This year’s REI Expo 2024 in India hosted multiple PV module production equipment makers. Mondragon Assembly, a European turnkey and standalone PV module fabrication tool supplier, displayed its latest tools, including auto-layup, autobussing, tabber & stringer, and laminator at the event.
Xabier Otano, the company's head of sales – solar business unit, provided a brief overview of the displayed tools during an exclusive interview with TaiyangNews at the show.
Stringer for HJT cell technology
Mondragon’s latest MTS-ECA series tabber and stringer machine, designed for heterojunction (HJT) cell interconnection with electrically conductive adhesive (ECA), boasts a throughput of up to 2,600 cells (for cut cell) per hour. It supports cell sizes up to M12+ and busbars up to 22BB. Quality in stringing and tabbing is maintained through multiple features, including anti-camber systems for improved tab straightness, precision dispensing on both cell sides, and a cell vision check for alignment and quality. The tool boasts a technical availability exceeding 85% and a low average cell breakage rate of under 0.2%. The machine’s footprint measures 8,400 x 3,340 x 2,700 mm.
The company also highlighted its latest laboratory-level tabber & stringer machine and a triple-stack laminator during the exhibition.
Autolayup tool
Without mentioning the model number, the company showcased its latest automatic lay-up system that takes the strings from the tabber & stringer and places them on the glass. This tool, equipped with integrated Vision + EL test systems, can place the strings with high positioning accuracy of up to ±0.5 mm. With 1 position for non-conforming (NC) strings and 3 positions for buffering, it delivers a throughput of up to 600 strings per hour. The machine’s footprint is 6,000 x 5,500 x 3,000 mm with a cycle time of 6 seconds per string.
Autobussing machine
The IC-120 series autobussing tool, designed for cutting and placing bussing ribbons under strings to prepare for junction box wiring, features automated ribbon loading and bending, an induction welding system, an AI vision system, and 2-3 soldering heads. Compatible with cell sizes up to M12+ and various ribbon configurations, this machine achieves an impressive 0% breakage rate and a throughput of up to 120 modules per hour. The tool has a high technology uptime of 99.5% and a footprint of 2.45 x 4.3 x 2.7 m.
Membrane laminator
In addition to the autolayup, autobussing, and stringer machines, Mondragon assembly promoted its ML membrane series automatic PV module lamination machine at the show. This 2-step lamination system, available in single-stack or double-stack configurations with an optional cooling press, is suitable for glass-backsheet modules and various encapsulants (EVA, POE, TPO) across cell technologies, including PERC, TOPCon, HJT, and CIGS. This tool, featuring an optional pin-lift system and integrated oil or electric-based metal heating plates with a temperature range between 30°C and 180°C, offers metal plate temperature homogeneity of ±1.5°C. Upon request, the upper heating option can be incorporated, says the company. It processes module sizes up to 2,600 x 1,400 mm and offers cycle times of 7-9 minutes, depending on materials and module type. Loading and unloading buffer stations are available upon request.
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