Assembly - January 2009 - (Page 68) Automated Assembly performed by automated cells that require continual tending, another area in which robots excel. Finally, a completed solar panel can be both bulky and heavy, making it difficult for employees to handle manually. A robot equipped with a large, frame-style gripper will quickly pay for itself in terms of waste costs and breakage. “Robots lend themselves to each process step that requires any type of cell handling or transfer from process to process or process to container,” says Jay Sachania, director of marketing at Adept Technology Inc. (Livermore, CA). “There are a number of processes, including stringing, inspection, quality controls and other manual operations that can all benefit drastically through the use of robotic automation.” Rush LaSelle, general manager of the western office for FANUC Robotics (Rochester Hills, MI), agrees, noting robots can be especially effective at Whether its handling individual wafers or completed modules, robots can be effective throughout the solar panel manufacturing process. Photo courtesy FANUC Robotics many cells comprising a single solar panel requires extensive processing— grinding, chamfering, marking, tabbing and inspection—which is often 68 ASSEMBLY / January 2009 www.assemblymag.com http://www.asporing.com http://www.asporing.com http://www.assemblymag.com
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