Method for generating gridlines on non-square substrates

摘要

A solar cell production method involves printing longer central gridlines (44-1) and one or more pairs of shorter "side" gridlines (44-21, 44-22) such that end points of the two gridline sets form step patterns on octagonal (pseudo-square) substrates (41). A special printhead (100) is used that includes a set of central nozzles (162-1) which receive ink from a first valve (61-1) by way of a first flow channel to print the longer central gridlines, and additional sets of side nozzles (162-21, 162-22) that receive ink from additional valves (61-2) by way of additional flow channels to print the shorter "side" gridlines. The central nozzles have outlet orifices (169-1) that offset in the process direction from side outlet orifices (169-21, 169-22) of the side nozzles. A start signal is simultaneously sent to the valves such that ink is substantially simultaneously extruded through both the central and side orifices, whereby the extruded ink produces gridline endpoints having the desired step pattern.