Innovative thin-blade sawing technology for silicon block production

The new product generation of thin-blade sawing technology was designed especially by the Arnold Gruppe/Lahn for the tasks of cropping and squaring of silicon blocks, also known as bricks.

At this years 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (PVSEC), from 6th to 9th September 2010 in Valencia/Spain, Ar-nold will be presenting its new thin-blade sawing technique for the first time, incorporated into the machine 72/360. This technology is based on the proven circular saw blade and excels by additional advantages that are de-cisive for a cost-conscious block production.

The specially unstressed and treated steel core of the diamond cutting disc has a thickness of 1.2 mm at most, with an outer diameter of 700 mm. On the outer edge, segments of a defined diamond concentration are soldered onto the cutting disc. The 6.5 mm high coating is dimensioned for approxi-mately 10,000 to 15,000 cuts. The innovative guiding aid in the form of a fluid bearing, mounted over supporting parts on the cutting unit and including each two sliding elements on both sides of the cutting disc, prevents flutter and vibration. This enables an exact guidance during the first incision of the cutting disc as well as during the further cutting procedure. During the vertical feed of the cutting disc, the sliding elements move along downwards, ensuring an extremely precise cutting process with a maximum angular deviation of less than 0.1 degrees. Due to the innovative coating of the cutting disc and the new saw blade guidance, a maximum cutting width of approx. 1.5 to 1.7 mm is achieved. Compared to the previous generation, the new thin-blade sawing technology reduces the kerf loss by about 50 percent.

Low maintenance and servicing costs ensure high machine availability and therefore ultimately require less manpower. The significantly reduced running costs and the low costs for power and compressed air allow a high saving potential of up to 80% compared to other sawing techniques. Thanks to the ideal cost-benefit ratio this new thin-blade sawing technology is optimally suited for businesses in high-priced countries. The new machine is equally suitable for lateral entrants and companies with low and middle range production volumes, but also for the volume market with a high automation level. The saw can easily be integrated into automated production plants, in which robots perform the loading and unloading of the blocks as well as the ideal positioning within the machine.

The machine with thin-blade saw technology, type 72/360, is available im-mediately worldwide. Prices available upon request.


Picture caption:
Compact, high-performance cutting machine with thin-blade saw technology

Image source:
Arnold Gruppe, Weilburg, Deutschland

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