This multi-directional servo-driven hot-cold integrated press is a dedicated forming machine developed for the thermal lamination process of flow batteries, particularly for large-area stacks.
The sealing integrity and material flatness of a flow battery stack directly determine its Coulombic efficiency and service life. By employing multi-directional servo pressing, precise temperature control, and alternating hot-cold technology, this press effectively resolves key issues such as warpage of large-area electrode frames, uneven pressure along sealing lines, and thermal shrinkage of the proton exchange membrane.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
In flow battery manufacturing, "thermal lamination" refers to the process of fusing or bonding the electrode frame (typically PP, PVDF, or other plastics), gasket (EPDM or fluororubber), bipolar plate, and ion exchange membrane into a single assembly under controlled temperature and pressure.
●Traditional pain point: Single-direction presses often cause the edges of plastic frames to lift, and residual stress released during cooling leads to deformation.
●Solution offered by this equipment: Multi-directional servo pressing ensures uniform planar compression while applying supplementary pressure to the sides of the frame, suppressing spring-back and warpage.
1. Multi-directional Independent Servo Pressing System
●Main cylinder (vertical pressing): High-tonnage servo motor driving a ball screw or servo-hydraulic system, with closed-loop pressure control achieving ±1% accuracy. Used to compact the membrane-electrode interface.
●Auxiliary side cylinders (horizontal/angled pressing): For large-format electrode frames (e.g., 1 m × 1.5 m and above), these apply lateral pressure to the outer edges of the frame during lamination, preventing the plastic frame from "opening" or curling at high temperatures.
●Advantage: Speed, position, and pressure for each direction are independently programmable, accommodating complex cross-sectional sealing geometries.
2. Hot-Cold Dual-Mode Temperature Control System
●Heating stage: High-temperature thermal oil or embedded heating rods, with a maximum operating temperature of 200–250°C (depending on the material – approx. 180°C for PP, 220°C for PVDF). Temperature control accuracy of ±2°C ensures uniform melting of hot-melt adhesives or plastic frame surfaces.
●Cooling stage: After the pressing/holding phase, the system automatically switches to circulating cooling water or oil, rapidly lowering the temperature through built-in cooling channels (controllable cooling rate). This quickly solidifies the molten material, reduces molecular chain relaxation, and minimizes internal stress.
●Zoned temperature control: Independent control of upper/lower platens and center/edge zones to match thermal requirements of different thickness regions.
3. Precision Flatness and Parallelism Control
●High-rigidity gantry or four‑/eight‑post guiding structure, combined with linear scales and an electronic closed-loop mold leveling system.
●Hot plate flatness up to 0.05 mm/m, parallelism ≤ 0.1 mm. This is essential for achieving leak-free lamination of large-area (e.g., 1.2 m × 0.8 m) flow battery frames.
4. Process Data Traceability System
●Built-in PLC and industrial touchscreen HMI, providing real‑time recording and export of pressure‑displacement‑temperature‑time curves.
●Supports MES system integration, meeting quality traceability requirements for flow battery production. Every lamination run’s peak pressure, peak temperature, and cooling rate can be retrieved.
1. Material loading: Place the lower electrode frame, gasket, ion exchange membrane, upper electrode frame, and other components in sequence.
2. Preheating and mold closing: Upper and lower platens are heated to the set temperature. The main cylinder servo‑drives a slow mold closure with low contact pressure (pre‑press) to expel interlayer air.
3. Hot pressing (dwell): Main cylinder pressure is increased to the set high value, while the side cylinders extend to compress the edges of the frame. The temperature and pressure are held for a defined period (e.g., 30–300 seconds), allowing the plastic to melt and flow, forming a sealed joint.
4. Cooling and setting: Pressure is maintained while the system switches to circulating cooling to rapidly lower the hot plate temperature below the plastic’s heat deflection temperature (e.g., 50–60°C).
5. Pressure release and part removal: Side cylinders retract, the main cylinder opens the mold, and the finished electrode frame assembly is removed.
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