EoW November 2008

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EuroWire – November 2008 44
english technology news
Faster, cleaner splicing
Sonobond Ultrasonics claims that its
MS-5010B Foil Splicer™ modular system
can provide a faster, more efficient weld
than ever before; the result of a new
solid-state power supply that features
automatic frequency control. In addition
to the new, improved solid-state power
unit, the Foil Splicer™ features a rotating
head with a circular welding disk.
The Sonobond Foil Splicer™ is gaining
popularity with manufacturers of
solar panels. Ultrasonic welding offers
numerous advantages in the production
of the photovoltaic (PV) solar cells used
to make up solar panels. For example,
the bonds have essentially the same
strength and structure as their base
metals.
The welding process is also neat, clean,
and economical. Ultrasonic bonding does
not require excessive heat, fluxes, filler
metals, tapes or other consumables.
Solar panel manufacturers use the Foil
Splicer™ to weld aluminium strips to the
thin conductive metal layer deposited
onto the photovoltaic modules.
The Sonobond unit creates an
ultra-reliable, solid-state metallurgical
bond without cracking the glass panels
in the photovoltaic cells. The resulting
interconnections between the cells
produce an array that has sufficient
voltage and current to produce a
practical source of electrical power.
The Sonobond MS-5010B Foil Splicer™
can also be used for fast, clean splicing of
aluminium and copper foils.
In ultrasonic welding, high frequency
ultrasonic energy is directed via a
welding tip to the surfaces of the metals
to be welded. The energy disperses the
oxides and surface films between the
work pieces in order to create a true
metallurgical bond without melting
the materials. Ultrasonic welding is
environmentally friendly, produces no
waste, and is economical to use.
Sonobond Ultrasonics – USA
Fax: +1 610 692 0674
Email:
Website:
Draka Communication has announced
that it has surpassed the 250,000
km (150,000 miles) mark for sales of
BendBright-XS, its bend-insensitive
optical fibre, since its introduction in
2006. For perspective, 250,000 km is
enough optical fibre to encircle the
earth six times.
Demand for BendBright-XS is said
to have been driven mainly by
large-scale deployments of FTTH
access networks by the major
telecommunications providers in
both the US and Europe.
BendBright-XSuses a“trench-assisted”
index profile to achieve the highest
level of bend performance, meeting
the stringent industry standard for
bend-insensitive fibre, ITU-T G.657.B.
Draka Holdings NV – Netherlands
Fax: +31 2056 89899
Email:
Website:
250,000 km of
BendBright-XS