“Roll-to-roll” production machine for solar cells
The “roll-to-roll” production machine is a newly developed machine for achieving the large-scale production of flexible solar cells more quickly and with less risk. The specifications and performance are unique in the world. At no point in the machine does the film touch the active side of the substrate.

The challenge
VDL and Solliance began work on developing the machine in 2012 and quickly attracted worldwide interest. A number of projects had to be implemented and new machines built in a short space of time. An exacting and intricate motion control application based on Bosch Rexroth equipment formed the heart of the machine. The challenge here was to deliver the various machines in a working condition within the time available and to do so using newly designed machines whose development was not yet complete. Apart from the motion control application, a new human machine interface also had to be designed and built.

Result
On the basis of the scrum working method and the sober Rotterdam hands-on mentality, JB Systems and its team of specialists delivered the machines in working condition and commissioned them. They did so with ongoing close contact with the VDL project team. The final outcome was a more than satisfied client.