15 July 2010
Robotic end effector for holding solar cells from Schunk
Schunk has introduced an end effector for handling solar cell wafers. The SZG gripper can reliably handle wafers and finished cells of sizes 156 by 156 mm or 125 by 125 mm at high speed.
Actuated with compressed air at 6 bar, a transportation cycle of 550 mm, including inspection with a camera system on the return, is carried out in a cycle time of less than 1 second.
The SZG is based on the Bernoulli principle. A low-pressure at the gripping surface has the effect that wafers made of cristalline silicon, with a thickness of 110 microns, are gripped gently but with a high holding force. Special silencers at the gripper bottom side, a polyurethane friction lining and a large support face provide a stress-free and safe grip, where even shearing forces can be absorbed reliably. Integrated micro valves shorten the movement of the compressed air to allow a short response time where wafers can be blown out when they are deposited.
A large area of the cell surface can be mounted at a distance of approximately 7 mm, allowing the air flow to automatically remove dust particles from the wafer.
As the cell is located above the gripper, a vision system can inspect the complete wafer edge, which increases process quality and reliability. In order to control the complete process reliably with a vision sensor, the 140 by 140 mm base plate can be designed transparently.
With a transmitted light, the wafer surface can also be inspected for cracks.
Author
Michael Richards
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Supporting Information
Related Companies
Schunk Intec Ltd