Apparatus, systems and methods for machining a moving web of electrode material

An apparatus for machining a web made of electrode material, the web having a down-web direction and a cross-web direction, the down-web and cross-web directions being orthogonal to each other, the apparatus comprising:

• a track defining a web path extending in the down-web direction between a first end and a second end;
• a work platform operably coupled to the track, the work platform extending between the first and second ends of the web path, the track being operable to continuously move the work platform from the first end of the web path to the second end of the web path at a conveying speed, wherein the work platform engages with the web at the first end of the web path and disengages from the work surface at the second end of the web path to convey the web along the web path at the conveying speed;
• a machining device located between the first and second ends of the web path, the machining device being operable to act on the web as the web is conveyed at the conveying speed along the web path;
• and
• a vacuum chute to remove debris from the continuously moving work platform.

A process for machining a web made of electrode material, the process comprising:

• moving the web in a down-web direction at a conveying speed;
• controlling a work platform extending between first and second ends of a web path to move continuously at the conveying speed from the first end of the web path to the second end of the web path;
• engaging the continuously moving work platform with the moving web at the first end of the web path;
• machining the moving web at a machining location between the first and second ends of the web path;
• removing debris from the moving work platform at or downstream from the machining location;
• and
• disengaging the moving web from the moving work platform at the second end of the web path.