Determination of optimized operating parameters for coating processes

Abstract

The invention relates to the determination of optimized operating parameters for a coating process, in particular to a computer-implemented method, a computer-implemented device, a system and a computer program product for determining optimized operating parameters for a coating process, comprising: recording at least one process parameter associated with a coating process, a target parameter range associated with a coating made by the coating process is determined, where the determination is based on an analytical model and / or a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, and operating parameters for the coating process are determined based at least in part on the recorded parameters and the target parameter range.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method, a computer-implemented apparatus, a system and a computer program product for determining optimized operating parameters for a coating process. BACKGROUND

[0002] The ongoing energy transition, including the shift from burning fossil fuels to using renewable and sustainable raw materials, is driving further development and / or new development of energy production media and / or energy storage media in several respects. This can include further development of batteries as energy storage media and / or fuel cells as energy production media.

[0003] In battery production, anodes and / or cathodes are usually coated in order to introduce active, i.e. energy-storing, materials (e.g. lithium metal oxides) into the respective battery. Similarly, bipolar plates of fuel cells are usually also subjected to a coating process in order to prevent oxidation and / or corrosion thereof.

[0004] In order to ensure that the thus produced batteries and / or fuel cells have the required functionality, precise process monitoring of the coating process must be carried out in order to guarantee the certainty and stability of the process flow.

[0005] So far, process monitoring and process stability problems in coating production lines have been mainly solved by manual monitoring and intervention in the coating process. Process parameters are regularly monitored by users and / or technicians of the industrial coating equipment and, in the event of deviations, are treated by manual correction. The basis for this is the experience and expertise of the users and technicians.

[0006] However, this process is usually time-consuming and can be influenced by human error, so that abnormalities that can occur in the coating process are not detected in time or even at all. In addition, only very experienced equipment operators are usually able to understand the relationships between different production lines, process parameters and material parameters to the required depth, to recognize abnormalities and to take appropriate countermeasures, so that abnormal situations can be effectively dealt with.

[0007] In addition, due to the complexity of the coating process, the relevant process parameters cannot usually be considered independently of one another, but rather the whole has to be analyzed, since there can be interdependencies between the process parameters. The resolution of such dependencies in particular requires experienced staff and is usually considered complex and time-consuming.

[0008] This also means that simply comparing each process parameter with a preset target value is usually not sufficient, since only the interrelationships between all parameters give a stable or unstable coating.

[0009] Partial coating lines are equipped with basic control systems that enable automatic control of partial process parameters. However, such control systems usually rely on fixed thresholds that are difficult to cover the full range of process optimization, as their functionality is mostly significantly limited.

[0010] Process parameters are still considered acceptable within an interval in which they are allowed to vary, which is referred to as a process window, and which can be described by a target parameter range. These parameters are usually calculated by a trained process engineer in the process development phase only in rare cases, and are mostly based on estimations or rough empirical values. During production, automated recalculation for changes in the (environmental) conditions in the coating process is usually not performed.

[0011] Furthermore, the process currently used for monitoring does not use real-time data in all cases, so that for a coating that can be considered insufficient, detection is usually only possible with a delay, resulting in a non-optimal coating process that continues to run, which can reduce the quality of the final product.

[0012] Therefore, there is a need for an improvement in the monitoring of a coating process to at least partially overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks. SUMMARY

[0013] The objective technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a more efficient and improved control of a coating process.

[0014] According to a first aspect, a computer-implemented method for determining optimized operating parameters for a coating process is proposed. The computer-implemented process can comprise recording at least one parameter related to the coating process, and determining a target parameter range related to a coating layer made by the coating process, wherein the determination is based on an analytical model and / or a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. Furthermore, the computer-implemented process can comprise determining operating parameters for the coating process based at least in part on the recorded parameter and the target parameter range.

[0015] The optimized operating parameters can be understood as parameters that can be set as parameters for a device used in the coating process, characterized in that the optimized operating parameters can be understood as operating parameters that result in at least one process parameter that is considered ideal when the device used for coating is operated with one optimized operating parameter or multiple optimized operating parameters.

[0016] In the present case, the target parameter range can be understood as a specific numerical value of a process parameter that is allowed to fluctuate or take a value within the range as required by the application to ensure that the coating process is still performed according to the specifications.

[0017] A CFD model can be seen as a computer-based method to calculate and analyze fluid flow, heat transfer, coating processes, and related phenomena based on numerical solutions of the underlying physical or fluid-dynamic conservation equations. It can include a discretization of the calculation domain, dividing the volume to be studied into a large number of small grid cells that comply with the geometry and structure of the analyzed system. The underlying model can solve non-linear partial differential equations of mass, momentum, and energy conservation in each grid cell and can calculate related physical quantities such as pressure, temperature, density, and flow velocity as functions of position and time. Specific boundary conditions, such as geometry, material properties, and external influences, can be integrated into the calculation. The calculation data can be visualized in three-dimensional fields, thereby providing a comprehensive description of the dynamic evolution of the simulated system. The CFD model can enable a detailed and realistic simulation of complex flow processes and can be used for the optimization of designs, processes, or systems in various technical application fields.

[0018] In some cases, at least one further model for determining a target parameter range can be added, which, for example, also takes into account error effects of the coating process that are not yet known.

[0019] The determination of the target parameter range can take into account correlations between and among different operating parameters and / or process parameters and their mutual relationships.

[0020] By monitoring the process parameters and determining the operating parameters, a continuous optimization of the coating process over time can be achieved. By providing advanced automation solutions for higher production performance and quality, the process monitoring and control capabilities of the coating line can be further enhanced. This can lead to higher efficiency, lower scrap rates, and overall lower operating costs. This, in turn, can improve product quality, process stability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of the coating process. In particular, the definition of the target parameter range can enable the determination of a stable working interval, thereby ensuring a stable operation of the coating process and avoiding adverse phenomena such as edge thickening. Furthermore, the determination of the target parameter range can enable the coating process to better adapt to actual working conditions, as these parameters are not solely dependent on a one-time pre-calculation.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the recording can comprise recording real-time process parameters, static parameters related to the coating device executing the coating process, and / or material parameters for the coating.

[0022] Real-time process parameters can be understood as process parameters recorded during the operation of the coating process. The real-time process parameters can be recorded directly by sensors, rather than being extracted from a database containing pre-recorded process parameters. The real-time process data can be recorded continuously (i.e., at a pre-set sampling rate, such as 0.5 Hz to 10 Hz, 11 Hz to 100 Hz, 101 Hz to 1 kHz, 1 kHz to 10 kHz, or higher sampling rates).

[0023] Static parameters can for example be provided as parameters associated with the device used for the coating process. Parameters associated with the device used for the coating process can for example be parameters associated with the nozzle geometry (e.g. opening width, nozzle length, nozzle shape, parameters describing the cavity, nozzle position, gap distance, amount of material supplied to the nozzle, etc.), wherein the nozzle can be configured to expel the coating material through the nozzle during the coating process. Additionally or alternatively, the static parameters can also specify a minimum gap distance. In some cases, the gap distance can also be non-static, e.g. dynamically positionable by a screw system (e.g. by a specially designed flexible lip). In some cases, the static parameters can also describe the shape and / or geometry of the nozzle lip.

[0024] Material parameters can for example refer to the viscosity of the coating material used for the coating process. Additionally or alternatively, the material parameters can also represent the surface tension, density and / or solid content of the material used for the coating. These parameters can in some cases be recorded in real-time (e.g. by sensors included in the device). Additionally or alternatively, samples of the material used can also be sent to a laboratory for detection. The relevant parameters can be provided and eventually recorded by a connection to a laboratory data management system, or manually entered by the laboratory personnel in a separate input interface, thus enabling a complete recording of the material parameters.

[0025] In some cases, the material used for the coating of the anode of the battery can include lithium (either as metal lithium or as lithium compounds, such as lithium titanate), graphite (which is often used as anode material for lithium ion batteries) and / or silicon (which can be used as anode material in some advanced batteries due to its higher capacity compared to graphite).

[0026] In some cases, the material used for the coating of the cathode of the battery can include lithium iron phosphate (which is often used as cathode material for lithium ion batteries) and / or lithium nickel cobalt oxide, lithium manganese oxide or lithium nickel manganese oxide (which are also used for lithium ion batteries and have a higher energy density than lithium iron phosphate).

[0027] In this way, the overall continuously improved coating process can be achieved by providing operating parameters that efficiently react to the actual process parameters currently present, i.e. by continuously identifying deviations of the process parameters from the ideal state and immediately and timely taking countermeasures for improvement and direct action, without relying on periodic and / or aperiodic detection.

[0028] According to another embodiment, the target parameter range can indicate a maximum tolerable thickness deviation of the coating thickness.

[0029] In the present case, the thickness deviation can be understood as the standard deviation of the thickness of the coating on the component or substrate to be coated, for example in the longitudinal direction and / or in the transverse direction.

[0030] The maximum tolerable thickness deviation can be understood as a thickness deviation which only enables the required and / or desired function.

[0031] By limiting the target parameter range to the maximum tolerable thickness deviation, it is possible to efficiently define the thickness profile of the coating on the component to be coated, in order to ensure that the coating is able to sufficiently fulfil its rated function, for example as an energy carrier in a battery.

[0032] According to a further embodiment, the analysis model can contain physical laws which describe the coating process, and the analysis model preferably describes at least one defect which can occur during the coating process, the defect preferably including the formation of ripples in the coating, gas inclusions and / or the generation of striations.

[0033] The analysis model can be understood as a physical equation which at least partially describes the coating process on the basis of natural laws. The physical equation can be a one-dimensional equation.

[0034] The formation of ripples in the coating refers to the formation of at least locally curved elevations in the coating material. This can be caused by too small a coating thickness, too large a nozzle spacing or too high a speed, for example.

[0035] Gas inclusions refer to air inclusions (bubbles) in the coating material. The gas inclusions can already be present in the material which has not yet been applied to the substrate, and / or be generated in an undesired manner during the coating process.

[0036] Here, the generation of striations can be understood as the formation of strip-like distributed density fluctuations in the coating material.

[0037] In this way, the analysis model can take into account the most common error sources and assess their influence on the target parameter. In this way, it is possible to efficiently determine a range of values for the target process parameter, in which range a change in the target parameter value does not adversely affect the coating process itself.

[0038] According to a further embodiment, the analysis model can contain, as input parameters, at least the belt speed, the coating gap, the wet film thickness, the lip length, the surface tension of the coating material, the density of the coating material and / or the viscosity of the coating material as a function of the shear rate.

[0039] Shear rate can be understood as an indicator of the speed at which a fluid deforms under shear force. It can be expressed as the velocity change perpendicular to the mainstream direction. Mathematically, shear rate can be represented as the velocity gradient transverse to the mainstream direction. In CFD models, shear rate serves as a parameter characterizing fluid flow behavior, particularly suitable for non-Newtonian fluids whose viscosity varies with shear rate. Shear rate can provide a reference for local flow states, turbulence phenomena, and potential material stresses in fluid mechanics applications.

[0040] This allows for more targeted adjustments to the target parameter range based on actual facility and / or material parameters. Therefore, it enables the efficient provision of a target parameter range that closely matches the actual situation.

[0041] According to another implementation, the target parameter range can be determined based on a model derived from a three-dimensional CFD model, taking into account the thickness profile of the coating.

[0042] Based on CFD models, three-dimensional coating defects can be considered during the coating process. By introducing thickness profiles into the CFD model, it can be more targeted and accurately adapted to actual coating conditions, thus achieving a more precise reflection of reality. In this way, the range of target parameters can be optimized and more realistically determined.

[0043] According to another embodiment, the determination of the target parameter range is based at least in part on considerations of physical or process technology boundaries, and the determination of the target parameter range preferably depends on gas entrainment, minimum coating gap, low flow limit and / or maximum wet film thickness.

[0044] Physical boundaries can be understood as boundaries defined by, for example, the material properties of the coating material, such as maximum or minimum viscosity, maximum or minimum density of the coating material at different temperatures, etc. In this example, process boundaries can be understood as boundaries caused by the coating process itself, such as boundaries caused by limitations of the equipment used for coating (e.g., defined by maximum material throughput, maximum and / or minimum process temperature, minimum nozzle spacing, etc.).

[0045] In this example, "gas entrainment" can be understood as a value within the target parameter range, under which air may enter the coating film when the dynamic contact line between the coating material and the applied substrate becomes unstable.

[0046] The characteristics of "gas entrainment" are typically manifested as periodic appearance of pores in the coating across the entire coating width, as well as longitudinal stripes in the coating. The "gas entrainment" phenomenon can occur, for example, when the wet film thickness is too low, the nozzle spacing is too large, the speed is too high (e.g., substrate movement speed exceeds 100 m / min, with a typical speed range of 40 m / min to 100 m / min), and / or the coating material performance is poor.

[0047] "Minimum coating gap" can be understood as the minimum distance between the slit nozzle and the coating roller (the device used for coating), which is a minimum limit that must be met to ensure the safe operation of the coating equipment. This distance can be preset by the facilities including the slit nozzle, positioning system, and coating roller.

[0048] The "low flow limit" can be understood as the unstable state of the film-forming meniscus. If the film-forming meniscus is excessively curved, a stable bridge cannot be formed between the lip and the coating. The film-forming meniscus refers to the concave or convex curvature formed at the nozzle-coating material interface in the coating direction. The specific morphology of the film-forming meniscus can be affected by various factors, such as the viscosity of the liquid, surface tension, nozzle structure, and process parameters. Monitoring and controlling the meniscus during the coating process is particularly important to ensure a uniform and accurate coating.

[0049] The achievable upper limit of wet film thickness may be limited by the gap distance (e.g., the distance between the outlet nozzle of the coating apparatus and the substrate to be coated). Higher wet film thickness may cause the coating material to overflow from the coating gap in the opposite direction of the coating direction. When this limit is exceeded, extremely high edge thickening and fluctuations in coating width typically occur.

[0050] A typical characteristic of the "low flow limit" can be understood as longitudinal stripes that are regularly distributed across the entire width of the coating.

[0051] Factors that may be associated with the “low flow limit” include: insufficient wet film thickness, excessive nozzle spacing (i.e., the distance between the nozzle outlet and the substrate to be coated), excessive speed (i.e., the substrate moving too fast) and / or the properties of the coating material.

[0052] This allows for a more targeted adjustment of the target parameter range to match actual operating conditions, thereby further optimizing and improving the entire coating process.

[0053] According to another embodiment, the computer-implemented process can further include recording currently used operating parameters for the coating process and comparing the currently used operating parameters with determined operating parameters. Furthermore, the computer-implemented process can also include determining, at least partially, based on the comparison that the currently used operating parameters are not equal to the determined operating parameters.

[0054] The currently used operating parameters can be continuously recorded parameters or operating parameters recorded at (predefined) preferred fixed time intervals. The currently used operating parameters can be read directly from the apparatus used for the coating process. Alternatively or additionally, the currently used operating parameters can also be read from a database (e.g., accessible via an intranet and / or the Internet).

[0055] Determining that the currently used operating parameters are inconsistent with the determined operating parameters could, for example, mean that the currently used operating parameters are less than or greater than the determined operating parameters. Alternatively, the determination could also include determining that the currently used operating parameters are inconsistent with the determined operating parameters in terms of their Boolean values.

[0056] This can efficiently determine whether a given set of operating parameters (i.e., the optimized operating parameters) deviates from the currently used operating parameters.

[0057] According to another embodiment, the computer implementation method can include providing a notification indicating that the currently used operating parameters are not optimized operating parameters and / or

[0058] The recommendations suggest that identified operating parameters could achieve better process parameters than the currently used operating parameters, and / or that the coating equipment should be adjusted to those identified operating parameters.

[0059] The notification can be provided to the user of the coating device through a human-machine interface (HMI). The HMI can be, for example, a display device (such as a screen, application, push notification, etc.), an audio output device (such as a speaker, which can provide the notification in the form of alarms and / or voice content), and / or a visual display device (such as a warning light).

[0060] This suggestion can be provided through a human-machine interface. Based on this suggestion, the user can confirm that the coating apparatus should use specific operating parameters and adjust the apparatus to those parameters. In some cases, the user can also reject the suggestion, and therefore the coating apparatus will not be adjusted to the specified operating parameters accordingly.

[0061] This approach enables real-time notification to the user of the coating apparatus. This facilitates rapid intervention in the coating process, minimizing the time the process operates below optimal limits. Consequently, the quality of the coating produced by the coating process can be improved. In particular, real-time adjustments reduce the need for manual intervention, enabling automated adjustments to ensure the stability and quality of the coating process.

[0062] According to another embodiment, the coating can be used to coat the anode and / or cathode of a battery.

[0063] Additionally or alternatively, coatings can also be applied to the manufacture of fuel cells, such as coatings for electrodes, membranes, and / or bipolar plates.

[0064] In some cases, the coating can also be used to coat other parts.

[0065] This helps to optimize and improve the manufacturing of batteries and / or fuel cells.

[0066] According to another embodiment, the coating thickness can be 150 to 200 µm, and the thickness variation over the entire width of the coating is less than 2 µm.

[0067] In some cases, the width of the coating can range from 100 mm to 2000 mm.

[0068] Therefore, it can be ensured that the coating has optimized functionality (e.g., for applications in battery manufacturing).

[0069] According to the second aspect, a computer program product is proposed. This computer program product includes instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method described herein.

[0070] Computer program products, such as computer program media, can be provided or distributed in the form of storage media, such as memory cards, USB flash drives, CD-ROMs, DVDs, or as downloadable files from a network server. This can be achieved, for example, by transmitting related files containing the computer program product or computer program tool over a wireless communication network. In some cases, a computer program product can also be understood as an application (e.g., an application for running on mobile devices such as tablets, mobile phones, etc.).

[0071] According to a third aspect, a computer-based implementation apparatus is proposed for determining optimized operating parameters for a coating process. This apparatus can include a recording unit for recording at least one parameter related to the coating process, and a first determining unit for determining a target parameter range related to a coating produced by the coating process, wherein the determination of the parameter range is based on an analytical model and / or a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. Furthermore, the apparatus can include a second determining unit for determining the operating parameters for the coating process based at least in part on the recorded parameters and the target parameter range.

[0072] Each unit, such as the recording unit, the first determining unit, and / or the second determining unit, can be implemented in hardware and / or software. In the case of hardware implementation, each unit can be constructed as an apparatus or part of an apparatus, such as a computer, microprocessor, or vehicle control computer. In the case of software implementation, each unit can be constructed as a computer program product, function, routine, program code, or executable object.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the computer implementation apparatus may include an execution unit for performing the computer implementation method as described herein and / or an execution unit for performing a computer program product as described herein.

[0074] According to the fourth aspect, a system for determining optimized operating parameters for a coating process is proposed. This system can include the computer implementation apparatus and computer program product described herein.

[0075] In addition to enabling automated real-time process monitoring and optimization, the present invention can also be applied to the process and material design stages, i.e., before the actual coating process begins. During the equipment planning stage for the coating process and the planning stage of the coating process itself, process engineers can predefine process, equipment, and material parameters based on the calculation results of target parameter ranges, thereby optimizing the stable coating. If the parameters are defined in the early stages according to specific interrelationships, for example, the stable coating window represented by the target parameter range can be expanded and simplified, thereby improving the optimization effect of subsequent processes. Related aspects of the present invention also support the modeling of digital process twins, thus simulating the coating process and identifying optimal parameters without the need for actual equipment. This helps to shorten the start-up cycle in subsequent operation phases.

[0076] The embodiments and features of the proposed apparatus also apply to the proposed method. Conversely, the embodiments of the method also apply to the proposed apparatus.

[0077] Furthermore, it should be noted that although different implementation forms are described separately in this article, these implementation forms can still be combined with each other.

[0078] Other possible implementations of the invention include combinations of features or embodiments not explicitly mentioned above or below with reference to the embodiments. In this process, those skilled in the art will also integrate individual aspects as improvements or additions to the various basic forms of the invention.

[0079] Other advantageous designs and aspects of the invention constitute the dependent claims of the invention and the content of the embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description

[0080] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

[0081] Figure 1 An exemplary implementation of the method is shown;

[0082] Figure 2 An exemplary cross-section is shown;

[0083] Figure 3 A computer implementation method is shown;

[0084] Figure 4 A computer implementation apparatus is shown; and

[0085] Figure 5 A system is shown.

[0086] In all figures, elements that are identical or have the same function are indicated by the same reference numerals, unless otherwise specified. Detailed Implementation

[0087] Figure 1 An exemplary implementation of a method 100 for determining optimized operating parameters for a coating process is shown.

[0088] The coating apparatus 110 (also referred to herein as a facility) may include a controller 111 and a human-machine interface 112. The controller 111 may be configured to receive determined operating parameters and, based on those parameters, perform a corresponding coating process on the coating apparatus 110.

[0089] The controller 111 can also be configured to record currently used operating parameters (e.g., based at least in part on relevant sensors that are part of the apparatus used for the coating process). In some cases, the controller 111 can also be configured to record process parameters.

[0090] The human-machine interface 112 can be provided according to this instruction.

[0091] Facility 110 may be equipped with a communicator. This communicator enables the provision of facility parameters and / or process parameters 120 to the optimization application 130. For example, the facility or parameter 120 may include currently used operating parameters, and / or facility parameters, and / or process parameters (e.g., currently measured coating thickness). Facility parameters may be setting parameters for the apparatus used for coating, and / or parameters related to the coating process of the apparatus used for coating (e.g., nozzle outlet diameter from which the coating material used for coating flows).

[0092] The optimization application 130 may include a first determining unit 131 configured to determine a target parameter range for a coating layer formed on a substrate by a coating process. The first determining unit 131 may include an analysis model 132 and / or a CFD model 133.

[0093] The optimized application 130 may also include a unit 134 for determining the currently used operating parameters (e.g., based at least in part on facility parameters and process parameters 120).

[0094] The optimization application 130 can also include information 140 related to the material used for coating. Information 140 can be provided to the optimization application 130 as a parameter 141.

[0095] The optimization application 130 can be configured to determine operating parameters that can be considered as optimized operating parameters based on facility parameters and process parameters 120, 141 and / or currently used operating parameters.

[0096] The optimized application 130 may also include a checking unit 135. The checking unit 135 may be configured to check whether the determined operating parameters are the same as the currently used operating parameters.

[0097] The optimization application 130 can be provided as an application. In some cases, the optimization application can run on the device 110 in use. Alternatively, the optimization application 130 can also run on other devices separate from the device 110 in use (such as on the user's tablet).

[0098] Optimized application 130 can utilize "edge computing." This likely means that relevant data can be processed directly on the device used for coating. This significantly reduces latency and enables rapid response to process changes. Compared to centralized systems that require data transmission, this offers a clear speed advantage.

[0099] By combining edge computing with open interfaces such as the OPC Unified Architecture (OPC-UA (Object Linking and Embedding for Process Control - Unified Architecture)), the system can be flexibly integrated into coating processes controlled by devices from different manufacturers and with different mechanisms. This eliminates the need for complex and error-prone interventions in controlling these devices.

[0100] For example, if the determined operating parameters are inconsistent with the currently used operating parameters, the determined operating parameters can be transmitted to the device 110 as optimized operating parameters 150, and the device 110 can adjust the corresponding operating parameters to the determined operating parameters accordingly.

[0101] It should also be noted that although this discussion focuses on a single operating parameter, it can also involve multiple operating parameters.

[0102] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view 200 of the apparatus used in the coating process is shown.

[0103] Cross-sectional view 200 divides the apparatus into an upstream section 210 and a downstream section 220. The upstream section 210 faces the inlet of the apparatus (i.e., the side of the apparatus from which the substrate to be coated is introduced). The downstream section 220 can be understood as the side of the apparatus from which the coated substrate exits the apparatus.

[0104] A discharge port for nozzle D can be provided between the upstream section 210 and the downstream section.

[0105] For coating processes, a characteristic parameter can be the wet film thickness H, which indicates the average thickness of the coating layer applied to the substrate.

[0106] Furthermore, the belt speed U used can have a significant impact on the coating process. The belt speed U used can be correlated with the speed at which the substrate to be coated moves away from the nozzle D on the conveyor belt B.

[0107] Furthermore, the coating gap G can be related to the coating process. This coating gap can be understood as the distance between the conveyor belt B that transports the substrate and the underside of the nozzle D.

[0108] Similarly, the lip length L can also be related to the coating process. The lip length L can be understood as the distance between the inner wall of the nozzle D and the outer wall along the downstream section 220. The lip length L can represent the length along which the coating material applied to the substrate can maintain contact with the lower side of the nozzle D.

[0109] Figure 3 A flowchart is shown of an exemplary computer implementation method 300 for determining optimized operating parameters for a coating process.

[0110] In step 310, at least one process parameter related to the coating process is recorded.

[0111] In step 320, based on the analytical model and / or the three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, the range of target parameters associated with the coating formed by the coating process is determined.

[0112] In step 330, the operating parameter records for the coating process are determined, at least in part, based on the recorded parameters and the target parameter range.

[0113] Figure 4 An exemplary computer implementation apparatus 400 for determining optimized operating parameters for a coating process is shown. The computer implementation apparatus 400 includes a recording unit 410, a first determining unit 420, and a second determining unit 430.

[0114] The recording unit 410 is configured to record at least one parameter related to the coating process.

[0115] The first determining unit 420 is configured to determine a range of target parameters associated with the coating layer produced by the coating process, the determination being based on an analytical model and / or a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model.

[0116] The second determining unit 430 is configured to determine the operating parameters of the coating process based at least in part on the detected parameters and the target parameter range.

[0117] Figure 5 An exemplary system 500 for determining optimized operating parameters for a coating process is shown. System 500 includes a computer implementation device 510 and a computer program product 520.

[0118] The computer implementation device 510 can be configured as described herein.

[0119] Computer program product 520 can be configured as described in this document.

[0120] Although the present invention has been described by way of examples, it can still be modified in many ways.

[0121] Reference number list

[0122] 100 methods

[0123] 110 Apparatus for coating

[0124] 111 controller

[0125] 112 Human-Computer Interface

[0126] 120 Facility or process parameters

[0127] 130 Optimized Applications

[0128] 131 First Determined Unit

[0129] 132 Analysis Model

[0130] 133CFD model

[0131] 134 is the unit used to determine the current operating parameters.

[0132] 135 Inspection Unit

[0133] 140 Coating Material Information

[0134] 141 parameters

[0135] 150 optimized operating parameters

[0136] 200 cross section

[0137] 210 upstream section

[0138] 220 downstream section

[0139] B belt

[0140] D nozzle

[0141] G coating gap

[0142] L lip length

[0143] U-belt speed

[0144] 300 Computer Implementation Methods

[0145] 310 steps

[0146] 320 steps

[0147] 330 steps

[0148] 400 computer implementation device

[0149] 410 recording units

[0150] 420 First Determined Unit

[0151] 430 Second Determined Unit

[0152] 500 system

[0153] 510 Computer Implementation Device

[0154] 520 computer program products.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method (300) for determining optimized operating parameters for a coating process, comprising: recording (310) at least one process parameter related to the coating process; determining (320) a target parameter range related to a coating layer made by the coating process, wherein the determination is based on an analytical model and / or a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model; determining (330) operating parameters for the coating process based at least in part on the recorded parameters and the target parameter range.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein, The recording comprises recording real-time process parameters, static parameters related to a coating apparatus performing the coating process, and / or material parameters for the coating layer.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The target parameter range indicates an admissible maximum thickness deviation of the coating layer.

4. The computer-implemented method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The analytical model comprises physical laws describing the coating process, and the analytical model preferably describes at least one defect that can occur during the coating process, the defect preferably being a ripple formation in the coating layer, a gas entrapment in the coating layer, and / or a stripe formation in the coating layer.

5. The computer-implemented method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The analytical model comprises as input parameters at least one web speed, a coating gap, a wet film thickness, a lip length, a surface tension of the coating material, a density of the coating material, and / or a viscosity of the coating material depending on a shear rate.

6. The computer-implemented method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The determination of the target parameter range is based on a model derived from a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model and takes into account a thickness profile of the coating layer.

7. The computer-implemented method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The determination of the target parameter range is based at least in part on a consideration of physical limitations and / or process-technical limitations, the determination of the target parameter range preferably depending on a gas entrainment, a minimum coating gap, a low flow limit, and / or a maximum wet film thickness.

8. The computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: recording currently used operating parameters for the coating process; comparing the currently used operating parameters with the determined operating parameters; and based at least in part on the comparison, determining that the currently used operating parameters do not correspond to the determined operating parameters.

9. The computer-implemented method according to claim 8, further comprising: providing a notification indicating that the currently used operating parameters are not optimized operating parameters; and / or providing a suggestion that the determined operating parameters result in improved process parameters compared to the currently used operating parameters; and / or adjusting a coating apparatus to the determined operating parameters. The coating layer is for coating an anode and / or a cathode of a battery.

10. The computer-implemented method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The coating layer has a thickness of 150 pm to 200 pm, and a fluctuation of the thickness over a width of the coating layer is less than 2 pm.

11. The computer-implemented method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, 12. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the computer program product is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A computer-implemented apparatus (400) for determining optimized operating parameters for a coating process, comprising: a recording unit (410) for recording at least one parameter related to the coating process; ​ a first determining unit (420) for determining a target parameter range related to a coating that has been made by the coating process, wherein the determination is based on an analytical model and / or a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model; a second determining unit (430) for determining operating parameters for the coating process based at least partly on the recorded parameters and the target parameter range.

14. The computer-implemented apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: an execution unit for executing the computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 ; and / or an execution unit for executing the computer program product according to claim 12.

15. A system (500) for determining optimized operating parameters for a coating process, comprising: a computer-implemented apparatus (510) according to claim 13 or 14; and a computer program product (520) according to claim 12. ​

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