The Arnstadt competence center is an important milestone on the path to a global manufacturing network; Picture: Bosch Solar

Half a Billion Euro Investment in Arnstadt

Bosch: New PV-Competence Center Inaugurated

Bosch Group has inaugurated its new photovoltaics center. Overall, the company has invested more than half a billion euros in this facility. In addition to the Solar Energy division‘s headquarters. more...

August 28, 2011

The junction box for photovoltaic modules is easy and flexible to install. It facilitates optimised and reliable production processes - Picture: Weidmüller

Junction Box

Two-piece Design to Simplify Fitting

Weidmüller designed its Photovoltaic Junction Box with IP65 protection and a max. rated current of 8.5 A solely for robot-based, fully automated production of photovoltaic modules. The junction box (1 000 V DC – IEC / 600 V DC – UL) is intended for operation in a temperature range from –40 to 85 °C and complies with the standard DIN V VDE V 0126–5:2008–05. more...

July 29, 2011

No marks left behind, accuracy of positioning, process reliability: the advantages of vacuum handling in photovoltaic production are indisputable provided that the right kind of gripper is used - Picture: Schmalz

String Gripper

No Marks Left Behind

Vacuum specialist Schmalz offers the string gripper series for manual handling (SSG-M) or automated handling (SSG-A). To meet the high process requirements of these applications, both variants are compact gripper units comprising an aluminium profile with a vacuum line, switching technology, valve technology, and suction pads. more...

July 27, 2011

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Conncetor

Automatically Assembled

The pre-assembled PV connector MC4PLUS has now been certified by both TÜV and UL. more...

July 26, 2011

Connector

Made for Robots

The SolarSpec Junction Box, designed for robotic assembly of silicon photovoltaic systems, reduces assembly time and production costs for PV-panel manufacturers. more...

July 25, 2011

The system fulfils guidelines for usage in clean room class 100 according to Federal Standard 209E and is compliant with CE specifications - Picture: Mechatronic

Wafer Handling

With Contact-free Eccentricity Detection

The Taiko Ring Remover TRR200/300 permits fully automated removal of laser-cut rings from laminated 200 mm (8″) and 300 mm (12″) wafers. more...

July 22, 2011

The junction box is also suitable for solar modules with a short circuit current higher than 10A - Picture: Kostal

Junction box

Like a Second Skin

This active photovoltaic junction box shorts itself out when detecting danger and insures a lower dissipation power in cases of opacity. In case of danger the technical forces short down the entire alternating voltage power supply of the building. In addition to that, the direct current voltages circle of the photovoltaic module gets disconnected by activating the current voltage separator. more...

July 21, 2011

Fig. 1: With the camera registration system a manual adjustment of the screens is abdicable - Picture: Kinzel

Printing Line

There is No Escape From the Automatic Fixing Eye

The screen-printing line (roll to roll) for the production of photovoltaic elements is a 2-colour flatbed screen-printing line with a max. printing size of 750 x 750 mm. Equipped with Hot Air and UV dryer it is possible to print solvent and UV inks on flexible substrates like metal, plastics and paper. more...

July 19, 2011

Typical areas of application of these ironless linear motors include assembly and handling technology as well as semiconductor and solar technology Picture: Bosch

Ironless linear Motors

Dynamic Positioning of Small Masses

The new ironless linear motors in Rexroth’s MCL product line position small masses with precision and high synchronisation. These motors are dynamic and easy to integrate into machines. more...

July 7, 2011

Customer-specific modifications are possible to address individual requirements

Connection System

Fast Connection

The Sunclix connection system is a combination of DC plug connector and outlet box to establish a connection to the module. The DC plug connector from Phoenix Contact can be assembled in the field and thus saves time and costs. more...

July 4, 2011

Damage-free handling of wafers and cells with cycle times of less than 1 second is possible

Vacuum Grippers

Wafer and Cell Handling Leaving No Marks

The handling technology found in the SWG (Schmalz Wafer Gripper) ensures process-safe, slip-free, and damage-free handling with cycle times of less than 1 sec. The modular design allows simple adaptation to a wide range of wafer formats and process requirements. more...

July 1, 2011

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The smaller, the greater

Silicon particles – conditioning and cleaning

The quality of the silicon used in their production significantly affects the lifetime of solar cells. Furthermore, silicon is a valuable material. Thus cleaning and recycling of silicon granules and wafer scrap should be a profitable undertaking. However, such cleaning is easier said than done. The small silicon particles are often more contaminated on the surface than silicon chunks as a result of crushing. more...

June 27, 2011

Due to their large conductor cross-section, the cables can be used as a collective line to carry high electric loads

Cables

From aerospace industry to photovoltaics

The photovoltaics product range from U.I. Lapp includes electron beam cross-linked Ölflex Solar XLR cables. more...

June 14, 2011

Fig. 1: Automating processes allows module manufacturers to maximise output for each step in the production process

3 Tips To ImprovE Productivity

New materials enable improved productivity

The photovoltaic market is still growing – at an exponential rate. Simultaneously, worldwide competition is becoming ever tougher and module manufacturers are having to increase their overall efficiency. There are three ways of doing this: process automation; improvement of equipment availability; and reduction of material costs. An automated framing process with foamable sealants could be one component to reach this aims. more...

June 9, 2011

The spectrometer permits identification of any impurities in the highly pure starting materials

Spectrometer

Straightforward, Fast Quality Control

The Spectro Xepos is a XRF spectrometer that can determine the contents of all important elements from sodium to uranium in a single measurement and at an accuracy required by the photovoltaic industry for all relevant elements. more...

June 9, 2011

Inverter

Compact and Highly Efficient

Protect PV Solar String Inverters from AEG Power Solutions are available in ratings of 25 and 33 kW. more...

June 7, 2011

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