26 July 2012
The 27th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC 2012) is taking place on 24-28 September 2012 at the exhibition centre (hall 3.0, booth J23) in Frankfurt/Main, Germany. The event is considered a significant platform for exchange between science, industry and the global photovoltaic (PV) and solar markets.
Arnold Gruppe in Weilburg, Germany offers process and automation technology for a wide range of processing silicon blocks from one source. Sustained reduction of costs even with permanent quality intensification can only be achieved by a high level of automation in the complete production cycle. Guarantors of success, such as faultless quality, optimum processes and fail-proof processes, are urgently requested for wafer production.
During EU PVSEC, Arnold Gruppe will present three-dimensional (3D) animations introducing a significant number of process and automation concepts for processing monocrystalline and multicrystalline silicon blocks. The core competence of experienced experts is mainly based on the process technique of mechanical cutting, grinding and gluing in combination with the automation of complete production lines. Their spectrum ranges from individual machines via processing centres to custom-made lines.
The fully automatic cropping centre, type 72/454, for processing monocrystalline ingots was designed by Arnold Gruppe for the automatic cutting of end pieces (top and tail) and test wafers (slugs), as well as for the cropping of monocrystalline ingots into segments of 250 millimetres (mm) to 1000mm.
Fully automated cropping centre for monocrystalline ingot processing
(Source: Arnold Gruppe, Weilburg, Germany)
Ingots as long as 3000mm are suitable to be accepted in the well accessible loading area. The approved product portfolio of this segment is completed by the cropping centre and is available now.
Automation doesn't just mean integrating the robotic system into sub-processes by Arnold Gruppe, it means more. Each individual machine must provide not only highest process safety, but also sophisticated sensor technology, highly skilled control techniques and interfaces for peripheral equipment, such as Manufacturing Execution Systems (MESes), are guaranteed. At EU PVSEC 2012, Arnold Gruppe will introduce a fully automatic production line for grinding, cutting and gluing multicrystalline blocks. Each of three successively arranged and connected centres are furnished with an industrial robot. Communications between machine control and robot is done via higher level production and quality control systems (PQS). By means of the process analysing tool Arpat, developed by Arnold Gruppe, data from the continuous process is collected, recorded and analysed, making quality reproducible at any time and granting adjustments of workflow during production.
During EU PVSEC, on Wednesday, 26 September, Arnold Gruppe invites customers and interested parties to attend "Silicon Business Day" by visiting its headquarters in Weilburg. The departure is at 3:00pm with a return to Frankfort at approximately 9:00pm. Machines and solutions for the fields of photovoltaic, solar thermal systems, optical fibres, processing glass- and quartz glass will be explained and partially demonstrated. Bus transfer and hospitality are provided. The number of participants is limited. Please register at this website if you plan to attend.
