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Product Briefing Outline: Komax Solar has developed new sealing equipment for thin film modules. The new equipment enables a continuous and precise hot melt dispensing of high-viscous butyl. The hot application of the butyl improves the adhesion and therefore the protection of the module against humidity. The higher accuracy of the hot melt butyl placement (compared to the commonly used butyl stripes) allows a simpler system for the EVA or PVB cutting and marriage. In addition, the dispensing out of barrels enables a 24-hour operation without material exchange.

Problem: Thin film solar cells are sealed with butyl tape to protect the active layers from humidity. The commonly used butyl tape is extruded onto a liner and provided on a reel. However, the tolerances of the liner as well as of the tape are high and the small reels needs to be exchanged several times per operating shift. In addition, the adhesion of the tape is very sensitive to the cleanliness of the glass.

Solution: With the new hot melt sealing equipment from Komax, the butyl is not extruded onto a liner, but directly onto the glass. By this, one process step can be eliminated and the material costs are reduced. The high-viscous butyl is pumped from a barrel to dispensing head. The shape of the butyl can be easily adapted to the required width and height. A 200kg barrel will be consumed in approximately 2 days, whereas a butyl reel last's only for about one hour. In addition, the application with the hot melt dispenser leads to an improved adhesion and a higher accuracy. A higher accuracy enables the use of a simpler foil cutting and marriage equipment.

Applications: Thin film photovoltaic modules (substrates as well as superstrates).

Platform: Komax supplies equipment for the crystalline module production and for thin film back end module production. The thin film sealing equipment is part of the Komax thin film pre-lamination line, but can also be integrated into existing lines.

Availability: Currently available.