1、What is a cylindrical battery grooving machine?

The cylindrical battery grooving machine is a core processing equipment in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries, nickel-hydrogen / nickel-cadmium batteries. Specifically, it is a dedicated machine that uses mechanical rolling or cutting methods to precisely machine grooves on the surface of cylindrical battery shells with specifications such as 18650, 21700, and 26650. Its core function is to form uniform grooves at designated positions on the battery shell, providing a sealing reference for the installation of sealing rings in the subsequent packaging process. At the same time, the groove structure enhances the stability of the cell fixation and prevents electrolyte leakage and damage to the cell due to vibration.

2、Core Application Scenarios

High-capacity lithium battery mass production scenario: In the battery pack factory of new energy vehicles, for the large-scale production of 21700 type cells, the fully automatic cylindrical battery grooving machine can achieve a processing efficiency of 40 PPM (that is, 40 pieces per minute), and after continuous operation for 72 hours, the depth error of the slots is still controlled within ±0.03 mm, meeting the strict requirements for consistency of battery power.

Consumer electronics battery processing scenario: When manufacturing 18650 batteries for mobile phones and laptops, the equipment needs to be compatible with extremely thin aluminum alloy casings (thickness ranging from 0.2 to 0.3 mm). Through optimizing the cutter angle (10° design) and using a flexible clamping system, deformation or scratches of the casing can be avoided, and the yield rate is increased to over 99%, resolving issues such as burrs at the slot openings and elliptical expansion that are prone to occur with traditional equipment.

Special battery customization scenario: For special models such as CR123 lithium primary batteries and 32650 energy storage batteries, the equipment can quickly switch parameters through the HMI touch screen. The depth adjustment range of the cell is 1.2 - 2.0mm, and the width can be flexibly adapted according to the thickness of the tool (1.1 - 1.5mm). It supports small batch customized production, and the response cycle is shortened to 3 - 7 days.

3、Comparative Analysis

4、Frequently Asked Questions

(1) Why are the cutting teeth of the grooving machine prone to damage?

The main reasons include: ① The diamond cutting wheel becomes deformed or becomes too blunt (regular inspection is required; replace when the wear exceeds 0.05 mm); ② The two cutting teeth are not parallel, resulting in uneven force distribution (reassembly and calibration are necessary; the parallelism error should be ≤ 0.01 mm); ③ Overload operation (the cutting speed and depth should be controlled to avoid exceeding the rated power of the motor). High-quality cutting teeth are made of hard alloy, and under normal conditions, their service life can reach over 1 million times.

(2) Why is the equipment running with high vibration?

Troubleshooting steps: ① Check if the diamond cutting wheel is deformed; replace with the same specification tool; ② Check if the clamping plate and distance ring are worn; if the surface roughness is > 0.8μm, replace immediately; ③ Test the output shaft bearing; if there is a gap or abnormal noise, replace the bearing assembly. It is recommended to perform equipment calibration regularly (every 100 hours of operation) to ensure the vibration amplitude ≤ 0.1 mm/s.

(3) Can different types of batteries be used on the same grooving machine?

Yes, but two conditions must be met: ① The battery diameter is within the equipment's compatibility range (standard models support diameters of 30mm or less, and special models can extend to 40mm); ② Replace the corresponding molds and tools (such as slot width tools, positioning fixtures), and re-set the parameters through PLC. Mainstream fully automatic models can be compatible with multiple types such as 18650, 21700, 26650, and 32650, and the replacement time is ≤ 30 minutes.

(4) How to handle overheating of the motor when the equipment is running?

First, reduce the cutting speed and depth (to avoid overload), and check if the two grinding wheels are parallel (reassemble and adjust); if the problem is not solved, it is necessary to check if the stator and rotor are scorched (replace the bearings or reassemble), or check the length of the brush (replace if it is less than 5mm). During daily use, ensure that the working environment is well ventilated and avoid running the equipment for a long time in a temperature environment above 40℃.