Automated wafer handling system from Manz

Manz Automation AG is presenting its automated system for wafer handling in at the PV in Europe Conference in Rome in early October.

© Manz Automation AG Manz's automated systems can load and unload wafers during almost any phase of a cell production process.

The system can provide fully automatic loading and unloading during the various phases in a solar cell production system. For example, Manz's machine can unload diffusion ovens or printing equipment, or load and unload silicon nitride systems and testing equipment.

For instance, it can remove the upper wafer from each cell in a pile of cells. A charge-coupled device (CCD) camera measures the position of the wafers during the automated process. The wafers can then be placed in a certain location with exact precision. Moreover, if one uses integrated image processing, the system can inspect the outer contour of the wafer and sort it out if necessary.

Manz also offers examination and testing systems for solar cells that visually check both sides of the cell and detect any electrical errors. System price depends primarily on flow-rate and can vary considerably. Although Manz has been producing robotics for the PV industry for about 13 years, the growth of mass-produced solar cells has been a recent boost for the company. »Business really started to get interesting in the last two or three years – as a considerable number of production systems have expanded,« says Dieter Manz, the company's CEO. One of the company's large orders is a cell sorter, which is currently under construction for the new RWE Solar GmbH plant in Alzenau, Germany.

Manz Automation AG
Steigäckerstrasse 13
72768 Reutlingen, Germany
phone +49/7121/9000-0, fax -99
info@manz-automation.com
www.manz-automation.com
 

Susanne von Aichberger
© PHOTON International, October 2002