Aspects involve systems and methods for producing an electrode laminate for a battery that includes a tension device to maintain tension on an electrode stack as the stack is cut into a shape. The tension device may include a first roller and a second. The upper roller may rotate in a counterclockwise direction as the lower roller rotates in a clockwise direction to pull or otherwise draw a skeleton of a cut stack through the tension device. A collection of spaced flexible and resilient flaps may be connected to the upper roller and may rotate with the upper roller. A contacting edge of each of the flaps may contact the skeleton of the stack and gently pull the skeleton through the tension device providing a relatively continuous pull on the stack as it proceeds through a cutting station.