{"title":"Lightweight Robotic Material Handling in Photovoltaic Module Manufacturing-Silicon Wafer and Thin Film Technologies","authors":"N. Asadi, M. Jackson","volume":63,"journal":"International Journal of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering","pagesStart":712,"pagesEnd":717,"ISSN":"1307-6892","URL":"https:\/\/publications.waset.org\/pdf\/8941","abstract":"
Today, the central role of industrial robots in automation in general and in material handling in particular is crystal clear. Based on the current status of Photovoltaics and by focusing on lightweight material handling, PV industry has turned into a potential candidate for introducing a fresh “pick and place" robot technology. Thus, to examine the industry needs in this regard, firstly the best suited applications for such robotic automation,and then the essential prerequisites in PV industry should be identified. The objective of this paper is to present holistic views on the industry trends, general automation status and existing challenges facing lightweight robotic material handling in PV Silicon Wafer and Thin Film technologies. The results of this study show that currently no uniform pick and place solution prevails among PV Silicon Wafer manufacturers and the industry calls for a new robot solution to satisfy its needs in new directions.<\/p>\r\n","references":"[1] Lewis, N. (2008). Lewis Research Group. Retrieved January 17, 2011,\r\nfrom http:\/\/nsl.caltech.edu\/energy.\r\n[2] Poullikkas, A. (2010). Technology and market future prospects of\r\nphotovoltaic systems. International Journal of Energy and Environment,\r\n1(4), 617-634.\r\n[3] Yan, H., Zhou, Z. & Lu, H.(2009). Photovoltaic Industry and Market\r\nInvestigation. Nanjing, China, IEEE DOI, pp. 1-4.\r\n[4] Business Insight. (2010). The Solar Power Generation Market Outlook-\r\nMarket overview, photovoltaic and concentrating solar power\r\ntechnologies. Business Insight.\r\n[5] EPIA. (2010). Global market outlook for photovoltaics until 2014. (Online) Available at:\r\nhttp:\/\/www.epia.org\/fileadmin\/EPIA_docs\/public\/Global_Market_Outlo\r\nok_for_Photovoltaics_until_2014.pdf (Accessed 20 January 2011).\r\n[6] Kumar, S., & Suresh, N. (2008). Production and operations management\r\n(2nd ed.). Delhi: New age international.\r\n[7] Bhat, K. (2009). Materials Management (4th ed.). Mumbai: Global\r\nMedia.\r\n[8] Ray, S. (2007). Introduction to Materials Handling (1st ed.). Delhi: New\r\nAge International.\r\n[9] Tompkins, J., & White, J. (1984). Facilities Planning (1st ed.). New\r\nYork: Wiley.\r\n[10] Xie, M. (2003). Fundamentals of Robotics : Linking Perception to\r\nAction. Singapore: World Scientific.\r\n[11] Groover, M. P. (2007). Fundamentals of modern manufacturing (3rd\r\ned.). Wiley.\r\n[12] IEA. (2010). Technology Roadmap: Solar photovoltaic energy.\r\nInternational Energy Agency. IEA.\r\n[13] Encyclopedia Britannica Online (2011). Encyclopedia Britannica\r\nOnline. (Online) Available at:\r\nhttp:\/\/ep.bib.mdh.se:3585\/EBchecked\/topic\/44912\/automation(Accessed\r\n5 May 2011).\r\n[14] Parasuraman, R., Sheridan, T. B. &Wickens, C. D.(2000). A Model for\r\nTypes and Levels of Human Interaction with Automation. IEEE\r\nTransactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics\u00d4\u00c7\u00f6Part A: Systems and\r\nHumans, 30(3), pp. 286-297.","publisher":"World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology","index":"Open Science Index 63, 2012"}