Basler AG: Exclusive Cooperation with Komax in the Solar Cell Module Inspection Field
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cooperations
Ahrensburg (euro adhoc) - 27 August 2008 - Basler AG - one of the leading companies in the Vision Technology segment worldwide - has arranged a mutually exclusive cooperation with the Swiss company Komax AG. The Komax Group develops and markets automation solutions for the automotive industry, medical engineering and photovoltaics. In photovoltaics, Komax sells process technology for crystalline and thin-film solar module production.
The cooperation that has now been arranged targets the so-called stringing process. During this process, a soldering method is used to join several crystalline solar cells so that they form "strings". The finished strings are later electrically connected to each other and form the basis of a solar cell- based solar module. As a result of this cooperation, Komax will exclusively integrate the "Basler VisionFit Cell Inspection" inline solution in their own stringing process. In return, Basler will supply only Komax with their inspection solution for the stringing process.
Basler's inspection solution is based on the so-called electroluminescence method. During inspection, an electrical current is applied to the finished string so that the single cells emit a weak luminescence. After that, a camera takes pictures of a string's single solar cells. An automatic image processing software checks the pictures for defects that either affect a single solar cell's mechanical stability or reduce the efficiency of the whole string. The combination of Basler's state-of-the-art image processing technology and Komax' leading stringing technology allows a 100% inline inspection of the stringer modules at a rate of more than 2,400 solar cells per hour for the first time.
"We are delighted to have concluded this cooperation, because from now on we can offer inspection technology for optimization of the important stringing process to the photovoltaics industry for the first time. As s result of our partner Komax' strong position, we expect to gain a significant market share in this field of application in the future. In addition, this cooperation represents further progress in realizing our new customer strategy that includes focusing on our core competencies in the Vision Technology field for our solutions business and, for automation technology, increasingly on cooperation with strong companies from the process automation sector", comments Dr. Dietmar Ley, CEO of Basler AG, on the agreement of the cooperation.
"We are convinced that the exclusive cooperation with Basler will further strengthen our position in the photovoltaics area. It allows our customers automatic application of a technology to check the quality of photovoltaics products after different production processes. Inspection with electroluminescence technology is very efficient and allows for the fact that the products must be handled with great care. This technology can be very well combined with the Komax-developed electrical performance tests. We can identify a number of irregularities on the basis of single cells so that our customers can carry out targeted repairs or realize quality improvements at earlier process stages." Claudio Meisser, CTO Komax Group.
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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