North America
LPKF Allegro Series

Your key benefits

  • Highest operational system availability
  • Maximized Module Efficiency
  • Unmatched Throughput
  • Quality from the beginning

Next generation technology delivers greater profits

LPKF Allegro laser scribers

In musical terminology, Allegro means fast. LPKF SolarQuipment’s state-of-the-art laser scribers carry this name due to their outstanding throughput and precision. Imagine a solar module factory to be a great orchestra. The Allegro scribers would be world class players perfectly contributing to the overall goal, lowest cost per Wpeak in production.

Cost-Effective Production

Profitability counts...

Producing ultra-precise structures on large glass substrates is a challenging task. Thermal deformations arising caused by high-temperature coating processes between laser scribing steps only increase the level of difficulty. Ultra-precise scribing with our Allegros  allows module efficiency to be increased as much as physically possible. Innovative, field-tested concepts compensate for virtually any deviations from the optimal cell geometry across the entire process chain and establish the basis for modules with maximum efficiency. Furthermore, Allegro laser scribers are exceptionally economical in terms of overall investment and operation by offering the highest possible throughput.

… and is achieved by means of …

A solid machine base provides precision, dynamics and reliability. The actual laser scribing is done by the moving laser processing head, the heart of the Allegro system. All major moving components are based on virtually wear-free air bearings. The Allegro implements the concept of moving the dynamically optimal component and combines key functions in a compact design. It arranges up to 12 parallel laser beams and focuses them on the thin-film module. In addition, moving the module in and out while scribing minimizes secondary processing time and maximizes throughput even further. The approach to move the scribing head allows an array of intelligent and cost-effective solutions to maximize the module’s efficiency, minimize the so-called dead zone and stabilize the scribing process. Dynamic Path Tracking reduces the safety clearance required and maximizes module efficiency at minimal technical expense. Wavy substrates from thermal processing or small process windows impair laser scribing results by reducing process stability. Dynamic Focus Tracking keeps every laser beam in its focal plane on the module during scribing. This leads to optimal scribing results on wavy substrates. Integrated sensors allow for an automatic recalibration of the scribing head to ensure accuracy across various production utilization scenarios.

Highly sophisticated technology inside

Thin-film panel factories are continous 24/7 operations demanding technical availabilities of up to 97%. Low operating costs, low maintenance and service friendliness are additional vital factors to achieve cost-effective production in the P1 through P3 laser scribing processing steps and subsequent edge deletion. The LPKF Allegro Series is able to satisfy such demands and specifications. Optimized machine dynamics, precision laser scribing and the minimum-cost machine concept make the Allegro laser scribers an exceedingly cost-effective solution for production thin-film solar modules.

Allegro scribing head

A solid machine base provides precision, dynamics and reliability. The actual laser scribing is done be the moving laser machining head, the heart of the Allegro system.

8-Beam laser scribing head

Nowadays the module size ist growing constantly, at the same time module manufacturer further minimize their line cycles. Today LPKF can offer up to 12 or more laser beams. Such an Allegro is capable of delivering more than double the troughput of the previous Allegro generation and costs significantly less than two parallel Allegro scribers. This way it is possible to offer a scribing system at significantly lower costs per Watt peak.

Path tracking

The internal optical inspection system helps customer to cut down the costs and increases the yield. It is capable of inspecting every scribing line or combinations thereof at different locations at the scribe. It is a 100% inspection per module and is performed in parallel to the scribing operations. No module has to be removed from the production line for inspection, no external inspection tool is needed anymore. And cycle time is also not influenced either.

Dynamic Path Tracking

Dynamic path tracking in steps P2 and P3 minimizes the spaces between individual scribing tracks. During scribing a sensor determines the position of the previous track and corrects all beams in the scribing head. The close spacing of the laser beam in the machining head allows exact scribin using only one sensor to determine the previous track position.

Benefit: It reduces the safety clearance required and maximizes module efficiency at minimal technical expense.

Dynamic Focus Tracking

Wavy substrates from thermal processing or small process windows impair laser scribing results by reducing process stability and module efficiency. The dynamic focussing system keeps the laser beams in its focal plane on the module during scribing.

This results in optimal scribing results on wavy substrates or small process windows without increasing system complexity.

LPKF Solar Master - Graphical user interface (GUI)

The LPKF SolarMaster graphical user interface has been specifically developed for the Allegro and Presto laser scribers and is installed on both systems. Ergonomic factors were taken into account in the software development and resulted in an intuitive graphical user interface. SolarMaster features various user levels to assign access to machine functions according to the specific responsibilities in production.

 Your Benefits with proven LPKF technology

Highest throughput

A compact, multi-beam head enables maximum acceleration and speed, reducing the laser scriber cycle time.

One scribing head move produces multiple structures at the same time. Substrate handling processes are parallelized to the greatest possible extent, which increases the machine’s throughput and reduces production costs.

Optimum availability

A compact, multi-beam head enables maximum acceleration and speed, reducing the laser scriber cycle time.

One scribing head move produces multiple structures at the same time. Substrate handling processes are parallelized to the greatest possible extent, which increases the machine’s throughput and reduces production costs.

Maximum module efficiency

The weakest cell greatly impacts the overall performance of the module. Producing an ultra precise layout with uniform cell size distribution in the P1 step is critical. The subsequent P2 and P3 lines are accurately aligned and positioned based on this master.

Using an ultra precise Allegro system for the P1 scribing and Allegro’s Dynamic Path Tracking technology for the P2 and P3 scribing significantly extend the active module area for maximum module efficiency.

Cost efficiency

Optimized machine dynamics, precision laser scribing and the minimum-cost machine concept make Allegro laser scribers a cost-effective solution for producing thin-film solar modules.

 Downloads

Brochure
LPKF Allegro (pdf - 861 KB)
Download

You need a laser scriber for R&D and lab? We have the solution!

LPKF Presto - The perfect lab and R&D system

This LPKF Presto systems open up new possibilities for R&D and labs. It is a very precise and flexible scribing tool which can easily be used to determine and confirm parameters for productions lines equipped with the LPKF Allegro Systems.

Learn more about LPKF Presto Systems

Logo: LPKF Laser & Elektronics