Epec's Blog | Electronics Manufacturing Solutions

At the conclusion of our webinar, Challenges Designing and Manufacturing Lithium-Ion Battery Packs, we had several questions submitted to our presenter, Randy Ibrahim, Battery Development Consultant at Epec. We have compiled these questions into a readable format on our blog.

Companies and individuals may store batteries outside the device as backup power when there is a power failure, or when storing extra battery packs. Another reason to store external batteries is when the device won't be used often as the device may drain the battery even when turned off due to internal monitoring systems.

Applications working in indoor and outdoor environments deal with fluctuating temperatures that impact how batteries operate. While batteries have wide operating ranges, working them at the extreme ends of their designated ranges can impact performance and battery life.

Lithium-ion batteries are used for high-powered devices and applications as they provide steady power in demand. They are found in phones, laptops, electric vehicles, and other devices. While lithium-ion batteries provide optimal battery power, optimizing the cell life ensures that the batteries can last for many years.

Due to the vast shapes of electronics and other applications that function on battery power, battery cells also come in different shapes to fit the application. Two common types of shapes are prismatic cells and cylindrical cells. Both offer specific qualities to the application, whether you are looking for cost-effective batteries that are easy to mass produce or batteries with a higher capacity range.

Battery chemistries that are lithium-based must undergo UN38.3 testing requirements before being transported. This testing certifies that the batteries are safe and will not pose a safety risk during shipping over air, water, rail, or road transportation methods.

Around the world, battery pack manufacturers are dealing with supply chain issues. These issues are impacting lead times when they gain battery cell chemistry and battery management system materials.

Mil-aero devices live in a special place in the worlds of design and engineering. These are devices that are often subjected to extraordinary environments. They have extreme requirements, and they often must function in the harshest environments of the world.

Charging batteries, whether they are small batteries in laptops to large ones in electric vehicles, requires the right rate of charge based on the battery chemistry. While technology has provided more ways for people to charge their electronics, especially portable devices, customers are looking at ways to speed up the process so they can use their items faster.

Designing medical devices is no simple task. The stakes are higher for these devices compared to most other industries. Because of that, medical device engineers need to think carefully about which design elements should be prioritized.