Method and apparatus for evaluating a weld junction between a terminal and an electrode element of a battery cell

A test fixture for evaluating a weld seam that joins a tab portion of an electrode foil element of a battery cell and a terminal, the test fixture comprising:

• an end effector including an electrical test circuit including a current source electrically connected to a plurality of paired current probes and a data acquisition system electrically connected to a plurality of paired voltage probes, wherein the plurality of paired voltage probes and the plurality of paired current probes are disposed to straddle the weld seam in a plurality of zones when the end effector compressively engages the terminal of the battery cell;
• a controller, in communication with the electrical test circuit and the data acquisition system of the end effector,
• the controller including an instruction set, the instruction set being executable to:
• apply an electrical current between the terminal and the electrode foil element in each of the zones, and
• determine a resistance across the terminal and the electrode foil element in each of the zones, and
• evaluate integrity of the weld seam for each of the zones based upon the resistance between the terminal and the electrode foil element in the zone.