Green Technology

Applied Materials has launched its HCT MaxEdge wire saw, intended to slice silicon ingots into ultra-thin wafers. The result is a lower cost to manufacture photovoltaic cells. The saw module was designed with dual-wires for increased cutting speeds and to enable increased production throughput while occupying less factory floor space. ...

... "By making thinner wafers, PV cell manufacturers can reduce the amount of silicon per wafer and lower the cost-per-watt of solar electricity. To produce thinner wafers, traditional wire saws must reduce the ingot length (load) and the cutting speed. The uniquely designed MaxEdge system delivers ultra-thin wafers without sacrificing throughput by enabling larger loads and using thinner wires at higher cutting speeds. " ...

Via Applied Materials: Lower Solar Cell Cost through HCT MaxEdge Wire Saw