Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a strapping machine with a welding assembly including a counter-pressure plate and a heating element that cooperate to attach two overlapping portions of strap to each other to form a loop of strap around a load. The welding assembly includes various clamps and a leading-strap-end guide that clamp the strap at various points in time during a strapping cycle to prevent the strap from misaligning. After the loop of strap has been formed around the load and the load has been removed from the strapping machine, the welding assembly manipulates the leading end of the strap extending from the strap supply and clamps it via the clamps and the leading-strap-end guide to align the strap for the next strapping cycle.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a strapping machine with a welding assembly including a counter-pressure plate and a heating element that cooperate to attach two overlapping portions of strap to each other to form a loop of strap around a load. The welding assembly includes various clamps and a leading-strap-end guide that clamp the strap at various points in time during a strapping cycle to prevent the strap from misaligning. After the loop of strap has been formed around the load and the load has been removed from the strapping machine, the welding assembly manipulates the leading end of the strap extending from the strap supply and clamps it via the clamps and the leading-strap-end guide to align the strap for the next strapping cycle.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a solar cell is provided, comprising: a substrate with a front-side and a rear-side, wherein at least the front-side receives light; a passivation layer on the rear-side of the substrate; local contact openings, which pass through the passivation layer and partially expose the rear-side of the substrate; and a first rear-side metallization on the passivation layer and in the local contact openings; wherein the plurality of the local contact openings are disposed such that they are completely covered by the first rear-side metallization.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a method for manufacturing of electrical contacts on a solar cell is provided. The method may include forming a dielectric layer on a region to be electrically contacted; forming a first metal layer over the dielectric layer; forming electrical contacts between the first metal layer and the region to be electrically contacted through the dielectric layer by laser pulses; annealing the formed electrical contacts; and forming a second metal layer comprising a solderable material at least over a portion of the first metal layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for applying conductive structures on solar cells, a hot melt aerosol ink being atomised by means of an aerosol jet printing system and being discharged from the printing system in the direction of the solar cell, the printing system being heated at least partially in order to keep low the viscosity of the ink which is used. When impinging on the non-heated substrate (solar cell), the ink solidifies.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal contact structure of a solar cell is provided and includes the following steps: applying a metal contact structure to a surface of the solar cell, reinforcing the metal contact structure in an electrolytic bath. The invention is characterized by the metal contact structure being applied by applying a metal-containing ink to the surface of the solar cell by at least one pressurized nozzle.