Automated high-throughput boat loading for solar diffusion furnaces
Project snapshot
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Challenge
Deliver a high-throughput boat loading system under an extremely tight schedule
The furnace OEM needed to meet a customer demand for higher throughput and lower cost of ownership by automating the quartz boat load/unload process. The project required completion in just 14 weeks. Integration was complicated by thermal and mechanical interface challenges, and the automation unit had to be drop-shipped and retrofitted onsite, leaving minimal time for testing.
Innovation
Rapid development of a turnkey boat loading automation system
We worked closely with the furnace OEM to identify the most effective automation approach and minimize risk. Key aspects of the solution included:
- Mechanisms capable of loading 20 quartz boats of 100 wafers each (2,000 wafers total) into the furnace.
- Automated unloading of high-temperature boats after processing.
- Interface design to integrate seamlessly with the existing furnace.
- Input/output conveyors to support continuous operation.
- System software for full control and automation.
- Delivery and onsite retrofit completed within 12 weeks.
Result
High-throughput automation delivered on time, ensuring customer satisfaction
The system successfully automated the boat load and unload process, meeting throughput requirements and enabling the furnace OEM to complete the contract on schedule. The rapid development and seamless integration reduced risk and ensured reliable operation at the solar manufacturer’s site.
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