SOLARAWARDS2011 SHORTLISTED
PV Tool Award
repeatability for Print on Print applications; capability (PoP) - +/- 12.5 microns at 2 Cpk Selective Emitter Accuracy - +/- 12.5 microns at 2 Cpk Multi-language intuitive GUI control industry-leading delivery times backed up by worldwide service teams and 24/7 spare parts availability
Noteworthy Eclipse
DEK Solar is the global provider of screen printing equipment and processes for fuel cell and solar cell manufacture. The Eclipse platform is a very high throughput complete metallization solution for commercial solar cell production.
Challenge
Given the growing importance of solar as an alternative energy source, manufacturers around the world are facing a demand to supply silicon solar cells in abundance. They need to maximise utilisation, yield and productivity whilst also achieving a low total cost of ownership. Additionally, as market demand continues to fluctuate, manufacturers need to be available to scale production as necessary. New processes that reduce shadowing of the cell surface boost cell efficiency, and these demand special applications capability and absolute print precision. Eclipse helps to address each of these challenges.
Eclipses primary advantage lies in an unprecedented and highly flexible modular design concept. Featuring a series of field-retrofittable process modules, Eclipse enables manufacturers to easily scale production to 1200, 2400 or 3600 wph as demand dictates. Furthermore, for manufacturers who foresee a production ramp, the metallization line can be designed accordingly, by inserting spacer process modules equipped with conveyors where future production modules will be added in. When production demands an increased throughput capability, these spacers can simply be swapped out for additional functional capacity. The primary process modules, including the print head and unloader, incorporate full control systems and are designated as master units. Additional field retrofittable process expansion modules operate as secondary slaves, hooking up to the master control units in the primary modules. By eliminating the cost of additional control units, the scaling process is simple, fast and cost effective. With the Eclipse platform, manufacturers can plan an easy, non-disruptive, cost-effective scale up and future proofed path.
Problem Solved Fully modular & configurable metallization line allow manufacturers to scale production from 1200 to 3600 wafers per hour, as demand dictates Parallel print head processing options maximise productive uptime Integrated vision inspection for ultimate process and quality control Fast yet sensitive handling; high speed, zero edge contact for negligible breakage rates Multiple conveying, flipping, buffering & stacking options Superior positional accuracy for high yield precision Industry-leading
Innovation Perhaps the most compelling aspect of Eclipse is the fact that it has been designed with change very much in mind. Todays manufacturers know that their future success lies in being ready to embrace and run with changing circumstances, be they new market demands, technologies, customer locations, government policy or any of the myriad factors that impact the solar industry. Recognising this, DEK Solar has developed a solution that can be reconfigured on an ongoing basis according to budgetary and production needs. After all, why should a
manufacturer invest in equipment before it is really necessary? This unique approach to manufacturing configurability satisfies
the demands of even the most progressive solar cell manufacturers, allowing them to protect their initial investments into the future, no matter how unclear that future may be, and enabling them to build their capabilities as their needs grow, with a selection of capabilities that make Eclipse quite simply the most versatile, best-designed metallisation solution for the solar industry today.
Edwards Vacuum Ltd
STP-iXA 2206/iXA3306 Family of MagLev Turbomolecular Pumps
The STP-iXA2206/iXA3306 are a family of fully-integrated magnetically-levitated turbomolecular vacuum pumps developed for CIGS solar, glass coating, semiconductor and LCD applications. The iXA 3306 offers an industry-leading pumping performance of 3200 liters per second and improved throughput at high gas flows. The STP-iXA2206 offers a pumping performance of up to 2200 liters per second. These mag-lev turbopumps have a small footprint and are easy to install. They feature an integrated onboard controller that eliminates the need for control rack unit mounting and a connection cable between the pump and the control unit, saving installation time, space and cost. Their compact design and size compatibility with previous models simplifies upgrades from existing pumps.
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Challenge
They specifically address the risk to aluminium pump parts posed by the use of gallium and selenium in CIGS manufacturing operations. These two elements readily diffuse into aluminium, reducing its strength. In the case of
www.solar-pv-management.com Issue VII 2011
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