Product Briefing Outline: The MANZ I-series, backend-line, has a throughput of 2400 cells/ hour, and is claimed to be the fastest backend system available in the market today. One single system includes printing, firing, laser edge isolation, cell testing and sorting for crystalline solar cells. Cell manufacturers are able to buy the system including all options such as firing and testing, as a one shop solution from MANZ. The specific design and the very low breakage rates of the system are designed to improve productivity and lowers cost of ownership (CoO).
Problem: To manufacture crystalline solar cells, electrical contacts must be created on the front and back side of the solar cell. The three metal layers (one on the front and two on the rear side) are created using a screen printing process. Metal particles dissolved in a solvent are transferred to the solar cell trough a textured screen. The wet paste must then be then dried in an oven after each printing step. Existing suppliers of screen printing machine have a maximum throughput of 1500 cells/ hour.
Solution: The MANZ Back-end line is a very compact and highly integrated Back-end system, which prints two cells at once and integrates additional process steps such as firing, laser edge isolation or cell testing and sorting with the same throughput of 2400 cells/ hour. The system is able to replace two traditional screen printing systems and saves investment, space, consumable and labour costs. Additional features include; Printer: A micro crack control system before the first printing step, to lower the breakage rate in the system; Automatic screen cleaning system; Closed loop print control after each individual printing step using MANZ vision systems; Automatic paste dispenser; Tester and Sorter: Electrical measurement using H.A.L.M; Front and rear side measurement using MANZ vision systems 3 D – contamination measurement and Electro luminescence measurement.
Applications: Printing, firing, laser edge isolation and testing and sorting of crystalline solar cells.
Platform: Standardized modules from MANZ I-series are; IML 2400 – Inline Metallization Loader; IPC 2400 – Inline Print Contact; IDF 2400 – Inline Drying furnace; IWB 2400 – Inline Wafer Buffer; IFF 2400 – Inline Firing Furnace; ILE 2400 – Inline Laser Edge Isolation and the ICT 2400 – Inline Cell Tester and Sorter.
Availability: September 2008 onwards.
