Lith Corporation, founded in 1998 by a group of material science doctor from Tsinghua University, has now become the leading manufacturer of battery lab&production equipment. Lith Corporation have production factories in shenzhen and xiamen of China.This allows for the possibility of providing high quality and low-cost precision machines for lab&production equipment,including: roller press, film coater,mixer, high-temperature furnace, glove box,and complete set of equipment for research of rechargeable battery materials. Simple to operate, low cost and commitment to our customers is our priority. 

What is an EV Car Battery Lab Line?

An EV (Electric Vehicle) Car Battery Lab Line is a smallscale, flexible production system designed for research, development, and testing of battery cells and packs. It serves as the foundation for innovation, enabling scientists, engineers, and startups to explore new battery chemistries, materials, cell formats, and manufacturing processes before moving to pilot or fullscale production.

Unlike mass production lines or pilot lines, a lab line focuses on experimentation, customization, and rapid iteration, making it ideal for:

 Academic research institutions
 Battery startups
 Material and equipment suppliers
 OEM R&D departments
 Governmentfunded energy labs

A wellequipped battery lab line allows teams to test hypotheses, validate novel technologies, and generate data that can inform future product development and scaling strategies.



Key Objectives of an EV Battery Lab Line

1. Research and Development
    Explore new battery chemistries (e.g., solidstate, lithiumsulfur, sodiumion)
    Test advanced materials like silicon anodes, highnickel cathodes, or grapheneenhanced electrodes
    Evaluate nextgeneration electrolytes (e.g., ionic liquids, solid electrolytes)

2. Process Innovation
    Develop and optimize electrode coating, drying, stacking, and welding techniques
    Study the impact of manufacturing parameters (e.g., pressure, temperature, speed) on cell performance
    Investigate dry electrode processes or alternative fabrication methods

3. Prototype Production
    Build small batches of experimental cells or modules
    Customize cell sizes, shapes, and configurations
    Assemble sample packs for integration testing with vehicle systems

4. Performance and Safety Testing
    Conduct charge/discharge cycles under various conditions
    Measure energy density, cycle life, and thermal stability
    Perform abuse testing (overcharge, nail penetration, crush, short circuit)

5. Data Generation for ScaleUp
    Collect process and performance data for modeling and simulation
    Identify scalability challenges early
    Support funding applications and investor pitches with tangible results



Types of EV Battery Lab Lines

Depending on the focus area, EV battery lab lines can be categorized into two main types:

  1. CellLevel Lab Line
 Focuses on individual battery cell development
 Covers all steps from electrode preparation to final cell assembly and testing
 Ideal for material scientists, electrochemists, and battery startups

  2. Module/PackLevel Lab Line
 Focuses on integration of cells into modules and battery packs
 Includes BMS testing, thermal management design, and mechanical packaging
 Often used by automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers during earlystage R&D



Key Stages in a CellLevel EV Battery Lab Line

  1. Material Preparation and Mixing

#  i. Slurry Preparation
 Mixing active materials (e.g., NMC, LFP), conductive additives, and binders
 Adjusting ratios to study formulation effects
 Can use planetary mixers or ball mills depending on scale

#  ii. Solvent Handling
 Managing volatile solvents safely in fume hoods or glove boxes
 Ensuring consistent viscosity and dispersion

  2. Electrode Coating and Drying

#  i. Coating
 Applying slurry onto current collectors (copper for anode, aluminum for cathode)
 Techniques include doctorblading, slotdie coating, or spray coating
 Allows control over coating thickness and uniformity

#  ii. Drying
 Removing solvents in controlled ovens
 Critical to avoid defects like cracking or delamination
 Parameters like temperature and time are closely monitored

#  iii. Calendering
 Compressing the dried electrode to achieve desired density and porosity
 Affects ion diffusion and electrical conductivity

#  iv. Slitting
 Cutting coated electrodes into strips of specific width
 Enables testing of different electrode dimensions and designs

  3. Electrode Assembly

#  i. Stacking or Winding
 For pouch/prismatic cells: stacking positive and negative electrodes with separators
 For cylindrical cells: winding the electrode jellyroll
 Precision is key to prevent internal shorts

#  ii. Casing Insertion
 Placing the electrode stack/jellyroll into the cell casing
 Allows testing of different casing materials and sealing methods

#  iii. Tab Welding
 Connecting electrode tabs to terminals using spot or laser welding
 Evaluates weld quality and electrical contact resistance

  4. Electrolyte Filling and Sealing

#  i. Electrolyte Filling
 Injecting liquid electrolyte in a dry room environment (<1% RH)
 Different formulations can be tested for performance and safety

#  ii. Sealing
 Hermetically closing the cell to prevent leakage
 Methods include crimping, laser welding, or ultrasonic sealing

  5. Formation and Aging

#  i. Formation
 Initial charge/discharge cycle to activate the cell
 Forms the SEI layer on the anode and stabilizes internal chemistry

#  ii. Aging
 Letting the cell rest under controlled conditions
 Helps identify defects like gas generation or internal shorts

  6. Testing and Characterization

#  i. Electrical Testing
 Measuring voltage, internal resistance, capacity, and efficiency
 Performing charge/discharge cycles at different rates and temperatures

#  ii. Thermal Testing
 Monitoring heat generation during operation
 Assessing thermal stability and safety margins

#  iii. Mechanical Testing
 Evaluating structural integrity under compression, vibration, or shock

#  iv. Abuse Testing
 Simulating extreme conditions (overcharge, external short, crush, thermal runaway)
 Validating safety features and failure modes



Key Stages in a Module/PackLevel EV Battery Lab Line

  1. Cell Inspection and Matching

 Measuring voltage, capacity, and internal resistance

 Grouping similarperforming cells to ensure pack balance

Lithium Battery Testing Equipment

  2. Module Assembly

#  i. Cell Stacking
 Arranging cells into module configurations
 Testing mechanical layouts and thermal interface strategies

#  ii. Busbar Connection
 Connecting cells electrically using spot or laser welding
 Studying different connection topologies and materials

#  iii. TIM Application
 Applying thermal paste or pads between cells and cooling plates
 Testing different TIMs for heat dissipation

#  iv. Housing Installation
 Enclosing the module in protective trays
 Evaluating mechanical fit and structural strength

  3. Pack Integration

#  i. Module Placement
 Installing modules into the battery enclosure
 Testing different pack layouts and mounting techniques

#  ii. BMS Installation
 Mounting and connecting the Battery Management System
 Validating communication protocols and monitoring accuracy

#  iii. Cooling System Integration
 Installing air ducts or liquid cooling plates
 Testing thermal performance under simulated loads

#  iv. Wiring and Harnessing
 Routing highvoltage cables and CAN communication lines
 Ensuring proper insulation and routing paths

#  v. Final Assembly and Leak Testing
 Closing and sealing the battery enclosure
 Performing leak tests for liquidcooled systems

  4. Final Testing and Validation

#  i. Functional Testing
 Verifying BMS communication and control functions
 Simulating realworld driving conditions

#  ii. Performance Testing
 Measuring packlevel energy, power, and efficiency
 Conducting dynamic load profiles and drive cycles

#  iii. Safety and Reliability Testing
 Performing overcurrent, short circuit, and thermal runaway simulations
 Subjecting packs to environmental stress (vibration, humidity, temperature extremes)



Supporting Systems in an EV Battery Lab Line

To support accurate experimentation and safe operations, several critical supporting systems are integrated:

  1. Dry Rooms and Glove Boxes
 Maintain ultralow humidity (<1% RH) for moisturesensitive processes
 Essential for electrolyte filling and lithium metal handling

  2. Fire Suppression and Safety Systems
 Gas suppression systems to protect against thermal events
 Emergency shutdowns and explosionproof enclosures

  3. Environmental Chambers
 Simulate realworld operating conditions
 Test thermal behavior under extreme temperatures and humidity

  4. Data Acquisition and Analysis Tools
 Realtime monitoring of voltage, current, temperature
 Software tools for postprocessing and visualization (e.g., MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW)

  5. MESLike Tracking Systems
 Not full MES, but basic tracking of batches, experiments, and process logs
 Supports traceability and repeatability



Benefits of an EV Battery Lab Line

 Supports fundamental research and exploration of new technologies  
 Enables fast iteration and hypothesis testing  
 Reduces risk before investing in largerscale infrastructure  
 Facilitates collaboration between academia and industry  
 Generates proofofconcept data for funding and partnerships  
 Trains students and engineers in handson battery development  
 Provides insights into scalability challenges  



Design Considerations for an EV Battery Lab Line

When setting up your EV battery lab line, consider the following factors:

 Scope – celllevel, module/packlevel, or both?  
 Battery Chemistry – Liion, solidstate, sodiumion, etc.?  
 Cell Format – cylindrical, pouch, prismatic, or custom?  
 Throughput – number of cells or modules per week/month  
 Level of Automation – manual, semiautomatic, or limited automation  
 Space and Infrastructure – clean/dry room requirements, ventilation, utilities  
 Safety Features – fire suppression, emergency systems, PPE  
 Budget and Funding Sources – grants, investors, institutional support  



Leading Companies Providing EV Battery Lab Line Equipment

Several global companies offer labscale solutions or components tailored for battery R&D:

 MTI Corporation – Complete labscale battery equipment and glove boxes  
 Brucker & Kjaer Electrochemistry – Advanced testing systems  
 Gamry Instruments – Electrochemical analyzers and cyclers  
 Neware, Bitrode – Battery testing and formation systems  
 Enerize Corporation – Labscale coating and assembly machines  
 Hanson Robotics, Gree EnergyTech – Smallscale assembly and integration tools  
 Trumpf, Coherent, IPG Photonics – Laser welding systems  
 Solvay, BASF, 3M – Material and chemical suppliers for testing  



Need Help Setting Up or Optimizing Your EV Battery Lab Line?

If you're looking to design, build, or optimize your EV battery lab line, I can help you with:

 Lab layout planning – including dry rooms, workstations, and safety zones  
 Equipment selection – recommending bestinclass tools for your scope  
 Process flow design – from mixing to final testing  
 Material sourcing – identifying reliable suppliers for chemicals and components  
 Training and SOP development – ensuring safe and repeatable operations  
 Cost estimation – budgeting based on your lab’s size and goals  

All you need to do is provide the following information:

 Battery type and chemistry (e.g., NMC, LFP, solidstate)  
 Cell format preference (pouch, cylindrical, prismatic, or custom)  
 Number of cells/modules to produce per month  
 Available space and infrastructure details  
 Current team expertise and goals (academic, startup, industrial R&D)