Abstract: The invention relates to a roller drive device for use in a deposition system for manufacturing a photovoltaic device having a substrate (12), the roller drive device comprising a roller means (9) and a cover means (1), whereby the roller means is arranged slidable along a roller means axis (11) between a rolling position and a retracting position, whereby the roller means is configured for transporting the substrate in the rolling position, the cover means is arranged slidable along a cover means axis (2) between a shielding position and an opening position, whereby, if the roller means is in the retracting position, the cover means is configured for shielding the roller means against contamination by a substance present in the deposition system in the shielding position, and the roller means axis and the cover means axis are arranged tilted to each other.

Abstract: A vacuum lock on a vacuum chamber has a lockable gate opening with a substantially vertical gate and the following characteristics: the gate is a sliding plate displaceable parallel to the opening; the gate is connected via a driving rod on a side oppose the opening and is supported at a distance in the sliding direction; this connection is via a guidance mechanism such that in the presence of a blockage of the closing process, the gate is laterally pressed on a seal encompassing the opening; and a spring element is provided to narrowly compensates the weight of the gate. This ensures that in the event of a operator error or unintentional reaching into the opening during a closing process, injuries cannot occur and a high degree of safety is ensured.

Abstract: A separation device for a warp drawing-in machine contains a dividing-off member for dividing off the foremost dropwire of a drop-wire stack. This dividing-off member includes a separating device and a transport device. The separating device subjects to pressure one of the end edges of the dropwire to be divided off to thereby bend this dropwire outwards. The transport device is provided for entry into the gap formed as a result of the outward bending of the dropwire and for conveying the separated dropwire away from the stack. With this separation device, all types of dropwires can be individually separated easily and at a high frequency.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling the drop wires after the warp-yarn draw-in has taken place contains rail-like carrier members (12) provided for lining up the drop wires. Threaded spindles (34) are arranged on top parts of the carrier members in position to engage the drop wires on the carrier members. The threaded spindles (34) are for displacing the drop wires in the longitudinal direction of the carrier members. The displacement of the drop wires on the carrier members is thereby automated, and the stress on the warp yarns is kept as low as possible.

Abstract: The apparatus includes magazines (16) for accommodating drop-wire stacks (LA) and transport mechanisms for feeding the drop-wire stacks (LA) to a separating station where the drop wires are singularized. The transport means contain a first path (11) for feeding the full magazines (16) to the separating station and a second path (21) for returning the empty magazines (16) from the separating station. In addition, mechanisms (22, 33) are provided for transferring the empty magazines from the first to the second path. Largely automatic feeding of the warp-thread drawing-in machine with drop wires is made possible by this device.