Highlights: products and solutions
Gentle and reliable gripping
The application: during the production process the wafers need to be picked up constantly and reliably to transfer them to the various different production steps. This demands speed in order to keep the production costs of the modules as low as possible. Gentle handling is also required as the wafers must not break.
The challenge: the further the wafer production process progresses, the more refined the wafer is and the more valuable it becomes. Suitable gripper technology at the right moment is therefore essential for workpiece handling as well as for reduced investment and energy costs for the machines.
Gripping with Bernoulli suction cups
Shadows on the wafer will reduce the performance of the subsequent solar cell. Such shadows are frequently created by residues that remain on the surface of the wafer after gripping. The Bernoulli suction cup grips the wafers almost without contact and repositions them reliably. Compared to vacuum suction cups, the Bernoulli suction cup uses pure compressed air. This air is forced outwards through a tiny ring-shaped gap, resulting in a suction effect that lifts the wafer gently but reliably and doesn't leave any residue on the wafer. Depending on the application, optional inserts made of stainless steel, polymer, PEEK or aluminium are available. A high-end solution for gripping the valuable solar cells.
Gripping with vacuum suction insert
The suction insert OASI provides protection against the suction of and damage to the fragile workpieces. In combination with the suitable vacuum suction cup, this is a complete solution for the reliable picking and monitoring of the wafers. This low-cost solution is ideally suited for handling raw wafers, for example for a loading station at the start of a cell production line.
- An increased contact area surface prevents the suction of fragile workpieces
- Prevents contamination of the valve
- Low investment and energy costs