The OpreXTM Battery Web Gauge ES-5 is an online sheet thickness gauge that Yokogawa Electric Corporation has developed. It will be available as part of the OpreX Quality Control System family in January 2025.
Since launching its first online thickness gauge for sheet manufacturing equipment in 1962, Yokogawa has a long history in this sector. The business has continuously created and delivered updated versions of these goods.
Among these gadgets is the WEBFREX3ES, which has gained widespread acceptance from leading battery producers across the globe. Its intended usage was to fabricate electrode sheets for lithium-ion and other kinds of batteries.
The demand for rechargeable batteries is growing rapidly as a result of the global change in transportation toward electric vehicles. In tandem with this development, battery manufacturers are facing mounting pressure to reduce CO2 emissions from their production processes and increase productivity in a market where prices are becoming more competitive.
In order to meet these needs and maintain the full functionality of the WEBFREX3ES, the OpreX Battery Web Gauge ES-5 was developed.
The box-type frame utilized in the OpreX Battery Web Gauge ES-5 reduces air consumption volume by 90%, weights 75% less, and consumes over 50% less power than the WEBFREX3ES. This reduces CO2 emissions in the supply chain and on the battery production line.
The OpreX Collaborative Information Server serves as the consolidated information management platform for the OpreX Battery Web Gauge ES-5. By integrating these auxiliary processes, it raises production efficiency and facilitates the transition from process-by-process optimization to production line optimization.
Similar to the WEBFREX3ES, the OpreX Battery Web Gauge ES-5 has a safe construction that reduces exposure to copper and other metal powder, thereby removing hazards that could result in rechargeable battery fires.
“We have developed this online thickness gauge for battery electrode sheets that uses the Collaborative Information Server as its system platform, given the movement towards electric vehicles,” stated Hiroshi Tanoguchi, Vice President & Executive Officer of Yokogawa Electric and Head of the Yokogawa Products Headquarters.
