New DEK Partnership Delivers Complete Solar Cell Manufacturing Solution
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DEK has announced a new strategic partnership with BTU International, an alliance which will see the two technology leaders deliver complete in-line metallization process solutions for solar cell manufacturers.
The new alliance will be officially unveiled at the 22nd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, being held in Milan, Italy, over 3rd - 7th September. By combining DEK's next generation printing technologies and handling solutions with BTU's high performance drying and firing systems, the new partnership presents a powerful offering to the photovoltaic industry. Sharing booth G-26 in Hall 16, DEK and BTU will show conference visitors how their combined expertise will drive down the cost per watt of solar cell manufacture.
The mass imaging process employed by DEK's Europa and Galaxy printer platforms is ideal for creating the finer features required to maintain exceptional solar cell manufacturing productivity. Mass imaging also overcomes a major technology challenge by exerting greater control over the deposition process. By forcing the material onto the substrate through screen and stencil apertures, thickness uniformity is guaranteed.
In addition, DEK's award-winning ProFlow®enclosed print head system delivers even greater process control to enabling high accuracy screen printing of materials such as polymer thick film conductive inks. Key to the process is the engineering of advanced screen technologies critical to running a productive thin film solar cell manufacturing process - and these will be on display at Milan, along with a Galaxy printer.
"This new partnership will raise the bar in terms of productivity and throughput to deliver a distinct cost-of ownership advantage for today's photovoltaic manufacturers," explains DEK CEO John Hartner. "An intrinsic part of our Expect More philosophy, this alliance is an ideal foundation from which to increase the commercial viability of alternative energies. We are delighted to be teaming up with BTU and look forward to building on our collective experience to positively address the primary challenges of this industry - lowering cost, driving throughput and ensuring ongoing productivity."
DEK has been delivering screen printing platforms for thick-film electronic devices since the early 1970s. The company's background in thick-film and electronic surface mount assembly plays a vital role in minimising the wastage of high-value materials used in solar cell manufacture. A natural solution for depositing the precision metallization layers required by photovoltaic manufacturers, DEK's screen printing expertise presents a clear cost, quality, repeatability and scalability advantage for today's competitive solar cell industry.
Commenting on the new partnership, BTU Chairman and CEO, Paul van der Wansem explained: "BTU and DEK both hold technology leadership positions, creating a rare opportunity to create a powerful, synergistic partnership to serve the photovoltaic industry. By combining our distinct skills sets and global footprints, BTU and DEK, in partnership, will generate high throughput process results and deliver strong service and support to customers around the world."
About DEK
DEK is a global provider of advanced pre-placement equipment solutions, stencils, precision screens and innovative deposition technologies including mass imaging used across a wide range of applications in electronics materials processing, electronic subassembly manufacture, semiconductor wafer processing, and alternative energy materials processing. For more information, visit DEK at www.dek.com.
About BTU International
BTU International is a market-leading supplier of advanced thermal processing equipment to the electronics manufacturing and alternative energy generation markets. BTU manufactures solder reflow furnaces for printed circuit board assembly as well as for wafer-level packaging and die-level packaging. BTU also provides thermal process equipment for the solar cell, nuclear fuel and fuel cell industries. For more information, visit BTU at www.btu.com
Company Contact
Karen Moore-Watts
DEK
Tel. +44 1305 760760
Email: kmoore-watts@dek.com
Internet: www.dek.com
