PECM Issue 19 2016 | Page 84

Electrical & Electronics Weidm ller Presents FreeCon Contactless Stion and Avaco Demonstrate Atomic Layer Deposition Technology for CIGSSe Thin Film Solar Modules Contactless power transmission - maintenance-free and up to 240 W with high power density, maximum efficiency. Thanks to FreeCon Contactless from Weidmüller, customers who employ industrial robots on their production lines can now avoid contact related failures and cut maintenance costs considerably. Burnt, bent or dirty contacts can often be the cause of time consuming and costly production failures. This is all the more true of applications that require frequent plugging cycles. Certain models of industrial robots performing frequent tool changes are prone to suffering such system errors like this; the level of wear on moving parts can be especially high. FreeCon Contactless allows power to be transmitted via an ‘air gap’ by means of an inductive resonance coupling. This is a solution that’s completely wearfree and especially efficient. By doubling the power density, the line can obtain a far higher degree of efficiency compared with comparable solutions that are available on the market. In some scenarios industrial robots can perform several hundred tool changes per day. In this regard, conventional contacts are subjected to high levels of wear. With FreeCon Contactless, customers will benefit from a reliable and maintenance-free connection. The process of charging driverless transport systems can now also be automated via FreeCon Contactless. High maintenance slip ring transmitters can be replaced too, since it securely transmits power even in t he case of rotational movements. Unlike conventional plug-in connections, which only provide IP 20 protection when unplugged and are therefore unprotected, FreeCon Contactless offers IP 65 - permanently. FreeCon Contactless also enables reliable and contactless transmission of up to 240 W of power with compact dimensions and maximum efficiency. The transmission can even be controlled via PLC. It is therefore possible to switch 10 A directly via the PLC without the need for further contactors. FreeCon Contactless provides complete protection against humidity and dirt. While chemical bath deposition (CBD) has been the preferred method of depositing the light-emitting buffer layer of thin film solar panels, atomic layer deposition (ALD) offers a dry process as a higher performance and lower cost alternative. Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) is a specialized method used for depositing very thin layers with exceptional control as the film is built up through an atomby-atom reaction at the surface. It can be used to deposit one or more buffer layers and tune their composition to match the absorber. Initial testing by leading US manufacturer Stion and its equipment vendor AVACO showed the capability to deliver 8 Watts more power than CBD, a ~5% in improvement in output power (Pmax). Further research and testing will enable Stion to bring its proprietary “Simply Better” process into production, enabling both raw materials and waste reduction. www.stion.com For further information and product specifications visit www.weidumuller.co.uk Innovative Enclosure Solutions for Industrial & Electronic Applications Standard | Modified | Special Tel: 01709 386630 www.eta-enclosures.co.uk New ETA Enclosures 2016 Product Overview Brochure Hot off the press for 2016 is a new 44 page product overview brochure from ETA Enclosures UK Limited. Including new products: This new, easy to navigate publication shows ETA’s range of ex-stock enclosure products and thermal management solutions and it is the ideal user friendly tool from which to select in stock products for quick no delay delivery. • EGRAN Stainless Steel Terminal and Push-button boxes Products featured are: • Boxes in Mild Steel, Stainless Steel and Polyester • Cabinets in Mild and Stainless Steel • Desks/Consoles in Mild and Stainless Steel • PC Cabinets in Mild Steel • Outdoor Cabinets in Mild Steel and Aluminium 84 PECM Issue 19 • ERAM Stainless Steel Suspension Arms and Enclosure Systems • Die-cast Aluminium Boxes All products are available in standard format to a comprehensive range of sizes but custom modifications to the customer’s specific requirements are also available on a quick turn round basis. For further information or to request your free copy of ETA’s new 2016 Product Overview Brochure call our sales office on 01709 386630, E-mail [email protected] or log onto www.eta-enclosures.co.uk Product Overview - 2016 Mild Steel Stainless Steel Polyester Aluminium Boxes Boxes Boxes Out Door Cabinets Cabinets Cabinets Junction Boxes Desks/Consoles Desks/Consoles Suspension Arms PC Cabinets Suspension Arms Out Door Cabinets Standard | Modified | Special www.eta-enclosures.co.uk