Vision System Enables Solar Panel Inspection

Cognex has revealed how its In-Sight vision systems are providing Mondragon Assembly with a reliable solution for the quality inspection of solar cell panels while in production. Mondragon Assembly in Spain designs and manufactures systems and equipment for automation and robotic guided assembly processes in the solar sector. It required a reliable solution for its solar-cell manufacturing equipment in order to ensure the quality inspection of solar cell panels while in production.

A vision solution was required that could handle high-speed production while performing different inspection tasks, all while ensuring that the delicate product remained intact. In-Sight vision systems from Cognex are now performing the inspection tasks, ensuring zero-fault production. Solar cell production is expensive and involves a high level of automation in large volumes. Therefore, quality is critical to maintain a competitive advantage and solar-cell alignment has been a great challenge.

In addition to centring the solar cell properly, the system performs defect checks, such as inspecting for broken edges or cracks, verifying dimensions, positioning in relation to the edges, and so on. Machinery for assembling and handling solar cells and panels requires high-precision inspection and positioning systems. Mondragon Assembly inspection applications increasingly require stability, robustness and greater flexibility in its machines.

Cognex In-Sight vision systems offer flexible programming capacity for machine operation. This flexibility, coupled with robust In-Sight hardware, gave Mondragon the necessary stability it required. The first systems were developed and integrated with the support of local Cognex partner integrator Ikusmen Artificial Vision. Vision systems bring flexibility in the guiding and handling of solar cells and panels with high precision.

Vision systems consistently detect extremely small defects in damaged or badly soldered cells for nearly 100 per cent quality control. In-Sight offered advantages such as ease of connection and configuration as well as the programming power of the 'spreadsheet'. Vision also controls the positioning of the cell and with adequate calibration, indicates its position by a robotic arm. Regular improvements, software updates and the latest vision tools are available for In-Sight systems.

The Patmax tool is the industry-standard part location algorithm from Cognex that provides accurate and reliable location of parts, reducing or eliminating fixturing requirements and costs. Jean Philippe Aguerre, project leader for robotics at Mondragon, said: 'The Cognex In-Sight system's technical capacities, such as the Ethernet port, real-time remote operation, fast processing, and In-Sight Explorer software, were fundamental to solving the problems we were confronted with. 'The software is easy to use and has an optimum adjustment range.

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