Automating the Solar Thermal Collection Plate Manufacturing Process

As passive solar thermal collection plate technology evolves so should the cost of producing them. Automation of the assembly process results in higher quality do to repeatability and lower costs due to higher production rates.

KuKa Systems has been at the fore front of automation innovation in the solar thermal industry.

KUKA’s solutions for the production of thermal collectors include laser welding the serpentined tubing onto absorber plates, handling glass, framing, welding or gluing.

Based on more than 25 years’ experience in designing and building equipment for laser and gluing/sealing applications.

KS Solarthermal Lasertec has been specially developed by KUKA for welding tubes onto the absorber surface of solar-thermal panels. The companies 25 years of experience in robot-guided laser welding have resulted in optimum process reliability and maximum system availability and flexibility.Technical data Welding speed: 200 – 800 mm Weight: 85 kg Height/Length/Width: 740 x 765 x 510 mm Tube diameter 8 – 25 mm Laser: pulsed laser   Features: Pre-centering and fine centering of the tubes Different tube diameters possible Automatic focal point adjustment for different pulse control Process not dependent on the direction of welding Integrated object extraction Controlled, low-hysteresis contact force Adjusting device for set-up and maintenance work

The modular structure of KS Solarthermal Lasertec makes it possible to respond in a highly flexible manner to the workpiece requirements of our customers. Combined in a single cell with our service-proven standard components and workpiece-specific clamping fixtures, it is the optimum solution for an innovative and reliable process.

Source: www.Kuka-systems.com

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