What Is an Electro-Deposited Copper Foil Machine and How Does It Work?

With the continuous growth of the lithium battery industry and the increasing demand for high-performance electronic materials, the Electro-deposited Copper Foil Machine has become one of the most critical pieces of production equipment in modern manufacturing. It is the core machinery used in lithium battery foil production, ensuring high purity, smoothness, and precision thickness in copper foil output.

What Is an Electro-Deposited Copper Foil Machine?

An Electro-deposited Copper Foil Machine is a highly advanced piece of industrial equipment specifically engineered to produce ultra-thin, high-purity copper foil through a precise electrolytic deposition process. This state-of-the-art machine is widely used in lithium battery foil production, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and the manufacturing of various high-performance electronic components, where consistent foil quality is critical.

This lithium battery foil production machine operates in a fully continuous production mode, enabling copper ions to be uniformly deposited onto a rotating cathode roller under carefully controlled electrolysis conditions. The result is high-quality copper foil with a highly stable thickness, smooth surface finish, and superior mechanical properties.

Equipped with advanced control systems, the machine ensures that each layer of copper foil consistently meets the stringent industry requirements for electrical conductivity, adhesion, corrosion resistance, and durability. This makes it an indispensable solution for modern energy storage, electronics, and new energy applications, where precise foil performance directly affects the efficiency and reliability of final products.

Equipment Composition of the Electro-Deposited Copper Foil Machine

The Electro-deposited Copper Foil Machine is composed of several advanced modules that work together seamlessly to achieve precision and efficiency:

These systems form a complete copper foil production line, designed for continuous operation and high output consistency.

How Does the Electro-Deposited Copper Foil Machine Work?

The working principle of the Electro-deposited Copper Foil Machine involves the following steps:

Electrolytic Deposition：

In the Electro-deposited copper foil machine, the production process begins with electrolytic deposition, which is the core step in forming high-quality copper foil. During this stage, copper ions in the electrolyte solution are dissolved and transported to the surface of a rotating cathode roller under controlled electrical current. As the ions reach the roller, they undergo a reduction reaction and are deposited evenly, forming a thin and continuous copper layer.

The Mitsubishi or Lenz control system ensures that the current density, voltage, and temperature remain stable throughout the process. This precise control allows the deposited copper foil to maintain a uniform thickness, smooth surface, and consistent physical properties, which are essential for lithium battery foil production and PCB manufacturing. By optimizing electrolyte circulation and roller speed, the system achieves high efficiency, ensuring that the copper foil production line operates continuously and stably.

Polishing and Surface Treatment：

Once the initial copper layer is formed, it passes through the online polishing section of the Electro-deposited copper foil machine. This part is responsible for refining the foil’s surface quality by eliminating minor imperfections, surface roughness, or uneven deposits that may occur during electrolysis.

The online polishing system uses specialized mechanical brushes and controlled abrasives to gently polish the foil surface, ensuring a fine, bright, and uniform finish. This process not only enhances the foil’s conductivity and adhesion properties but also improves its appearance and handling performance. For lithium battery manufacturers, this step is vital — a smoother foil surface ensures better adhesion of the active material, resulting in higher battery energy density and longer service life.

Moreover, the integration of real-time monitoring systems allows operators to track polishing results instantly, guaranteeing that every roll of copper foil meets strict industrial and quality standards.

Pickling and Washing：

After polishing, the copper foil enters the pickled and washed parts for further purification. This stage is crucial to remove any residual electrolyte chemicals, oxide layers, or micro impurities that may affect the electrical and mechanical properties of the foil.

The pickling process uses a mild acid solution that effectively removes oxides without damaging the foil surface. Following this, the washing section employs multiple water rinsing and drying steps to thoroughly eliminate all traces of chemical residue. This ensures that the copper foil maintains its high purity, excellent conductivity, and corrosion resistance.

Within the copper foil production line, this section represents an essential quality assurance phase. The clean and impurity-free copper foil produced here is ready for further treatment and ensures long-term stability during lithium battery assembly or PCB lamination.

Anti-Oxidation Coating：

Copper is naturally prone to oxidation when exposed to air, which can degrade its conductivity and appearance. To prevent this, the anti-oxidation equipment section of the Electro-deposited copper foil machine applies a thin protective coating to the foil surface immediately after washing.

This coating forms a stable barrier layer that isolates the copper from oxygen and moisture in the environment. The anti-oxidation treatment can be either chemical or physical, depending on the specific production requirements. It enhances the foil’s resistance to discoloration and corrosion during storage, transportation, and downstream processing.

For lithium battery foil production, this step is particularly critical. It ensures that the copper foil maintains its high electrical conductivity and strong bonding strength with electrode materials, even after prolonged exposure to manufacturing environments. The result is a product that meets the stringent durability standards of the energy and electronics industries.

Collection：

After all processing stages are complete, the final copper foil enters the collection section, the last part of the Electro-deposited copper foil machine. Here, the foil is carefully wound onto rolls under precise tension control. This ensures that the copper foil remains flat, wrinkle-free, and tightly wound without stretching or deformation.

The collection system is fully automated and synchronized with the upstream production line, allowing for continuous, high-speed operation. Operators can easily monitor parameters such as foil tension, roll diameter, and winding speed through the Mitsubishi or Lenz control interface.

The finished copper foil rolls are then labeled, inspected, and prepared for further processing or shipment. Whether used in lithium battery production, printed circuit boards, or electronic shielding applications, the foil maintains excellent consistency, mechanical strength, and surface quality.