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Industrial inkjet technology company iTi Solar has announced that it has received an order for one of its digital inkjet systems from Solarcoating Machinery GmbH (ScM) of Germany, a supplier of turnkey production line solutions for flexible solar cell fabrication. ScM will use the system for its integrated roll-to-roll solar cell manufacturing production line.

Incorporating iTi Solar’s inkjet system as an optional module for its Click&Coat coating system, ScM will allow cell manufacturers to print on solar cells at a fraction of the cost of traditional analog deposition technologies.

The use of inkjet technology is considered by many to allow for precise printing at a reduced cost, owing to its ability to minimize materials usage and waste through the use of non-contact, digitally controlled, additive materials deposition. It can also reduce the vacuum equipment needed in conventional printing methods.

“Combining inkjet processes in a roll-to-roll or rigid substrate production environment provides many advantages for solar cell manufacturers,” said Dr. Ross Mills, Chairman, CTO and founder of iTi Corporation. “Inkjet is ideal for use with a roll-to-roll process used for flexible substrates. With the addition of iTi Solar, ScM has added another leading-edge technology to its family of pilot line and full production solutions.”