| Challenge |
- Dramatically reduce manufacturing cost to meet market demand
for economical solar electric cells.
- Variation in production batch size to meet short-term demand.
- Extremely brittle crystalline material.
- Online testing.
- Integration with 3rd-party technology
|
| Solution |
|
- A complete automated solution for the precision loading, anti-reflective
coating, screen printing, drying, inspection, lead welding, inspection
and sorting of solar electric cells.
- A unique approach for simultaneously welding leads to the top,
bottom and sides of the solar cells, eliminating cracking due
to uneven loading.
- High-accuracy vision inspection for flatness, color, cracks
and edge chipping.
- Seamless integration with 3rd-party TiO2
ovens for drying and thermal processing.
- Complete performance testing, sorting and offloading.
|
| Technologies Used |
- ATS Superbot™
- Vision inspection system
- Precision dispensing system
- Medium frequency precision welding system
- ATS cell solar simulations & cell sorting
test system
- ATS molded urethane pallet fixturing & totes
- Integration with ovens
|
| Performance
Achieved |
- Machine design cycle time of 3 seconds per part.
- Design system uptime of 90%.
|
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