Automation and production systems for photovoltaics
Applications
Load- and Unload System with DELTA Kinematics
(PDF 108KB)


  The direct conversion of sunlight into electricity is a forward-looking technology to safeguard the energy supply and reduce pollution. 

For over 15 years, Manz has created automation solutions, production systems and inspection systems for solar cell manufacturing, and has contributed significantly to the trends of this young industry with innovative system solutions.

Both in the field of glass substrate handling for thin-film solar modules and in the manufacturing of solar modules based on silicone solar cells, Manz Automation AG offers innovative and highly efficient automation and production systems.

Manz systems are used by almost all major manufacturers worldwide in the production of solar cells and thin-film solar modules. 

Extensive automation and modern production systems are essential prerequisites for the economic production of solar cells and modules and for the necessary reduction of costs in photovoltaics. 

Precise, high-speed robot systems, used in conjunction with high-performance vision systems, allow cycle times of less than 1.5 seconds with minimal breakage rates. 

The integrated backend line, with a capacity of 50MW, is currently the fastest production line on the market for metallization in screen printing, laser edge isolation and inspection of solar cells. 

In the field of thin-film solar module manufacturing Manz systems are used for automated handling and for transporting the large-format glass substrates. 
A further focal point is the high-precision scribing of thin-film solar modules. 
Manz is one of the world's leading companies in systems for the mechanical scribing of CIS modules and in systems for laser scribing. 


Standardized automation systems –
for economic production of solar cells

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Wafer inspection system
• Fully automatic inspection of wafers
• Optical inspections: 
Geometry, contour, micro cracks, saw marks
• Electrical inspections:
Carrier lifetime, thickness, thickness distribution, resistance
• Throughput 2400 wafers/h
• Minimal breakage rates

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Robot with Delta kinematics
• Automatic loading and unloading of process systems
• High-speed, gentle handling
• Standardized solutions available for all inline process systems
• Vision system for position detection and exact positioning
• Integrated inline quality assurance
• Very short cycle times
• Minimal breakage rates

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Stack to Carrier

• Fully automated system for reloading solar cells from stack to cassette
• Handling system with Bernoulli gripper
• High throughput
• Vision system for position detection and exact positioning
• Minimal breakage rates

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Screen printing plant for solar cells

• Loading module with integrated micro crack inspection
• Throughput 2400 cells/h
• Integrated inspection system for printed image monitoring
• Automatic paste dosing
• Fully integrated paternoster dryer for paste drying
• Standardized interface to firing furnace 
• Minimal breakage rates

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Laser edge isolation
• Fully automated system for edge isolation as well as marking 
and laser-generated back-contacting of solar cells
• Throughput 2400 cells/h
• Integrated vision system for contour detection and position measurement
• Highest precision of complete system with minimal groove edgespacing
• Minimal breakage rates

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High-speed cell tester

• Modular design of test system
– Fully integrated optical inspection of solar cells: 
   Printed image front and back, geometry, contour and color
– Electrical IV measurement with highest precision
– 3D inspection for impurities and deflection
• Sorting module with 12 classes, scalable up to 72 classes
• Automatic or manual box change
• Throughput 2400 cells/h
• Minimal breakage rates


High-performance production systems for the manufacturing of thin-film solar modules

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Mechanical scribing of CIS/CIGS modules

• Substrate size 600 x 1200 mm to 1100 x 1700 mm
• High-precision machine structure in polymeric concrete
• High-precision machine structure in polymeric concrete
• Image processing for substrate calibration and compensation
• Cutter heads in different designs for adapted system throughput
• Efficient suction  
• Inline-capable systems for integration into material flow

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Laser scribing of thin-film solar modules

• Substrate size 600 x 1200 mm to 1100 x 1700 mm and larger 
• High-precision machine structure in polymeric concrete
• Dynamic linear motor drives with highest precision
• Image processing for substrate calibration and compensation
• Up to 4 parallel-operating lasers for maximum throughput
• Integrated lasers with 532nm and 1064nm
• Efficient suction 
• Inline-capable systems for integration into material flow

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Laser edge ablation for thin-film solar modules

• Substrate size 600 x 1200 mm to 1100 x 1700 mm and larger  
• Can be used for all standard thin-film technologies
• Dynamic linear motor drives with highest precision
• Laser process with highest removal rate
• Excellent electrical isolation
• Very clean process thanks to efficient suction 
• Inline-capable systems for integration into material flow

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Conveyor technique/Materials handling technology

• Handling of thin-film solar modules with 6-axis robots 
• Loading and unloading of trolleys/AGVs
• Conveyor technique 
• Storage concepts 
• All products in clean-room design 

In addition, based on more than 15 years of experience in handling glass substrates for LCD manufacture, Manz offers comprehensive system solutions for automation in the manufacture of thin-layer modules. 

The product range extends from simple transport systems for glass substrates through to complex buffer systems and robot systems in clean-room design.

 

  
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