Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may provide a device for cleaning a silk-screen net of a silk-screen printing device. The silk-screen printing device may comprise a first shaft, a second shaft and a strip supported by the first shaft and the second shaft. The first shaft and the second shaft determine a movement of rotation of the strip along a determinate path, which is under the net, to remove the excess printing paste from the net. The strip is made of a non-elastic fabric material. The device also comprises a pressure roller of the rotary type, around part of which the strip is supported. The pressure roller is positioned along the path of the strip between the first shaft and the second shaft. The device also comprises a movement unit to move the pressure roller toward the net, to selectively take the strip into contact with the net with a desired pressure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multiple screen printing chamber processing system that has an increased system throughput, improved system uptime, and improved device yield performance, while maintaining a repeatable and accurate screen printing process on the processed substrates. In one embodiment, the multiple screen printing chamber processing system is adapted to perform a screen printing process within a portion of a crystalline silicon solar cell production line in which a substrate is patterned with a desired material, and then processed in one or more subsequent processing chambers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an end effector for a substrate handling robot. In one embodiment, the end effector comprises one or more Bernoulli chucks surrounded by a plurality of suction cup devices. In one embodiment, the suction cup devices are configured in the form of a bellows to provide both cushioning and lateral stability to the substrate. In one embodiment, the suction cup devices further include an air pressure device to provide light positive pressure to the substrate during release. Embodiments of the end effector described herein provide a small vacuum pressure over a large area of ultra-thin substrates to minimize damage during handling.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multiple screen printing chamber processing system that has an increased system throughput, improved system uptime, and improved device yield performance, while maintaining a repeatable and accurate screen printing process on the processed substrates. In one embodiment, the multiple screen printing chamber processing system is adapted to perform a screen printing process within a portion of a crystalline silicon solar cell production line in which a substrate is patterned with a desired material, and then processed in one or more subsequent processing chambers.