Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum presents the new dry screw technology pump series Dryvac at the photovoltaic exhibition Photon in Stuttgart, Germany. Such innovations of vacuum technology will contribute to the effective automatisation of solar panel mass production and enhance profitability.
Plants for solar module manufacturing have to make use of all means to cut costs effectively. The changing legal aspects on solar feed-in tariffs increase the pressure on quality and costs along the whole manufacturing chain.
Producers of thin-film silicon solar cells have high demands on the performance of the manufacturing plants and the system components within. The new vacuum pump series Dryvac from Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum has been designed to fit and to increase the present and the future technological advantages for these demanding production and process requirements.
This applies also to the operating costs: these dry screw pumps can save up to 3000 euro per year compared to similar pumps with identical suction volume, depending on operating parameters. This helps the producers of thin film silicon solar modules to lower operating costs and increase their profits.
The present market situation has once more increased the demands on plant availability and requirements. Developing the Dryvac, these requirements were taken into consideration, especially with regard to reliability. These pumps are ideal for demanding load lock applications and are resistant against dust, vapors and particles. They effectively pump light gases, but also toxic and corrosive gases such as NF3 gases used in the solar industry to flush coating chambers.
Relevant pump parameters of the Dryvac can be visualized during operation via a touch screen monitor. The i-variants with integrated self-control can communicate via data exchange between pump and plant controls using various interfaces. Of course, the touch-panel can also be used. For pump control, there are multiple sensors such as temperature control with warning functions, and a pressure sensor for monitoring the exhaust pressure. Moreover, the data of the integrated frequency converter can also be visualized.
The Dryvac combines the screw technology pumping principle with a very compact design, offering additional advantages to the customer. In the standard vertical combination with a Ruvac Roots pump, the footprint at the production line is minimized. In addition, the pump combination can be executed horizontally which extremely minimizes the height of the system.
An effective water cooling concept with optimized cooling canal design keeps the pump and motor temperature low and thus enhances lifetime performance. If needed, the motor can be exchanged directly at the production line. Inspection and cleaning of the channels are simple to execute as there are hardly residues due to the innovative cooling channel design. And as a dry pump, there is no risk of oil contamination, which further reduces service and operating costs.
One answer to the various demands of solar manufacturing is the modular design of the Dryvac series, offering customized and effective solutions. Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum not only offers components, but also standardized application oriented solutions, and of course fully customer specific vacuum technology solutions.
Solar energy will only become cost competitive due to intensive technological progress. Decisive factors for further investment into solar technology will be cost and quality. Vacuum technology innovations such as the Dryvac line of Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum combine proven technology with innovative features and therefore contribute effectively to improving production parameters.
The screw pump series Dryvac will be exhibited at the booth of Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum GmbH at the Photon in Stuttgart. (Hall 6, Row: L, Booth: 32).
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