Coating Lines

Coating Line for Battery Separator Film

Precision coating for next-gen battery performance

Battery Separator Film Excellence

Precision in Motion: Battery Separator Film Coating Line

Our high-speed coating line is purpose-built for battery separator films - featuring ultra-low tension web handling, drying without contact on the coated side, high precision of the ceramic coating, and advanced automation. From application to seamless roll transitions, experience how we engineer every detail for speed, safety, and scalability in next-generation energy storage manufacturing.

Built to master your battery separator film challenges

Our coating systems feature advanced thermal zoning, web stabilization modules, and no-nip designs – ensuring zero damage to delicate substrates. They seamlessly integrate into upstream and downstream equipment and are optimized for high-speed, continuous operations.

 

Whether your focus is polyolefin films or ceramic-coated separators, our coating solutions scale with your production goals and offer precise control over film density, microstructure, and web alignment.

Web Handling

Stability without stress — designed for ultra-thin, microporous films

 

Separator films, especially those as thin as 6-9 µm, are highly sensitive to mechanical tension and surface contact. Our web handling architecture is engineered to eliminate stress points and ensure dimensional stability from unwinding to rewinding.

 

Our ultra-low tension design prevents film stretching, wrinkling, or deformation, while vacuum rollers and driven supports stabilize the web without touching the coated side — safeguarding delicate ceramic layers. Shaftless unwinders and rewinders with automated dual-direction splicing allow continuous production with precise tension control, ensuring operational uptime and consistent coating quality.

Drying System

 Controlled thermal performance for high-speed ceramic coating lines 

Drying ceramic-coated separator films requires gentle yet efficient heat application, especially at high line speeds. Our systems use zoned temperature control, ensuring consistent drying of wet coatings without damaging the microporous structure. The preferred heating system of the customer can be used. 

With 4–5 customizable drying zones for each coating on top and bottom side, the system adapts to both speed and coating thickness, supporting production rates of up to 400 m/min. The Liftex™ hood system enables quick access for maintenance, reducing downtime. 

Coating Control

Micron-level precision, even at full-scale throughput 

Separator film performance depends on uniform coating thickness and porosity. The web guiding is optimized for full width coating without edge strips. Our coating modules use high performance micro-gravure ceramic coating systems with pressure chamber feeding that deliver tight layer control on both sides of the web at full production speed. The system ensures consistent 2 µm coating per side with clean edge hold. 

The result: a wrinkle-free, uniform separator with predictable electrochemical behavior. This precision improves line efficiency and reduces waste. 

Automation & Intelligence

Smarter lines that learn, adapt, and optimize in real time 

Process stability and traceability are non-negotiable in separator film manufacturing. Non-contact inline thickness measurement and surface inspection systems can be integrated to track coating quality continuously. IIoT integration is also available, providing real-time diagnostics, predictive maintenance alerts, and cloud-based remote support to keep your production lines optimized and downtime to a minimum. 

To support plant-wide efficiency, our systems can also integrate seamlessly with AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) for automated roll transport and changeover, helping reduce manual handling and improving overall workflow speed and safety. 

Technical Specifications

Precision Coating & Web Handling

Separator film coating demands more than just speed - it requires absolute control over web handling, coating uniformity, and thermal consistency. Our systems are engineered to meet the tightest production tolerances, even under the extreme conditions of high-speed, roll-to-roll processing. From ultra-low tension threading to ceramic slurry compatibility and advanced drying configurations, every specification is calibrated to ensure reliable, repeatable output for microporous and ceramic-coated films. Explore the technical backbone that powers separator film quality at scale.

Technical Specifications

Substrate Type

microporous Polyolefin (PE/PP)

Web Thickness

6-9 µm

Coating Type

Ceramic (wet process)

Ceramic Layer Thickness

approx. 2 µm (per side)

Line Speed (max)

400 m/min

Film Width

Up to 2,000 mm

Drying System

4–5 zone, various heating systems

Tension Control

Ultra-low web tension, no-nip

Expand functionality for process control

Separator film coating lines operate under narrow tolerances with highly sensitive substrates and complex ceramic formulations. To ensure peak productivity, material consistency, and digital traceability, Matthews Engineering offers a suite of advanced modules that integrate seamlessly with your line architecture. 

Whether optimizing line uptime, minimizing material waste, or ensuring continuous quality validation, each enhancement is engineered to support scalable, intelligent manufacturing for next-generation energy storage materials. 

Tension Control with motorized dancers

Motorized dancers compensate dynamically for web tension fluctuations, which is essential for maintaining consistent coating layer thickness and mechanical stability, especially at varying speeds and across different roll diameters. 

Non-Contact Web Cleaning

Surface purity affects coating adhesion and downstream battery cell performance. Web cleaning equipment can be provided optionally in case it is needed. It uses ionized air jets or brushless systems to remove micro-particles, dust, or slurry residue from the substrate—without surface abrasion. 

Inline Thickness Measurement

High-resolution, non-contact laser or optical sensors monitor coating thickness in real-time across the full web width. Integrated into a closed-loop control system, it enables automatic correction for layer deviations—ensuring stable 2 µm ceramic coatings with sub-micron repeatability. 

Slitting & Splicing Systems

Precision slitting units allow inline width control and edge trimming to specification. Automated or semi-automated splicing systems maintain web continuity during roll changes, significantly reducing material loss and downtime in high-speed production environments.

Smart Marking Modules

High-speed, digital marking heads apply batch IDs, quality status, or traceability data directly onto the separator film. Markings remain legible without affecting the substrate—simplifying compliance, quality assurance, and downstream cell assembly workflows. 

Remote Access & Cloud Support

IIoT-based platform enables secure remote diagnostics, parameter tuning, and firmware updates. Real-time performance data and predictive analytics help reduce service response time, enable proactive maintenance, and ensure line availability across global sites. 

Designed for Your Advantage

Every component of our separator film coating line is purpose-built to solve real production challenges—whether you’re scaling up to meet demand or fine-tuning for precision. With a focus on durability, control, and seamless integration, these features combine to deliver consistent uptime, uncompromising quality, and future-ready flexibility. From ultra-thin film handling to smart automation, these design principles turn engineering complexity into competitive advantage.
Very Sturdy and Compact Design

Reinforced frame delivers mechanical stability with a space-saving footprint.

Independent Drive Rollers

Each roller powered and controlled independently for exact web guidance.

Automation Ready

Smart control panels, intuitive UI, and AMR integration for scalable production.

Development Partner

From first trials to turnkey production - Matthews Engineering is your one-stop partner.

Key applications & industry sectors

Discover how our precision technologies and intelligent processes are driving innovation across additional markets and materials.
Multi-Roll-Calender

Designed for dry electrode processing in low-volume production lines, this multi-roll calender ensures uniform densification without solvents. Its compact, modular layout is ideal for pilot-scale runs or early-phase commercialization.

Calender for Continuous Coated Battery Electrodes

High-speed, precision calendering for roll-to-roll coated electrodes - ensuring uniform thickness, density, and mechanical integrity in large-scale lithium-ion production.

Calender for Intermittent Coated Battery Electrodes

Designed for intermittent patterns and pulse-coating lines, this calender ensures stable compaction and smooth transitions between coated and uncoated web sections.

Laboratory Calender GK 300 L for battery electrodes

Compact, configurable calendering unit for R&D and pilot-scale applications - perfect for material testing, parameter optimization, and pre-production validation.

Laboratory Calender GK 300 L 6R for battery electrodes

A high-precision, six-roller calender system designed for R&D and small-batch production. Ideal for material validation, parameter optimization, and pilot-scale trials - offering full control over compaction, temperature, and web handling in a compact footprint.

Battery

Whether producing lithium-ion pouch cells or cylindrical solid-state batteries, our calender systems help you enhance electrode performance, energy density, and production yield.

Let’s talk about your needs

Whether you're planning a new production line, upgrading your systems, or exploring tailored solutions, we're here to help move your business forward.
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