Application of EX Expansion IO Module in Lithium Battery Cell Baking Process

Lithium battery cells, as the core component of lithium batteries, directly influence the overall performance and safety of the battery. Therefore, the baking process in cell manufacturing is critical to ensuring product quality.

Decowell Remote IO has won the trust of customers by meeting the needs for
Stability and high precision in the battery core baking process.

01 Battery Cell Baking Industry Overview

Cell baking is a key step in lithium battery cell production, aiming to remove internal moisture and volatile substances. This improves cell stability and ensures the safety and reliability of the final battery.

Cells that have not been properly baked retain large amounts of moisture and volatile compounds. This can cause issues such as short circuits, swelling, or even safety hazards during battery use. Therefore, a well-controlled baking process is essential for maintaining battery performance and user safety.

02 Challenges in Battery Cell Baking Automation

To ensure the control system operates reliably during baking, the IO modules must meet strict requirements:

• Temperature Control:

Baking temperature critically affects the baking effect. If the temperature is too low, moisture and volatiles are not fully removed. If it is too high, the internal materials of the cell can be damaged. Therefore, baking temperature must be set precisely based on the materials, structure, and performance of the battery cell.

Decowell EX expansion IO module operates reliably in environments from -10°C to 55°C, with some custom models able to handle extreme cold down to -30°C. This wide temperature range ensures compatibility with various industrial environments.

• Humidity Control:

Humidity must also be controlled within an optimal range. Excess humidity reduces baking efficiency; too low humidity can cause over-drying and damage the cell.

The baking process demands high accuracy and fast response from sensors connected to IO modules. Decowell EX analog modules feature 12-bit resolution and 0.1% accuracy, providing the precision needed for effective humidity monitoring and control.

Additionally, moisture inside the electrical cabinets can corrode PCB boards, shortening device lifespan. Decowell offers an EX input output module with optional conformal coating (“three-proof” paint) to resist harsh conditions such as acidic corrosion and moisture, enhancing durability for demanding industrial processes.

03 Decowell EX Series Solution

In this project, equipment manages the logistics, scheduling, and baking functions for power batteries, covering battery scanning, loading, buffering, baking, moisture testing, cooling, temperature monitoring, and unloading.

The main control station is an Omron NX series PLC. All signals are processed by the EX series modular digital IO. Each production line handles approximately 500 digital I/O points and around 120 analog channels, with one EX modular IO system per machine.

Decowell modules demonstrate excellent protection and stability under the high-temperature baking environment. Their stable communication and rapid response effectively replace legacy, higher-cost systems, delivering a high-performance yet cost-effective solution that customers highly appreciate.

Main Controller: Omron NX series
Applicable Process: Battery Cell Baking
Project IO Configuration: Approx. 500 digital points and 120 analog channels per line

04 EX Expansion IO Module Features

The EX Expansion IO system consists of adapter modules, IO modules, power modules, and terminal modules. It has undergone rigorous EMC and temperature testing to ensure stable and reliable operation, making it an excellent choice for automation solutions.

Product Features:

• Stable communication, fast response, easy operation, and high efficiency

• Rich bus protocol support: EtherCAT, PROFINET, DeviceNet, CC-Link, EtherNET/IP, Modbus-RTU, CC-Link IEF Basic, and more

• Wide signal variety: digital, analog, temperature, encoder, and free communication modules available

• Compact structure: Each IO module supports up to 32 digital points

• Strong expansion capability: a single adapter can expand up to 32 IO modules with fast coupling scan speed

• Easy installation: standard DIN35 rail mounting with plug-in terminals, tool-free installation