Solar Cell Printing System offers high throughput, cell efficacy.

Press Release Summary:



Eclipse XP solar cell metallization platforms leverages XtremePrint™ technology, which self-adjusts print force in real-time to compensate for variations in cell topography. This maximizes throughput rates for single and dual print metallization processes; full stencil to wafer gasketing is possible regardless of substrate surface variances. Promoting cell efficiency, ability to print narrow lines with minimal defects enables wafer-to-wafer repeatability with minimal deviation.



Original Press Release:



XtremePrint(TM) from ASM Alternative Energy Enhances Solar Cell Metallization Throughput, Helps Improve Cell Efficiency



Realizing the successful result of its most recent R&D effort, ASM Alternative Energy (ASM AE) announced today that it has commercialized its new solar cell printing technology, XtremePrint™.  The innovative and rapidly responsive XtremePrint™ system is a novel approach to high-speed cell topography accommodation and an ingenious solution to the limitations of conventional printing techniques.



A significant improvement over traditional pneumatic pressure squeegees, XtremePrint self-adjusts print force to compensate for variations in cell topography – all in real time.  With this innovation, both single and dual print metallization processes can achieve high throughput rates, as full stencil to wafer gasketing at constant high speeds is possible, regardless of substrate surface variances.  With traditional printing techniques, squeegee pressure and speed are generally pre-set; the only way to accommodate for non-uniform substrate surface height is to slow down the print speed to ensure good material transfer efficiency.  XtremePrint technology overcomes this challenge, delivering self-regulating capability that adjusts for height variations at high speed.



“XtremePrint is a significant leap forward for solar cell metallization processes,” comments Brian Lau, ASM AE Vice-President of Business Development.  “No longer do PV specialists have to sacrifice high yield for speed.  With this new technology, high throughput rates and finer line printing capability are the norm.”



Among its long list of benefits, XtremePrint enables wafer-to-wafer repeatability with lower standard deviation on printed line widths and heights; improved cell efficiency through reduced shadowing losses because of the ability to print narrower lines with fewer defects; low maintenance and ease-of-use based on reductions in required manual operations and a frictionless pressure mechanism; and, higher aspect ratio printed lines as a result of controlled print pressure.



“This completely re-imagined approach to solar cell metallization has been shown to improve cell efficiency by as much as 0.1%, which is significant,” explains Lau in conclusion.  “XtremePrint is the future of solar cell printing technology and ASM AE is confident it will have a very positive process and performance impact.”



Effective immediately, all new ASM AE Eclipse solar cell metallization platforms will be equipped with XtremePrint technology and branded as Eclipse XP.  For more information, visit www.asm-ae.com.



About ASM Alternative Energy

Acquired by ASM Pacific Technology Ltd. (ASMPT) in 2014, the brand formerly known as DEK Solar along with the solar technology portfolio from ASMPT are now united as ASM Alternative Energy.  Encompassing all of the award-winning DEK Solar technology and innovation developed over the last ten years combined with the product portfolio, global resources and solar innovation of ASMPT, ASM Alternative Energy leads the market in fuel cell and solar cell solutions.  Technologies include market-leading solar and fuel cell metallization/printing platforms, advanced stencils and screens, SolarBlades and SolarWIS wafer inspection systems.  For more information, visit www.asm-ae.com.



ASM Pacific Technology Limited

ASM Pacific Technology (ASMPT) has been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 1989. The ASMPT Group develops systems and solutions for semiconductor production and packaging as well as surface mount technology applications. The company has plants in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Malaysia and Germany.



ASMPT is currently one of the constituent stocks on the Hang Seng HK MidCap Index under the Hang Seng Composite Index, the Hang Seng Information Technology Industry Index, the Hang Seng Hong Kong 35 index and the Hang Seng Global Composite Index.



For more information about ASMPT, visit www.asmpacific.com



Please direct reader enquiries to:

ASM Alternative Energy

Louise Fang

Senior Marketing Communications Officer

E-mail: louise.fang@asmpt.com

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