I N S P I R E D I N N O VAT I O N
THERMAL AND PROCESSING
TECHNOLOGY FOR SOLAR PRODUCTION
Despatch Industries has specialized in thermal processing for
over 100 years and is actively using this technical expertise to
provide innovative solutions to critical applications in a broad
range of markets and cutting edge technology worldwide.
Despatch has three dedicated business groups to meet the demands of the
rapidly expanding thermal, solar and carbon fiber markets. This focused
commitment has allowed us to become experts in these industries.
Thermal and processing
technology for solar production
Despatch Industries is the leading provider of thermal processing
equipment for advanced photovoltaic production, including the
world’s best-selling metallization firing furnace. Combining
Despatch knowledge and experience with that of solar
manufacturers inspires flexible, next-generation technology
solutions that integrate seamlessly into production lines.
An expansive global support network allows Despatch to provide
technical and process expertise to customers on a local level.
Industry leaders rely on Despatch equipment for maximum
cell efficiency, industry-best uptime and lowest cost of ownership.
THE TOOLS YOU NEED FOR
PROCESS PERFECTION
SAFIRE FIRING FURNACE WITH
POWERLOCK LID PREVENTION
The SafireTM Firing Furnace with DriTechTM Dryer is designed with advanced
features and technologies that ensure superior stability, repeatability and cell
efficiency in a high capacity platform.
The Safire’s twin chamber design features two independently controlled furnaces
which eliminates the lane-to-lane influence found in traditional dual-lane furnaces.
MicrozoneTM Technology provides the ability to precisely tailor thermal profiles
around advanced materials and architectures. SolectFireTM enables independent top/
bottom temperature control enables optimized frontside and backside firing.
The Safire is available with PowerLockTM technology which suppresses LID on PERC
cells from 3-6% down to ~1%. The system is integrated into the Safire resulting in a
small footprint and no material handling. PowerLock uses LED light that provides
twice the lumens per watt and ten times
Patent pending
longer life compared to the arc lamps used
POWER
LOCK
LID PREVENTION
in other systems on the market.
FEATURES AT A GLANCE
Uniform, stable and repeatable
cavity temperature (+/- 2°C)
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Rapid thermal ramping (up to 250°C/sec)
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Unique twin chamber design with
no lane to lane influences
Enhanced MicrozoneTM Technology for
precise thermal profile control
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Enhanced thermal cooling (up to 160°C/sec)
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99% uptime (highest in the industry)
Integrated DriTechTM Dryer
Advanced SolectfireTM Technology for
top/bottom temperature control
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PowerLock LID prevention
TM
DRITECH HAS REVOLUTIONIZED
THE ART OF DRYING
Patent pending
The DriTech™ Dryer introduces a unique hybrid heating technology that addresses
industry challenges associated with faster belt speeds, increased paste VOC concentration
and thinner wafers, while providing state-of-the-art metallization drying performance.
The dryer is designed to decouple the VOC removal and binder burn-off for a more
efficient drying process. Introducing five times the dilution air as conventional furnaces
and internal insulation surface temperatures reduces tool contamination. While precise
airflow management and a centrally located point-of-generation thermal oxidizer
eliminates hazardous waste and facility contamination.
Unlike, solely convective or IR drying, which rely strictly on a belt speed and temperature
relationship, DriTech’s unique hybrid heating with Smart Tube technology provides a number of
heat delivery mediums to efficiently and effectively remove solvent (VOC) from the paste while
safely retaining the binder. The low temperature drying capability will ensure that each step in
the drying process is separated with no compensation required downstream. Cell performance
and efficiency is improved for current and next generation cell architectures and materials.
FEATURES AT A GLANCE
Integrated with the Safire Firing Furnace
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Handles difficult to dry pastes
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Decoupling of VOC and binder removal
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Line speed/throughput requirements are
no longer a barrier
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Environmentally friendly: zero by-product
treatment or disposal required
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Designed for next generation pastes and inks
No chamber solvent contamination
No line downtime for maintenance
Hybrid Heating
Convection
Infrared
VOC THERMAL OXIDIZER
Virtually maintenance-free elimination of
volatile organic compounds in exhaust gasses
Despatch’s VOC Thermal Oxidizer was designed to eliminate over 99% of Volatile
Organic Compounds (VOCs) from gasses exhausted during the drying step of solar
cell manufacturing.
The solar cell manufacturing process creates unwanted environmental pollutants
Clean gas only
Thermally managed
for destruction of VOCs
(No condensing risk)
which are byproducts of the drying process, and contain the non-metallic
ingredients found in the paste material such as ethanol, Texanol™ and terpineol.
These pollutants can condense inside facility ductwork and create hazardous
conditions. Destroying the VOCs using the oxidizer eliminates the need to collect
and dispose of this waste in a separate process. The exhaust exiting from the VOC
Thermal Oxidizer contains only small amounts of CO2 and water vapor.
Directly coupled
to drying furnace
Wafers
VOC laden gas
In industries that emit VOCs and have established pollution control technology
criteria, thermal oxidizers satisfy Best Available Control Technology (BACT) and
Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER).
Despatch’s Thermal Oxidizer attaches
directly to the dryer, removing any
chance of condensation. VOCs are
incinerated, releasing only small
amounts of CO2 and water.
THE BEST SELLING CF-SERIES
METALLIZATION FURNACE
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For highly efficient solar cells at the lowest possible cost, more solar manufacturers
choose Despatch firing furnaces than any other brand. The CF-Series firing furnace
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offers a feature-rich platform to enhance firing performance and is easily integrated
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with every major metallization printer line.
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The furnace is now available with SolectFireTM Technology. This critical advancement
opens the process window and gives operators independent open and closed loop
control of the top and bottom of each firing zone. This innovative decoupling
technology provides greater thermal control.
Despatch CF-Series metallization furnaces are designed for high throughput, ease of
maintenance, and consistent process repeatability, ensuring
consistently high yields and superior product quality.
TM
New advanced thermal control
FEATURES AT A GLANCE
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Rapid thermal ramping (up to 200°C/sec)
Up to 300 ipm belt speed
Uniform, stable and repeatable
cavity temperature (+/- 2°C)
98% uptime
Master production control interface
Gentle, uniform gas flow introduction
Safe, simple chamber accessibility
INNOVATION
A unique competitive advantage:
Despatch Innovation Resources
Despatch provides a unique opportunity for process and product development
and evaluation with a simple, singular focus: To provide customers with costeffective solutions up front—before equipment design begins or purchase
commitments are made.
Our clients enjoy direct access to highly skilled Despatch scientists and
engineers who are experts at process optimization and helping customers solve
complex problems. The Despatch Innovation Center is equipped with process
tools and metrology specific to the manufacturing and performance analysis
of photovoltaic cells. We work with universities, laboratories and leading
manufacturers around the world.
This proven approach significantly reduces purchase risk, speeds production,
ensures process integrity and saves customers time
and money.
SERVICE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS
www.despatch.com
service parts: 1-800-473-7373
international service/main: 1-952-469-8230
service fax: 1-952-469-8193
main phone: 1-800-762-0110
international/main: 1-952-469-5424
sales: 1-800-762-0550
international/sales: 1-952-469-8240
8860 207th Street West
Minneapolis, MN 55044 USA
service@despatch.com
parts@despatch.com
sales@despatch.com
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Despatch is a registered trademark in the U.S.
and other countries. 4-16PVLINE