Web splitting device for feeding electrodes to battery stacker

Abstract

Techniques for reducing out-of-plane protrusions while segmenting electrodes from a web are disclosed. In some embodiments, a feed roller feeds a perforated web from a reel, a tear and locate roller receives a portion of the perforated web from the feed roller, and a servo motor varies a speed of at least one of the feed roller and the tear and locate roller to produce a tear force applied to the portion of the perforated web, the tearing force divides the portion into a predetermined electrode shape.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to preparing electrodes for battery stack production. In particular, the present disclosure relates to singulating electrodes from a coil. Background Art

[0002] A web is a continuous roll of flexible material (such as paper, film, or foil) that is being processed, converted, or printed. The web can be cut into sheets during the manufacturing process or fed to a converter or printing press in a continuous form.

[0003] Some batteries are formed by alternating layers of cathode, insulating separator, and anode. In z-folded embodiments, the separator is a continuous layer that is folded back and forth (z-folded) between alternating anode and cathode layers to form the stack. In other embodiments, discrete separator layers are used.

[0004] The battery design itself doesn't allow for the individual layer edges to be aligned to a common datum. To avoid failure, the anode should not have electrical contact with the adjacent cathode. To this end, the anode and cathode are typically mismatched in size and aligned in center, leaving a physical boundary of approximately three millimeters between adjacent anode and cathode layers.

[0005] Because the separator layer is folded or placed between electrodes, specific tolerance requirements exist for burrs and spikes protruding from the major surface of the electrode toward the facing major surface of the separator. Such burrs and spikes are sometimes caused by the process of slicing the electrodes from the web. These undesirable production defects can contact and damage the flat surface of the separator material. Summary of the Invention

[0006] By using the methods and systems disclosed herein, electrodes can be separated from a stack by creating a tear line and then torn from the web by applying pressure along the created tear line.

[0007] Because the severing force is applied in the direction of web transport, tension reduces the generation of undesirable burrs, spikes, and other major surface defects that extend upward or downward along the severing line and protrude into the flat surface, as would occur if cutting forces were applied to the material. For example, knives, punches, lasers, and the like typically produce defects / chips that protrude from the plane of the electrode, while perforation and tearing technologies tend to produce in-plane defects, chips, or sharp edges. Compared to severing and tearing processes, perforation and tearing also allows perforations to be performed upstream, even at different locations. This not only makes the overall process more efficient, but also allows the perforated web to be cleaned and / or inspected prior to the severing process.

[0008] In addition to addressing burrs and spikes protruding from the flat surface of the electrode, the perforation pattern can be optimized to prevent the tear edge from being the portion of the electrode that protrudes most from the segmented electrode. This prevents potentially rough or sharp edges from contacting any adjacent material. Consequently, the resulting tear shape (i.e., rough edge) can be optimized to better interact with the separator and cell density.

[0009] According to one aspect, a method for splitting electrodes is provided. The method includes creating a tear line between adjacent electrodes in a web, feeding the web through a splitting device, and applying a force to the web using the splitting device to tear the electrodes from the web along the created tear line. In some embodiments, creating the tear line can occur at a location separate from other steps, and the web can be transferred from that location to the splitting device. Applying the force can include operating a pair of tearing and registering rollers at a faster speed than a pair of feed rollers feeding the web to the pair of tearing and registering rollers.

[0010] According to another aspect, a severing system for severing electrodes from a web is provided. The system includes a feed roller for feeding the web from a roll and a tearing and registering roller for receiving a portion of the web from the feed roller. The system also includes a controllable motor for varying the speed of at least one of the feed roller and the tearing and registering roller to generate a tearing force that is applied to a created tear line along the web to sever the portion of the web according to a predefined electrode shape.

[0011] Other aspects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] To facilitate identification of the discussion of any particular element or act, the first digit(s) in a reference number indicates the figure number in which the element is first introduced.

[0013] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a z-fold stacker according to one embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 is an isometric view of a slit, perforated, and coated web according to one embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 is an isometric view of a processed web being divided according to one embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An enlarged isometric view of the segmentation device is shown.

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 An enlarged isometric view of the tearing and registration rollers, vacuum conveyor, and pick-up mechanism is shown.

[0018] Figure 6 It is a top view of a portion of the dotted perforation line, with the dividing line shown magnified.

[0019] Figure 7 A top view of a portion of the scalloped perforation line, with the dividing line shown magnified.

[0020] Figure 8 It is a top view of a portion of the trapezoidal perforation line, with the dividing line shown magnified.

[0021] Figure 9 is an isometric view of a segmentation device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Figure 1 A simplified diagram of a z-fold stacking machine 100 is shown, according to one embodiment. The z-fold stacking machine 100 includes a first electrode delivery system 102 for providing a first electrode material 104 (e.g., copper anodes 106); a second electrode delivery system 108 for providing a second electrode material 110 (e.g., aluminum cathodes 112); and a central assembly system 114 for providing a separator 116, which is z-folded along with the electrodes to form a battery stack 118. In the z-fold configuration, the separator 116 is not divided into discrete layers, but rather forms a single continuous layer that is folded back and forth between alternating anodes and cathodes.

[0023] In battery stack 118, the copper anodes 106 and aluminum cathodes 112 are typically mismatched in size and center-aligned (i.e., they lack a common edge reference), resulting in a 3 mm physical boundary between adjacent anode and cathode layers. The Z-fold stacker 100 is designed to meet this centering requirement, typically with an accuracy of approximately 0.25 mm. The Z-fold stacker 100 can accommodate a variety of electrode sizes.

[0024] In the example of the z-fold stacker 100, the first electrode delivery system 102 includes a first roll 120 of electrode material 104. As the electrode material 104 is pulled from the first roll 120 by a conveyor 122 or other transport mechanism, a segmenting device 124 separates the electrode material 104 to form first electrodes 126 segmented from the first roll 120.

[0025] Likewise, the second electrode delivery system 108 includes a second roll 128 of electrode material 110. As the electrode material 110 is pulled from the second roll 128 by a conveyor 130 or other transport mechanism, a segmenting device 132 separates the electrode material 110 to form second electrodes 134 segmented from the second roll 128.

[0026] The central assembly system 114 includes three eccentrically rotatable multi-faceted grippers, the details of which are described in detail below. Each eccentrically rotatable multi-faceted gripper has a longitudinal axis that is offset from the axis of rotation, allowing the eccentrically rotatable multi-faceted gripper to move along a circular path while sequentially presenting different curved gripper surfaces to the lateral material transfer position.

[0027] In this example of a z-fold stacker 100, a first eccentric rotatable multi-sided gripper 136 and a second eccentric rotatable multi-sided gripper 138 serve as pick-and-place devices that move the electrodes from a horizontal position on respective conveyors 122 and 130 to a vertical position where they can be transferred to a central eccentric rotatable multi-sided gripper 140 that can also selectively engage a hanging portion 142 of the separator 116. The central eccentric rotatable multi-sided gripper 140 then places the material on top of the cell stack 118.

[0028] In this embodiment, the separator 116 is fed along the same side as the first electrode 126 at twice the speed (i.e., the separator length is twice the electrode length). The unconstrained portion of the separator (between the selected electrode and the battery stack 118) is held taut by air pressure before being folded onto the battery stack 118 by the orbital motion of the eccentric, rotatable, multi-faceted gripper 140. The inherent flexibility of the material enables pick-and-place at the desired location via a rolling action while the eccentric, rotatable, multi-faceted gripper 140 maintains continuous orbital motion. Because the central assembly system 114 utilizes continuous rotational motion, the z-fold stacker 100 achieves high throughput, high efficiency, and reduces the high forces and vibrations associated with reciprocating motion.

[0029] In certain embodiments, to maintain overall factory production efficiency, completed stack assemblies are quickly removed and replaced by the same stack lift assembly using a linear shuttle operating perpendicular to the feed direction. This optional shuttle maximizes the efficiency of the stacking process. Consequently, downstream processes (such as packaging and taping) can run in parallel with the construction of subsequent stacks.

[0030] Figure 2 An example of processing an unprocessed electrode supply roll 200 is shown. As the electrode web 202 is unwound from the unprocessed electrode supply roll 200, it is conveyed to a cutting and perforating station (e.g., a laser or punching machine (not shown)). This station is responsible for defining the shape of the discrete electrodes, specifically by cutting the distal tabs 204 and perforating the outer lines of tearable holes 210, 212 transverse to the direction 208 of travel of the electrode web 202. These perforations are also referred to as creating the electrode tear lines. Each tear hole 210, 212 can be a partial perforation of the web or a through hole extending through the entire web.

[0031] For each electrode, the peripheral lines of tearable holes 210, 212 include a first line 210 oriented toward the leading end of the electrode web 202 and a second line 212 oriented toward the trailing end of the electrode web 202. A skilled artisan will appreciate that each of these peripheral lines of tearable holes 212 can be generated individually or simultaneously with other lines or tabs. In some embodiments, the step of creating the tear lines further includes laser ablating the web along the tear lines. This step can be performed as part of the perforation process or as part of another perforation process using a punch or the like.

[0032] After the cutting and perforation process is completed, the uncoated and undivided electrode 214 (except for the distal tab 204) can be coated with an electrode graphite coating 216 to form a coated and undivided electrode 218. Figure 2 As shown, the coating may cover the perforation lines. These coated, unsegmented electrodes 218 may then be optionally rewound for subsequent supply to the stacker 100, or fed directly to the stacking system. In certain other embodiments, perforation may occur after coating. In still other embodiments, coating is optional (e.g., uncoated lithium foil). In some embodiments, the segmentation device may be part of the stacker or stacking system.

[0033] When perforating raw copper or aluminum foil (8 and 12 micron thick, respectively), any resulting burrs (spikes) are covered by the graphite coating, which is approximately 100 microns thick on both sides. Therefore, any spikes created by the perforation are considered insignificant because they do not extend beyond the top surface of the electrode, for example, by more than the 10 micron specification.

[0034] In other embodiments, the perforations can be cleaned and inspected before electrode coating. This ensures that all incoming material is acceptable and free of protruding stamping protrusions. For example, the perforated metal can be passed through a set of rollers that flatten any out-of-plane protrusions, realigning them, and pressing them into a flat surface. In some embodiments, this calendering step can also be performed after coating.

[0035] Figure 3 An example of a segmented assembly of a processed electrode supply roll 300 is shown, which in some embodiments may be the first roll 120 ( Figure 1 ) or Volume II, 128 ( Figure 1 In this example, the processed electrode supply roll 300 contains rewound coated and unslit electrodes 218 ( Figure 2 In other words, the pre-cut, perforated, coated, and unsegmented material 302 is fed from the processed electrode supply roll 300 through the segmenting device 304, which in some embodiments may be the segmenting device 124 ( Figure 1) or splitting device 132 ( Figure 1 ).

[0036] The slitting device 304 includes feed rollers 306 that pull the material 302 from an electrode supply roll 300. The supply roll 300 may include a slack loop 308 that provides tension relief, allowing the supply roll 300 to be fed at a near-constant speed. The feed rollers 306 may be arranged closely together so that the web is tightly clamped between them. Tearing and registration rollers 318 and 320 accelerate the unslit electrode away from the rear end of a perforation line (not shown). The perforation line applies a tearing force to the material 302 in the transport direction 312, thereby slitting the coated electrode from the material 302 along the slitting line. Compared to a cutting process, this reduces the likelihood of generating problematic burrs or spikes from a flat surface.

[0037] The tearing and positioning rollers 318, 320 may optionally include a set of independently driven rollers, such as a tab-side roller 318 and a flat-side roller 320. The tab-side roller 318 and the flat-side roller 320 may be driven independently of each other. The tab-side roller 318 and / or the flat-side roller 320 may each include a pair of rollers. In certain embodiments, the upper and lower rollers on each side are coordinated, meaning they can operate at the same speed. Because these rollers 318, 320 are independently driven, each roller can rotate at a different speed, thereby allowing for distortion and alignment of the coated and segmented electrodes 322 as they exit the segmenting device 304 and are fed into a stacking station 324. In this example, the feed into the stacking station 324 includes a vacuum conveyor 326 to transport the coated and segmented electrodes 322 to a pickup device 328, which is the subject of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 380,359, filed on October 20, 2022. The pick-up device 328 may use vacuum to pick up the separated electrodes and transfer them to the battery stack.

[0038] In other embodiments, perforation tearing and precise alignment of the segmented electrodes may also be achieved by other mechanisms (eg, a cross-axis actuator that positions rollers that clamp the segmented electrodes).

[0039] In some embodiments, the segmenting device 304 may further include an air knife or a rotating brush. These optional components can remove debris generated during the segmenting process.

[0040] Figure 4 More detail is shown of the electrode being supplied from the processed electrode supply roll 300 ( Figure 3 ) of the material 302 that has been coated and the separating device 304 that has separated the electrode 322.

[0041] Feed roller 306 holds electrode material 302 between upper roller 306 and lower roller (not shown), which may be driven by a controllable servo motor. In this example, feed roller 306 feeds material 302 at the same rate as tearing and positioning rollers 318, 320. However, once electrode 218 has been coated and not split (see Figure 2 ) is fed to the tear and registration rollers 318, 320, and one of the feed roller 306 or the tear and registration rollers 318, 320 may change speed relative to the other. For example, the feed roller 306 may be slowed down while the tear and registration rollers 318, 320 may be accelerated, thereby moving the tearable hole 212 (see FIG. Figure 2 ) of the outer periphery of the coated and split electrode 322 to establish its split line. In some embodiments, to slow down the speed of the feed roller 306, the upper and lower roller pairs can be synchronized mechanically or through a control system.

[0042] In some embodiments, the speed of the feed roller 306 ranges from 50 to 950 millimeters per second, typically between 250 and 600 millimeters per second. During the process of splitting the electrodes, the speed difference between the feed roller and the tearing and positioning rollers 318, 320 can vary from a very low difference to 5 to 10 times the speed, depending on the specific implementation. In some embodiments, the tearing and positioning rollers 318, 320 operate at a speed of at least 1.5 times the speed of the feed roller. In some embodiments, the tearing and positioning rollers operate at 2 to 5 times the speed of the feed roller when tearing and splitting the electrodes. Acceleration from operating at the same speed as the feed roller to operating at an increased speed can be accomplished in 0.1 to 1 second.

[0043] In experiments to quantify the force and speed with which the material can be torn, the tearing force was found to be on the order of several pounds across the width, which is about 6 inches, giving a force of about 0.1 pounds per inch. However, by adjusting the perforation pattern (see Figures 6 to 8 The magnitude of this force can be easily adjusted (see the pattern shown). It is believed that the tear strength is approximately three times the local web tension and one-third the breaking strength of a non-perforated web. More broadly:

[0044] {Web feed tension + allowance} < {Tear force (perforated)} < {Destruction force (unperforated) + allowance}

[0045] For unperforated materials, "breaking force" refers to the yield force, not necessarily the tearing force. When tearing at the perforation, yielding (stretching) in other areas of the electrode should be avoided. Foil materials can be perforated at very low tensions and can be adjusted to a tension close to the yield force of the entire coil.

[0046] In some embodiments, the tab-side roller 318 and the flat-side roller 320 are independent, so that the tear can be started from one edge and allowed to gradually separate the material across the web. This also allows for precise positioning of the coated and split electrodes 322 on a vacuum conveyor or other transport device. For example, if the web is misaligned relative to the intended position of the electrodes when picked up, the tab-side roller 318 and / or the flat-side roller 320 can be used to correctly position the split electrodes by increasing the speed of one roller relative to the other.

[0047] As previously mentioned, perforation tearing and precise alignment of the segmented electrodes can also be achieved by other mechanisms (eg, cross-axis actuators that position rollers that clamp the segmented electrodes).

[0048] Figure 5 The electrode alignment is shown in detail as it feeds into the stacking station 324. The tearing and registration rollers 318, 320 push the coated and segmented electrodes 322 onto the vacuum conveyor 326 toward the transfer station 502. The vacuum conveyor 326 generates a positive air flow to ensure that the coated and segmented electrodes 322 float freely above the conveyor surface 504.

[0049] After the electrodes are segmented and aligned on the vacuum conveyor 326, the pressure is switched to vacuum mode to secure the segmented electrodes to the conveyor surface 504. This process can occur at or near the next stop where the downstream electrode is picked up (i.e., transferred to the pickup device). When the electrode leaves the grip of the roller, the transition from roller control to vacuum belt control is coordinated.

[0050] In some embodiments, the pickup device 324 can use vacuum suction to pick up the electrode. This process can be coordinated with the release of the vacuum suction applied by the conveyor 326, such that the conveyor begins to release the vacuum on the leading end of the electrode in the conveying direction, and the pickup device also begins to apply vacuum suction to the same portion of the electrode. This process then gradually continues until the conveyor 326 completely stops applying vacuum suction to any portion of the electrode, and finally the pickup device 324 applies vacuum suction to the entire electrode.

[0051] The tear and registration rollers 318, 320 then match the speed of the vacuum conveyor 326 as they advance the coated and segmented electrode 322 toward the pickup location 506 for the next incremental movement until the coated and segmented electrode 322 clears the tear and registration rollers 318, 320. The tear and registration rollers 318, 320 then match their speed to the speed of the feed rollers (only one shown) 306 to engage the subsequent coated and unsegmented electrode 218, and then, as the perforated edge emerges from the feed roller, the tear and registration rollers begin to accelerate to tear the electrode in the direction of the perforation and then again match the speed of the vacuum conveyor 326. The vacuum conveyor 326 then advances one increment to move the coated and segmented electrode 322 from the delivery location 502 to the pickup location 506.

[0052] Figures 6 to 8 Examples of dotted, scalloped, and trapezoidal perforations and the resulting tears that can be used in different embodiments are shown. In different embodiments, the web of the electrode may be different. Figure 6-8 The experimental results in the paper were obtained using uncoated aluminum. In each example, the perforation line consists of multiple through-holes arranged linearly across the web. The through-holes and unperforated sections alternate. By varying the size and spacing of the through-holes, the tear characteristics of the perforation line can be controlled. The shape of the through-holes is not particularly limited; for example, perfect circles, ovals, elongated holes, thin lines, or other shapes can be used. Alternatively, partial cutting or scoring on one or both sides can be employed.

[0053] In the experiment, the trapezoidal shape was the easiest to tear, followed by the scalloped shape, and then the dotted line. However, those skilled in the art will understand that these results may vary depending on the width of the web, the spacing between the perforations (i.e., the non-perforated material), and the perforation volume.

[0054] The tear strength of the web can also be adjusted by adjusting the percentage of perforations. Preferably, the perforations cover a majority of the web, although in some embodiments, the perforations may be lower. The perforation ratio may be between 10% and 99%. In some embodiments, the perforations comprise between 50% and 99% of the entire web at the tear location, in some embodiments 70% to 98%, in some embodiments 80% to 95%, and in some embodiments 90% to 95%. There is a balance between having enough perforations to achieve a smooth tearing process and not having so many perforations that the web begins to unravel before being cut.

[0055] When laser cutting a coated electrode, the electrode layer typically requires the greatest amount of cutting energy, while cutting the coating consumes much less energy. If the laser intensity is reduced, it can still remove the coating, which is useful in certain embodiments to reduce particles near the edges of the coating that are broken during the tearing process. By adjusting the laser intensity during the perforation process, the perforation line can include a combination of through-holes and scoring (for example, scoring only through the coating). Therefore, since the coating is completely cut and the foil is perforated, the tear can become a metal-only tear, thereby reducing the coating particles that would otherwise be generated. Because perforation (through or partial perforation), scoring (scoring on one or both sides), and any combination thereof can be used to achieve separation, the present disclosure generally refers to any of these results as a manufactured tear line. In some embodiments, the electrode is perforated before any coating is applied, and the coating is not perforated or scored.

[0056] Figure 6 Details of the dotted perforations are shown. Specifically, Figure 6 The upper portion of FIG. 6 shows a dashed perforation line 600 , which may be used for perforations in some embodiments. Figure 6 The lower half of the diagram shows an enlarged tear seam 602 in the separation line 604, which is formed by tearing the dashed perforation line 600, but each dashed line has a slightly different shape. This shape results in a relatively rectangular lateral protrusion 606 along the separation line 604 where the material 608 is separated from the web.

[0057] Figure 7 Details of the scalloped perforations are shown. Specifically, Figure 7 The upper portion shows scalloped perforation lines 700, Figure 7 The lower portion of FIG. 5 shows an enlarged tear seam 702 in a severance line 704 formed by tearing a scalloped perforation line 700. This shape results in a relatively triangular lateral protrusion 706 along the severance line 704 where material 708 separates from the web.

[0058] Figure 8 Details of the trapezoidal perforations are shown. Specifically, Figure 8 The upper portion shows a trapezoidal perforation line 800, Figure 8 The lower portion of FIG. 8 shows an enlarged tear seam 802 in a severance line 804 formed by tearing a trapezoidal perforation line 800. This shape results in a relatively triangular lateral protrusion 806 along the severance line 804 where material 808 separates from the web.

[0059] exist Figures 6 to 8In the example of , the perforations are quite uniform. In other embodiments, the perforations may be non-uniform. For example, some embodiments may include more perforations in the area where the initial tear seam is desired. In one example, a triangular notch is provided at the end of the manufactured tear line as a tear initiation portion so that the tearing motion can be initiated at the notch by first accelerating one side of the electrode and then accelerating to the other side and then catching up with the other side to re-center the electrode. Thus, in addition to a straight tearing motion along the conveying direction, other tearing directions may be considered. For example, progressive tearing (e.g., see Figure 5 , but starting from one edge and proceeding across the electrode), shear tearing (e.g., see FIG9 , moving the electrode in the transverse direction), an impact surface acting on the web nominally perpendicular to the web to impact a perforated surface, thereby initiating the tearing action, or some combination of tearing configurations.

[0060] Figure 9 A separating apparatus 900 according to another embodiment is shown. Separating apparatus 900 is configured to facilitate lateral displacement by tearing the electrode along a created tear line using a pair of rollers 902. In this example of separating apparatus 900, a linear stage 904 displaces one edge of an electrode 910 and reacts against a stationary roller 906, shown above an infeed conveyor 908. Roller pair 906 includes an upper roller that is spring-loaded to apply a downward force to the top of electrode 910, pressing it against a stationary lower roller. In some embodiments, once tearing is complete, linear stage 904 also finely positions electrode 910 laterally before stacking.

[0061] In some embodiments, the impact device is positioned at a location where the tear is about to be initiated, which can be near or at the center of the web and / or electrode. The impact device extends upward out of the plane of the web. A rod moves over the impact device to create the tear line and accelerates or decelerates the material so that any slack near the created tear line is taken up, thereby forcing the perforation along the blunt side of the impact device. This blunt side forces the tear at the perforation. For example, after the electrode enters the downstream roller pair, the roller pair can accelerate the electrode, thereby creating tension near the impact device as the electrode is pulled toward the impact device near the center of the electrode near the created tear line. This will initiate a tear in the center of the electrode, which propagates toward the edges until it is completely severed.

[0062] The impact device may include a convex surface. Other types of impact devices may include an edge. In addition, the tearing may be performed by moving another impact device relative to the electrode (i.e., a chopping action).

[0063] Those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes can be made to the details of the above embodiments without departing from the basic principles of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined only by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for segmenting an electrode, comprising: creating a tear line between adjacent electrodes in the web; feeding the web through a splitting device; and A force is applied to the web using a severing device in order to tear the electrode from the web along the tear line created thereby.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Before feeding the web through the dividing device, the web is coated with a coating material. 3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the force comprises accelerating an electrode to be torn from the web relative to the web along a tear line created thereby.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of creating the tear line is performed at a different location from the steps of feeding and applying the force.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the force comprises applying a tearing force that is approximately one-third the web breaking strength and approximately three times the local web tension.

6. An electrode severing system for severing electrodes from a web, the system comprising: a feed roller for feeding the web from the reel; a tearing and registering roller for receiving a portion of the web from the feed roller; as well as A controllable motor is provided for varying the speed of at least one of the feed roller and the tear and registration rollers to generate a tearing force applied to the manufactured tear line along the web and to separate the portion of the web according to the predetermined electrode shape.

7. The electrode segmentation system according to claim 6, further comprising: A perforating device capable of creating tear lines between adjacent electrodes in the web.

8. The electrode segmentation system according to claim 6, further comprising: a conveyor capable of conveying the electrode after segmentation; as well as A picking device is capable of picking up the separated electrodes from the conveyor and transferring them to the battery stack.

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