This page shows all inspection solutions for solar glass

Solarglass

Inspection solutions for solar glass


  • Best line yield due to advanced defect classification
  • Process optimization by early intervention
  • Low operating costs and increased profitability
  • High level of customer satisfaction
  • Optimize maintenance

Optical inspection systems ensure flawless solar glass products

Solar glass web-16-9

The production of solar glass presents several challenges that can lead to defects in the final product. While defects are common in glass manufacturing, their detection and differentiation in solar glass, production is particularly challenging. Even tiny defects must be detected and distinguished with high reliability.

Most vision systems are limited in their ability to achieve this level of precision. It is therefore critical for manufacturers to implement efficient quality inspection processes to ensure high-quality solar glass products. Otherwise, significant risks can arise, such as lower solar module efficiency and reliability, reduced customer satisfaction and ultimately financial losses.

ISRA VISION's inspection systems ensure quality throughout the entire solar glass production process, from cooling the glass ribbon to cutting the finished glass plate. The optical inspection systems are characterized by reliable detection, classification and differentiation of even the smallest defects. In this way, the systems ensure the highest quality of solar glass in accordance with the specified market standards.

Glass ribbon inspection

Patternscan Ribbon web 16-9

To inspect the patterned glass ribbon, our optical inspection system can be located directly after the furnace and cooling zones. The fully automated system is specially designed to provide precise inspection results even in hot and dirty production environments without the need for additional protective measures. 

As a result, the system ensures fast and reliable assessment of material quality on the patterned glass ribbon. In addition, it provides precise defect classification, enabling it to accurately distinguish between open and closed bubbles.

Benefits

Fast installation and commissioning

Seamless integration into existing process lines

Shortest ramp-up times

Precise inspection results even in hot and dirty production environments

Distinction between open bubbles/closed bubbles, stones/bubbles

Features, typical defects and technical data

Features

  • Advanced, learning defect classification 
  • Defect cluster analysis 
  • Suitable for connection with cut optimizing system 
  • Robust and resistant to heat and contamination 
  • Cross Dark Field-Technology 

Typical defects

  • Open bubbles, closed bubbles, elongated bubbles
  • Stones 
  • Scratches 
  • Inclusions 
  • Knots, threads 

Technical data

  • Non-clean room inspection down to 90 μm 
  • 2000-4700 mm inspection width 
  • Only one camera bank with switchable LEDs 

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Glass plate inspection

Several defects can occur in the manufacturing of solar glass plates that affect their performance and durability. One common problem is the glass edges, which can be chipped or unevenly cut, causing the glass plate to crack during installation. Another problem involves the solar cover glass, which can have scratches, contaminants or bubbles that reduce the panel's transparency and efficiency. 

Defects can also occur in the substrates used for the solar glass, which can reduce the efficiency of the solar glass panel. Finally, parabolic mirrors used in concentrated solar power systems can also have defects. This can lead to reduced reflection and energy capture, which lowers the overall efficiency of the system. 

ISRA VISION's inline surface inspection systems precisely inspect the entire surface and edges even at high production speeds to prevent further processing of defective solar glass plates. 

Flawless edges of solar glass 

After grinding, our automatic edge inspection system inspects the glass edges for all typical edge and grinding defects. It is the only system on the market to detect asymmetries in the grind at an early stage. Its high-precision edge inspection sensors can be flexibly integrated into the production line. Each sensor scans an edge with several high-resolution cameras and special illumination systems that enable an all-round view of the edge. The system then analyzes the generated images in real-time, detecting and classifying all edge defects, thus enabling automatic quality classification of the glass plates. The collected data can be used to determine the ideal replacement time for the grinding wheel and the edge cutter.

Defect-free solar cover glass

Directly after the washing zone, a patterned sheet glass inspection solution is installed to ensure defect-free solar cover glass. Thanks to ultra-fast pattern switching and multimode LED illumination, a theoretically unlimited number of differently illuminated views can be generated with just one camera or a series of cameras. The information from the different views is used to achieve reliable and advanced defect classification. The result: defects that were previously classified as invisible and indistinguishable become visible.

Monitoring of substrates (glass panels)

On entry into the thin-film solar module production process, a camera-based inline inspection system monitors the substrates (glass panels). On the fly, high-resolution line scan cameras reliably detect all defects on the glass panels at high processing speeds. This enables the user to identify and remove defective glass panels early on. 

Perfect planarity and curvature of parabolic mirrors

Finally, a fully automated 3D inline inspection system, specially developed for the demanding requirements of parabolic mirror production, precisely measures the planarity and curvature of a complete mirror in just 10 seconds. Deviation of the mirror angle from the setpoint (focus deviation) is measured using deflectometry. Glass that does not meet the required quality specifications is automatically sorted out and is not conveyed to downstream processes. In addition, the system automatically saves measurement data for statistical evaluations and thus helps to optimize processes.

Benefits

Fast installation and commissioning

Shortest ramp-up times

Identification and removal of defective glass panels early on

Detection of asymmetries in the grind at an early stage 

Measurement of a complete parabolic mirror in just 10 seconds

Providing data for replacement time of the grinding wheel and the edge cutter

Features, typical defects and technical data

Features

  • Applicable for float and sheet glass 
  • Individually switchable LED’s  
  • Certified detection performance  
  • Non-clean room inspection down to 90 µm 
  • MultiView-Technologie von ISRA 
  • Ultra-fast pattern-switching 
  • Multi-mode LED illumination 

Typical defects

  • Edge and grinding defects: cracks, chips, shiners, and burn marks 
  • Solar cover glass: Scratches, contaminants or bubbles 
  • Substrates: Delamination, warping, and thickness variations 
  • Parabolic mirrors: misalignment and deformation 
  • Surface defects like: stones, bubbles, Tin defects, Fine scratches, Cullet chip, Water traces 

Technical data

  • Resolution better 33 μm 
  • Waviness and flatness measurement in < 10 sec. 
  • Edge measurement with up to 80m/sec for glasses from 1 to 6 mm 
  • Up to 3.400 mm width for coating and color inspection 
  • Different illuminations channels like: 
    • Transmission Bright Field 
    • Cross Dark Field 
    • Transmission Dark Field 

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Production analytics - Data-driven production efficiency

The web-based production analytics platform allows you to check the system status of all production lines at a glance or analyze production data in detail. With the quality management system, you analyze historical data, monitor current inspection data in real-time, and identify future trends in your production process.

Optimization of production

Dashboards allow you to compare production line and product data onsite or remotely, providing key insights for optimization. This enables you to make informed professional decisions along your value chain to increase the product quality as well as profitability. You can continuously track the progress of optimization measures and present them with visualized advanced reports.

Early detection of production defects

Detect and quickly identify the cause of threshold value violations at every stage of production with live status information and automatic alerts. As a result you can quickly resolve production defects, shorten downtime, and reduce production costs.

Predictive maintenance

You can prevent potential system failures by analyzing real-time data from the sensors and monitoring systems. This allows proactive planning of maintenance, based on the actual condition of the machines, instead of following a fixed schedule. This data-driven approach saves costs through reduced downtime and increased overall productivity, as well as longer production line life. 

Your benefits

  • Time-saving multi-line overviews, one view for all quality-related information
  • Minimize downtime by monitoring system health data
  • Faster reaction to quality issues with quality data monitoring
  • Fast elimination of production defects, reduction of production costs
  • Improved maintenance for reduced downtime, higher overall productivity and longer production line life

Key features

Overview on production data and plant status

Web-based solution, no client software installation required

Department oriented dashboards, customer specific adaptations are possible

Live insights from real time data

Threshold monitoring and alerting

Open to integrate relevant third-party data and export data to the customer's systems

Customer service & training

Service

For the efficient and future-proof operation of your production systems our highly qualified service teams support you globally in all matters. We provide the implementation, maintenance and servicing as well as the analysis and optimization of your systems - quickly, reliably, 24/7. 

Visit our service center and request your customized service solution. 

Furthermore, learn in the ISRA VISION Academy how our competent trainers always keep your employees up to date with the latest knowledge so that system operators, product engineers and quality managers become real inspection experts.

Visit our ISRA VISION Academy and book your individual and scalable trainings.

Contact us

Jennifer Kirstein

Sales

Albert-Einstein-Allee 36-40
45699 , Herten
germany