Abstract: A machine and method are provided for applying a solder paste to a solar cell or other semiconductor device. The machine comprises (1) a conveyor means having at least one cell-holding means for holding a photovoltaic solar cell, (2) drive means for moving the conveyor means stepwise so as to shift said cell-holding means in turn from a first cell loading position to a second cell pasting position and then to a cell unloading position, (3) selectively operable solder paste dispensing means for applying solder paste to a cell located at said second cell pasting position, (4) means for selectively operating said drive means and said paste dispensing means so as to (a) convey a cell from said loading position to said cell pasting position, (b) cause said paste-dispensing means to dispense solder paste onto a cell in said cell pasting position, and (c) convey the cell with the dispensed solder paste from said cell pasting position to said cell unloading position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming grid electrodes for solar cells, the method and apparatus essentially involving dispensing a viscous ink through a hollow pen tip onto a selected horizontally oriented solar cell blank, so that the discharged ink forms a ribbon or line on the blank, with the pen tip being spaced far enough above the solar cell blank so that it does not ride on the deposited ribbon or line, whereby the width and height of the written ribbon or line are not determined by the o.d. of the pen tip or any pressure exerted by the pen tip.