IMA Automation offers compact ‘modustringer’ with adhesive dispensing option

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  The modustringer series realizes a single-track throughput of 1,200 cells per hour

IMA Automation Berlin has significantly enhanced and upgraded its ‘modustringer’ series. The new modustringer has been reduced in length by one third and offered at lower-price points compared to the orginal system introduced 2-years ago. According to IMA Automation the new system features a simplified process flow and increased service friendliness. The modustringer series realizes a single-track throughput of 1,200 cells per hour. The glue-dispenser option aims for future solutions in the fully automated stringing of Si-PV modules.

Problem

Key requirements for module assembly are productivity while still ensuring careful handling of solar cells to minimize breakage rates. Perfectly soldered strings at high rates reduce production costs and improve module performance and longevity.
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Solution

The new, shorter modustringer system variant comes without an integrated electroluminescence inspection stage for incoming cells. This significantly reduces the complexity of its transport logistics yet keeps in place all subsequent basic process steps. Incoming cells continue to be checked in regard to outbreaks, fissures, etc. A key advancement to the system has been the functional decoupling of tasks within its incoming process stations. Due to its autonomy in cell feeding, the modustringer keeps running for one hour without operator intervention. Another modustringer strength is its new flux station with piezo-based valves. This allows jet fluxing with adjustable fluxing areas in the front and back of the cells for selective soldering. Another innovation is the in-line ribbon preparation, which is carried out in parallel. Besides significantly simplified handling this enables automatic adjustment to various busbar distances. The stretch forming of the ribbon material can be defined as a path or load-dependent option.

Applications

Silicon cell module stringing.

Platform

Despite being a standard machine, the modustringer allows for versatile modular configuration of many customer-friendly special solutions – due to the functional separation of ribbon and cell preparation. With its future-proof modular concept and customer-oriented versatility, the modustringer platform is suited for all standard cell soldering (at module lengths up 2.40 meters) work, as well as advanced adhesive (hot melt, etc.) processing.

Availability

September 2011 onwards