Exclusive Cooperation with Manz Automation AG in the Solar Cell Inspection Field
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Ahrensburg (euro adhoc) - 8. August 2008 - Basler AG - one of the leading companies in the Vision Technology segment worldwide - has arranged a cooperation with the German company Manz Automation AG. As a result of this cooperation, Manz Automation integrates an inline inspection solution for solar cells developed by Basler in its fully automated cell tester for crystalline silicon solar cells. The cooperation is mutually exclusive.
Basler's inspection solution is based on the so-called electroluminescence method. During inspection, an electrical current is applied to the solar cell so that the solar cell emits a weak luminescence. The image processing software of the inspection module automatically checks the image of the solar cell for defects (e.g. microscopic cracks or circuits missing contacts) that either affect the solar cell's mechanical stability or reduce its efficiency. Thanks to the combination of Basler's state-of-the-art image processing technology and Manz Automation's leading automation technology, this inspection step can be executed inline at a rate of up to 2400 cycles per hour. As part of the new inspection solution, Manz Automation's cell tester can reliably sort out solar cells that are likely to break. Thus, breakage-related downtimes in the following process steps are significantly reduced. In addition, all solar cells with an insufficient efficiency are rejected by the cell tester.
"By developing this inline solar inspection solution, we expand our product portfolio for the solar industry that we are planning to realize profitable growth in during the next years. In addition, cooperation with Manz Automation AG represents an important milestone in realizing our new customer strategy that includes focusing on our core competencies in the Vision Technology field for the solutions business and, for automation technology, on cooperation with strong companies from the mechanical and plant engineering sector", comments Dr. Dietmar Ley, CEO of Basler AG, on the agreement of the cooperation.
Dieter Manz, Manz Automation's CEO, is very pleased about the future cooperation: "Increasing the performance of our backend lines means we are taking another step towards grid parity. This will help us to enable our customers to cut costs and to boost the efficiency of solar modules." In addition, the CEO also underscored the project's significance: "This cooperation is another building block to set standards as well in future with our equipment, allowing us to offer the world's leading high-tech machines in the photovoltaic sector. The Manz cell tester is now not only the fastest machine on the market, but also the machine with the most comprehensive testing technology."
Basler AG, Dr. Dietmar Ley (CEO), An der Strusbek 60-62, 22926 Ahrensburg, Tel. +49(0)4102-463-0 www.baslerweb.com, ISIN DE 0005102008
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Further inquiry note:
Verena Fehling
Assistant to the Board / Investor Relations
Telefon: +49(0)4102 463-100
E-Mail: Verena.Fehling@baslerweb.com
Branche: Semiconductors & active components
ISIN: DE0005102008
WKN: 510200
Index: CDAX
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Original content of: Basler AG, transmitted by news aktuell