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Efficient Automation Solutions for the Solar Industry
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KUKA Systems supplies new innovative photovoltaic solutions
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The PV industry is striving for thinner wafers and high efficiency photovoltaic cells. In addition to the need for higher automation and reliability KUKA Systems’ Energy Team has designed a new generation of wafer gripping solutions which is based on KUKA’s top selling KR Sixx and Scara Robots. Two new gripper technologies will be introduced in 2009:
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High Speed Ultra Thin GripperThis extremely thin and robust solution made of carbon fibre allows high speed gripping and precise positioning at one time. Integrated multiple vacuum channels ensure firmly gripping of the wafers for fast movement and soft holding for accurate positioning.
A special configuration allows an easy rotation through the centre of the cells for placing in cell carriers for wet benches, CVD applications or others. By using carbon fibre, a gripper thickness of 3 mm is made possible, which combines robustness and flexibility at the same time. Hence single wafers or cells can be picked from carriers from any position.. |
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Touchless Gripping and TransportHigh efficiency cells require an extreme handling sensitivity combined with high speed handling. For this purpose, KUKA relies on the solution of German Zimmermann & Schilp combining ultrasound with vacuum technology: An ultrasonic cushion ensures non-contact gripping and avoids wafer warp and vibration while fast and accurate pick and place operations are carried out.
By touching the cell from only one side the edge contact is minimized during the whole transport. Furthermore the Ultrasound Air-Bearing-Technology allows different substrate sizes in one machine and high distances during the picking process. It features low energy consumption as well as a high throughput: cycle time is less than one second per wafer. |
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Benefits of the solutionsBoth solutions are designed for robustness and reliability which are basic requirements for the needs of high automation. Due to a very low demand of compressed and cleaned air the systems have a large advantage compared to other solutions based on the Bernoulli technology. Due to the non-contact gripping the need of repair or spare parts is limited to a minimum as suction cups or cushions are no longer in direct touch with the cells or wafers. Hence costs for spare parts and services remain at a low level.
“With production conditions becoming ever more demanding, engineering competence takes on ever greater importance”, says Albert Vontz, Product Group Manager Solar Technology at KUKA Systems. “Therefore we offer flexible solutions that are tailored to the specific processes in the solar industry and optimally adapted to the customer’s needs. The new gripper technologies are only one example out of a big pool of KUKA solutions”.
KUKA Systems’ Energy Team is specialized in supplying turnkey solutions for the solar industry. Its core competencies are the analysis, modelling and optimization of complex production processes that are integrated and supported on site. |
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KUKA NORDIC ABKUKA Nordic AB is a supplier of flexible, robot-based automation systems for the automotive, aerospace, solar and manufacturing industries and has core competencies in the development, production and sale of industrial robots, controllers, software and linear units. KUKA Nordic AB is based in Göteborg and is a subsidariary of KUKA Systems GmbH and KUKA Roboter GmbH, both based in Augsburg, Germany, with combined more than 6 000 employees worldwide. In 2008, KUKA Systems generated sales of over EUR 937 million, KUKA Roboter EUR 474 million. |
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Date of publication
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| 14/05/2009 |
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We will be happy to help you with press questions:
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KUKA Nordic AB
Företagskommunikation
Phone: +46 31 726 62 00
Fax: +46 31 726 62 01 |
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KUKA Systems GmbH |
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Corporate Communications
Markus Meier
Head of Marketing / Communications
Phone + 49 821 797-2483
Fax +49 821 797-1951
markus.meier@kuka.de
www.kuka.com |
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