VisiConsult and Glimpse launch high-resolution full-cell scanning capability for the battery industry
14/11/2024
VisiConsult, a leader in X-ray inspection technology, and Glimpse, a leader in X-ray-powered battery quality management solutions, have partnered to launch VisiConsult’s VCB2, which is said to be the world’s highest throughput computed tomography (CT) scanner. The scanner is now available for customers across the battery cylindrical cell industry.
The first-of-its-kind system was specifically designed for the cylindrical cell market and unlocks full-cell 20 µm-resolution scans in seconds. VisiConsult designed the VCB2 with the aim of it being the first commercially available full-cell CT scanner that uses Excillum’s MetalJet, which is said to be the world’s brightest X-ray source. When combined with Glimpse’s scan image processing technology, the VCB2 system supports all cylindrical form factors and can generate a high-resolution scan of a full battery cell every few seconds.
“We are excited to provide the global cylindrical cell market with the first ever in-line 3D metrology tool. Given the challenge of operating a gigafactory profitably, this technology will be instrumental in maximising production yields,” said Bernhard Mürkens, Head of VCbattery, a division of VisiConsult.
 | ||
| The Glimpse Portal quality management system is compatible with the VCB2 |
To turn TB/min of raw scans into actionable quality insights for battery producers, Glimpse has made its quality management solution, the Glimpse Portal, compatible with the VCB2 system. Glimpse will receive and install a VCB2 unit at its headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, in Q2 2025, which will be used to demonstrate the breakthrough capabilities and commercial viability of the technology partnership.
“VisiConsult sets the benchmark for delivering customer-centric computed tomography scanning systems,” said Eric Moch, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Glimpse. “By having Glimpse’s quality management system (QMS) product integrated with the VCB2 system, battery producers will gain fresh insights into the quality of their cells at an unprecedented scale. This will enable faster factory ramp ups, more reliable batteries and ultimately a safer transition to an all-electric world.”
 | ||
| VisiConsult’s VCB2 has been launched to support customers across the battery cylindrical cell industry |
The technology partnership is intended to spur manufacturing across the US$65 billion (approximately £49.8 billion) high-growth battery cylindrical cell sector, which is estimated to reach in excess of US$300 billion (approximately £230 billion) by 2032. Driven by demand from automotive manufacturers, cell production continues to scale quickly and will require support from scalable and holistic quality control solutions.
