Control system for non-contact edge coating apparatus for solar cell substrates

摘要

A non-contact edge coating apparatus includes an applicator for applying a coating material on an edge of a solar cell substrate and a control system configured to drive the applicator. The control system may drive the applicator along an axis to maintain a distance with an edge of the substrate as the substrate is rotated to have the edge coated with a coating material. The applicator may include a recessed portion into which the edge of the substrate is received for edge coating. For example, the applicator may be a roller with a groove. Coating material may be introduced into the groove for application onto the edge of the substrate. A variety of coating materials may be employed with the apparatus including hot melt ink and UV curable plating resist.

主权项

1. A method of coating an edge of a wafer, the method comprising:
locating points on an edge of a substrate prior to rotating the substrate; identifying coordinates of a center about which the substrate is rotated; tracking locations of the points on the edge of the substrate during rotation of the substrate; moving an applicator along a single axis to maintain a coating distance between the edge of the substrate and the applicator; and coating the edge of the substrate with a coating material from the applicator during rotation of the substrate without the applicator physically contacting the edge of the substrate.