May 6, 2008 — Aerotech calls its SolarScribe automation series “the most comprehensive photovoltaic panel scribing system available.” It includes both mechanical and air-bearing versions of split-axis and gantry-style systems for maximum application flexibility.

The company says it has optimized all design elements to provide maximum throughput while maintaining tight control of geometric characteristics such as dynamic straightness. In addition, because each customer and solar technology application has its own set of requirements, Aerotech has designed the SolarScribe system to include a multitude of options like multi-head scan axes, Z and theta correction axes, and machine base/isolation systems.

The SolarScribe is controlled by Aerotech’s Automation 3200 control system, a 100% digital system with high performance networked drives. The fully digital architecture makes it easy to optimize the current, velocity, and position servo loops for maximum performance. Advanced trajectory generation capabilities, such as multi-block look ahead, promise to minimize dynamic errors while the Position Synchronized Laser Firing Output (PSO) functionality automatically adjusts the laser pulse frequency to match the current scribing speed, providing an additional throughput boost.

Last year Aerotech introduced a hi-res rotary air-bearing stage designed to meet the exacting requirements of MEMS/nanotechnology device fabrication, wafer inspection, high-precision metrology, and other such applications.

Aerotech also offers Motion Designer, a software GUI for generating or importing motion trajectories, and running and then evaluating the trajectory. These functions typically require hours of programming and debugging to implement, but Motion Designer simplifies motion profile programming.

Aerotech has more than 35 years of motion control and positioning system experience, and offers to develop solutions for applications ranging from off-the-shelf to custom and vacuum-prepped products.