IMPROVED SUBSTRATE SUPPORT MATERIAL USEFUL FOR SCREEN PRINTING PROCESSES

摘要

The present invention provides a support material (137) used to support a substrate (150) during processing. The support material (137) comprises a non-woven material comprising a top region and a bottom region, wherein the top region (420) is less resilient than the bottom region (410). The non-woven material also has a first surface (141A) adjacent to the top region, and a first end and a second end. In some embodiments, the bottom region comprises a synthetic fabric and the top region comprises a polymeric material. Other embodiments of the invention include an apparatus and methods for processing substrates in a screen printing chamber that can deliver a repeatable and accurate screen printed pattern on one or more processed substrates using a non- woven support material. In one embodiment, the screen printing chamber is adapted to perform a screen printing process within a portion of a crystalline silicon solar cell production line in which a substrate is patterned with a desired material.