Epec's Blog | Electronics Manufacturing Solutions

Switching battery pack suppliers on an existing design introduces risks related to compatibility, component sourcing, and certification. Even when targeting a drop-in replacement, differences in materials, BMS design, and supply chain capabilities can impact performance and manufacturability. Careful validation, supplier evaluation, and recertification planning are essential to ensure continuity.

Creating an application or product requires designs, drawings, and recommendations regarding the function of the application, materials to use, and the dimensions. In addition, a manufacturer also must consider how to power it. Many applications require a portable battery source that can be recharged numerous times and stored safely without future damage.

Whether it is a medical device concept, automotive manufacturing, project, industrial application, or consumer product, companies require large and small battery packs that will ensure their electronic devices and machinery have the longest life cycles without any safety issues. Many of hese battery packs need to be custom made for the specific device before they can be marketed.

Battery pack manufacturing involves a combination of electrochemical processes, cell assembly methods, and electronic control systems that vary based on battery chemistry, application requirements, and safety needs.

Battery pack design and development can be a complex process based upon the power needs of the application. Due to the multiple steps that go into creating a battery pack, we try to work with customers from the concept stage to learn about the project's details regarding the application's power needs, size of the battery pack, and specific components that will be added. We will also need time to acquire the materials for the battery pack, to create the prototyping, and to acquire the certifications that may be necessary based on the chemistry of the battery.

Inductive charging is the process of charging an object without any contact between it and any sort of charger or another charged object, and it can seem like magic. With no wires or visible connections, devices gather a full charge, so how is this possible?

Shipping lithium-ion batteries requires strict adherence to hazardous material regulations due to the risk of thermal runaway, fire, or explosion. Requirements vary by transport mode but consistently include UN 38.3 testing, controlled packaging, and trained, certified personnel. Early planning for compliance, testing, and logistics is critical to avoid delays, rejections, and safety risks.

Rechargeable batteries are everywhere. From the laptops we type on to the portable medical equipment used to perform examinations or provide health record information, rechargeable batteries help to provide products and services to make our lives better. However, not many people know about what goes into recharging a battery in the correct manner, the right charger for certain battery chemistries, and where a battery management system (BMS) fits into the process.

At the conclusion of our webinar – Design Considerations for Lithium Batteries Used in Portable Devices – we had several questions submitted to our presenter, Battery Development Consultant Randy Ibrahim. We compiled these into a readable format on our blog.

Although they may not seem like much of a danger on a day-to-day basis, a lot of people don't realize that all batteries are technically considered to be hazardous by their nature when it comes to the topic of shipping them. This is why, if a consumer goes to the United States Post Office to ship a package, one of the first questions they're asked by a representative has to do with whether or not their parcel contains any items like batteries that could pose a problem during transportation.