As the demand for solar generated energy increases, so does the need for cost effective manufacturing solutions. In response to this demand Newport offers the SolaryX series laser edge delete system. This next generation system provides industry leading performance to maximize isolation and throughput.
Newport offers various options and technologies for input and output material handling conveyors, bar code writers and bar code readers. With Newport, you will benefit from our industry leading lasers, optics and precision motion products, as well as our expertise in providing and supporting complex integrated solutions and systems.
The laser edge delete system performs ablation of the P1, P2 and P3 layers on the outside perimeter of the glass. The glass panel enters the negatively pressurized system enclosure via the internal conveyors, with the coating side facing up. Once it has fully entered the system, a motion system moves it into its final position and accurately aligns the panel. Edge deletion occurs on each of four sides simultaneously by four independent laser-powered optical heads. Once edge deletion is completed, the panel exits via the output conveyor.
Each scribe station features:
- Four laser-powered optical deletion heads perform the coating ablation. The heads are powered by high power, 1064nm Q-switched fiber lasers and incorporate beam delivery optics, a beam steering mechanism and a vacuum powered debris removal mechanism. The laser beam is delivered through the glass and is optimized to ablate the TCO and all coating layers, down to the glass surface.
- A precision motion platform carries four deletion heads, each mounted onto the precision motion platform, which travel along the side of the panel. The deletion heads move simultaneously on all four panel edges in order to maximize the overall processing speed and provide for minimal takt time.
- Internal conveyor systems load and unload the glass panels.
- Precision fixed datums and vacuum clamps accurately locate the glass and keep it stationary during processing.
- A central computer system with logging capabilities will control all aspects of the system, including the external and internal motion systems.
- The software, which includes a user-friendly graphical interface, integrates all computer operations related to edge delete and system performance and sends performance data to master computer system.
- The system operates under negative pressure and incorporates a filtration system in order to contain any dust that might not be fully removed by the debris collection system inside the deletion heads. Newport will work with the customer to assure that the right filtration media are utilized.
- Safety enclosure provides a Class I laser safety environment.