The manufacturing of the solar cells is a series of complex operations. In various wet-chemical, plasma, and thermal processes, different layers are applied to the silicon substrate. Since the solar cells are very thin (measuring only approximately 180 µm in thickness), the risk of damage is high. Not only during transport and handling in the facility, but also due to the process-related mechanical and thermal stress. At the same time, the characteristics of the solar wafers surface are changing in nearly every processing step – from silvery gleam all the way to almost black color with a monocrystalline or polycrystalline structure.
No matter what place in the process, an Inspector is always the right solution for edge inspection. While the 2D vision sensor with integrated LED ring light delivers excellent performance for gray, etched wafers, the Inspector I20-UV Flex provides maximal reliability when it comes to deep blue, coated solar wafers. So in effect, SICK always deliver a solution without an elaborate backlight.
The Inspector with its integrated illumination, image evaluation, and Ethernet interface is a proven compact and reliable solution for edge inspection, which is also easy to integrate to the industrial environment.
Why I20-UV Flex for solar cells?Solar cells are made to absorb as much light as possible. This is the whole point of a solar cell - to absorb the light and turn that into electricity. The high light absorption makes it difficult to set up a vision solution that gives a good contrast situation between the inspected object and the background if using traditional visible light sources such as red or white LEDs. In addition, variations of ambient light, for example daytime versus nighttime at the point of installation, also require special considerations with the traditional visible light sources. With the new I20-UV Flex all the above are better managed.
For decades, SICK has been one of the world’s most innovative companies in the sensor sector. The latest technological knowledge and processes are implemented in innovative products and system solutions. They position SICK as a technology and market leader in the customer segments of factory, logistics and process automation.
More than 50 innovations and control solutions are planned from February 2009 until February 2010. SICK will launch a new product each week as part of its “SICK Innovation Marathon 2009”. All innovations – from No. 1 to No. 52 – are more than just products: they solve tasks intelligently, efficiently and precisely. And create unbeatable customer advantages.