AUTOMATION
wafer handling between the process steps,
box/tray/boat loading & unloading, and vision
guided conveyor loading & unloading. Each
benefits from the automation process by virtue of
automation’s speed, accuracy and efficiency. One
such application is a cell being used in an
inspection system to load and unload inspection
machines that are also sorters that will grade the
cells and then sort them into different bins.
Another application example is a cell using
robotics to transfer cassettes containing solar
wafers to a machine where a process occurs, such
as putting an anti reflective coating on the cells,
and then the robots transfer the completed product
to conveyors in trays or boats to be sent to the
next step or process machine. The obvious investment. Taking a lesson from previous
advantage being again speed, accuracy, efficiency industries that adopted automation is a good bet
and the ability to work 24/7 if need be. Additionally, for solar manufacturers. Our company agrees with
certain processes produce cells that are 150
0
C this analysdis and have introduced a product line
making automation the only way to handle them of automation solutions which was designed and
without the need to wait for a cool down allowing optimized specifically for the solar industry.
manual manipulation.
The product line consists of SCARA and parallel
Robots are being utilised now within the solar robots, controls, vision and software. Particularly
19
industry such as Adept Technology’ robots well suited for solar applications is the company’s
currently handling, inspecting and sorting solar Adept Quattro s650 parallel robot with integrated
www
cells in all the steps in the process at several vision which allows manufacturers to handle and
.solar
leading solar manufacturer’s facilities. The robots inspect at a very fast rate of speed. The robot
are doing a faster job of transferring solar cells shape, the way it mounts and the size of the work
-pv-management.com
from one process to the next. envelope is ideal for solar cell machine loading
and unloading. Just one example of the company’s
With advanced computer algorithms and gripper line of solar offerings.
technology robots are able handle the delicate job
of handling solar cells more reliably and State of the art technology using vision guidance
consistently than people can. Because of that it for fast, precise motion will be vital for
allows the cells to be transferred more quickly from manufacturers of solar wafers and solar cells, as
Issue II 2009
step to step with less breakage. As solar they adopt new manufacturing equipment to
manufacturer’s move to thinner and thinner silicon maximize production throughput. Automation will
solar cells they will require delicate handling be key to reaching grid parity.
because these cells will be more fragile and brittle.
The difference between a 150 micron solar cell
compared to a 300 micron thick cell is substantial
and automating this process will be vital.
Manufacturers in the know understand that the
only way that they can be competitive in the global
economy is by automating which allows them to
maximize throughput in the factory, lower scrap
rate and reduce labour costs.
A typical robot cell can process approximately 45-
75 solar cells a minute significantly faster than a
manual process. A typical robot solar handling cell
will range from $100,000 to $200,000 which
considering the cost of paying and maintaining
multiple employees to do the same job is
extremely cost effective and a good return on
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44