IMA Automation Berlin is delivering its first ‘modu-contec' systems to a large, well-known vendor of high-performance production tools for thin film solar modules. Newly developed by IMA Automation Berlin, ‘modu-contec' fully automates the backside contacting process of thin film solar modules, up to the junction box connection. With this innovative product line, the Berlin-based manufacturerof advanced industrial automation solutions, member of the Swiss Feintool-Group, extends its product range aimed at thin film photovoltaics.
For more than 20 years, IMA Automation Berlin has built up its profile as a well-known vendor of assembly automation systems for the automotive and electronics industries. In terms of its product development strategy, IMA is an integral part of the Swiss Feintool Group, a world leading provider of fineblanking systems, fineblanked and formed components and assembly automation technology.
For the last four years, IMA Automation Berlin GmbH has successfully branched out and specialized in developing user-specific automation solutions for PV manufacturing, aiming at stringent cost degression models and heightened reliability demands. In this highly competitive market segment, IMA Automation Berlin holds a significant lead in advanced manufacturing know-how.
The new ‘modu-contec' system is based on IMA Automation's proven and user-friendly system concept of modular production tools. Depending on the product's complexity, or customers' requirements, IMA can configurate flexible and scalable manufacturing automation solutions with optimized transport flow characteristics or individual process control. Best known of IMA Automation's product portfolio is the ‘modustringer', which fully automates the interconnect of Si-based PV modules, realizing highest productivity levels. The ‘modustringer'
processes up to 1,200 cells per hour, based on single-lane operation.
This includes loading, check of incoming cells by electroluminescence, ribbon preparation, fluxing, testing/sorting, lay-up, soldering and unloading.
Other system components offered by IMA Automation Berlin for turnkey automation systems, suited for small-lot up to high-volume manufacturing of photovoltaic modules, are testers/sorters, systems for lay-up, and loading/unloading for thin film technology.
For the first time, the new ‘modu-contec' system combines all production steps and tools needed for thin film photovoltaics in one versatile system. Additionally it ensures high processing speed. At a throughput rate of up to 130 modules per hour, ‘modu-contec' will produce thin film modules at a total capacity of 160 MW per year.
