as gas or infra-red lamps.”
These high-powered diode lasers, based on Laserline’s 25 years of patented technology, offer scalable laser power from 15kW upgradable to 30kW on-site; up to 50kW is also available. Power efficiency features include minimal energy waste and instant temperature control, as no pre-heating is needed. Temperatures are controlled by a closed-loop, remote-sensing thermometer.
In demonstrations in Germany, the energy efficiencies of laser systems configured with convection dryers for faster throughput have created energy savings of 19%. Energy savings will increase as wall-plug efficiencies continue to improve too.
“The icing on the cake is the quality of the final job is also improved by the process when using Laserline’s direct diode lasers,” says Dr Chaminade.
Raymax Applications has provided the latest lasers and optics to industry and academia across Australia and New Zealand since 1992. With over 30 years of experience in ‘making light work for you’, Raymax’s physicists and factory-trained engineers specialise in the interaction between materials and light. Raymax is a trusted partner for advice and support on the best systems tailored to your needs. We can demonstrate the concept in our lab and oversee integration, installation, training, and ongoing service. Visit Raymax.com.au
Raymax Applications has brought the latest lasers and optics to industry and academia in Australia and New Zealand since 1992. With more than 30 years experience in ‘making light work for you’, Raymax physicists and factory-trained engineers are experts in the interaction between materials and light. Raymax is a trusted partner for advice and support on the best system for your needs. Raymax can prove the concept in our lab and manage integration, installation, training, and ongoing service.