Photovoltaics

Photovoltaic production works with large, flat substrates that move through the line continuously. Curing on such a line needs UV light that covers the full width evenly, stays stable over long shifts and fits into the existing equipment. Photovoltaics is one of the industries Awellcure's light sources serve, alongside consumer electronics, semiconductors, automotive, lithium batteries and displays.

What a photovoltaic line needs from a UV source

• Full width: linear light sources are built with emitting lengths from 50 to 2,000 mm and can be joined seamlessly for wider formats. Area light sources come in standard sizes from 30 × 50 mm to 500 × 500 mm, and custom sizes up to 2,300 × 1,500 mm.
• Even curing: linear sources irradiate large surfaces evenly as the substrate moves underneath. In series production, Awellcure area sources reach a uniformity of more than 92 %, so the whole surface cross-links consistently.
• Stable output over long runs: fan, water or gas cooling keeps the LED temperature down, which keeps irradiance stable and protects service life. Water cooling suits high-power sources.
• Fit to the line: special shapes, such as ring, cylindrical and embedded designs, fit compact automated layouts.
• Less energy and no mercury: UV LED sources switch on instantly, emit no infrared and contain no mercury.

Choosing the geometry

Use a linear source when the substrate moves under the light, and an area source when a large area has to be cured in a single exposure. How to choose a UV lamp explains how wavelength, dose and working distance narrow the choice further.