A metallization line, used by solar cell manufacturers delivers six-sigma process capability at a resolution of ±12.5 micron. Advanced features to the PV1200 from DEK Solar in the U.K. include handling devices for thin wafers and high-speed machine vision. The DEK Solar team also introduces the PV3000 metallization line. Featuring multiple print heads operating in parallel, the PV3000 ensures that, if one print head halts for operator attention, the others continue to print – almost eliminating downtime.

The PV3000’s inherent accuracy and flexibility is a foundation for emerging manufacturing techniques such as Print-on-Print (PoP). Enhancing cell efficiency and driving down cost-per-watt, PoP gives finer grid lines more height. The process involves printing lines twice over or more to increase the conductor’s cross-sectional area to enhance current-capacity without shadowing underlying silicon substrate. The company has also launched its Hybrid Screen technology. The machine also provides improved frontside conductor finger patterns minus the cost and complexity traditionally associated with this area of photovoltaic development.

DEK Solar will show the PV1200 at the Semicon West exhibition held at San Francisco’s Moscone Center from July 13^th to 15^th, 2010, booth 5251.