KIC Launches Spectrum Thermal Prediction Software

KIC Thermal Profiling has unveiled its Spectrum thermal process optimisation software: the third and final link to the company's range of technologies for increased solar-cell efficiencies. According to the company, the solar-cell manufacturing industry links higher cell efficiency to the ability to manufacture the solar wafers in the 'sweet spot' of the thermal process window.

Spectrum automatically identifies the correct furnace setup that achieves a thermal profile that is positioned within the 'sweet spot' of the established process window. The prediction software uses the information from a single profile pass to evaluate the millions of possible furnace setups. Each possible furnace recipe will yield a profile and Spectrum identifies the fit between the profile and the established process window. Within seconds, the software can complete a ranking and present its recommendation for the furnace recipe (zone temperatures and conveyor speed) that yield the optimal profile. Spectrum is a software-only option for the SunKIC profiler.

Hybrid Thermal Imager Introduced By SKF

SKF has launched a low-cost, easy-to-use digital camera offering thermal and 2 megapixel visual imaging, suitable for use by maintenance technicians with limited of thermal imaging. The SKF TKTI 10 thermal camera has the appearance of a digital camera and operates in a similar way but with a feature that allows thermal and visual images to be blended for easy image interpretation.

Using proprietary array-based detector (ABD) technology, images are easily viewed on a large backlit 3.5in screen, and can be saved to a micro SD card. Unlike low-end thermal imagers, two spot temperatures can be displayed on the screen and these can be independently moved to select an area of interest. For experienced thermographers, the camera also has auto temperature ranging, eight colour pallets, selectable emissivity, reflected temperature compensation, hot and cold spot finding, temperature area measurement, automatic and user-selectable level and span, isotherm display, temperature gradients, and user-selectable temperature units and image browser.

The main areas of application for which the TKTI 10 can be used include electrical, industrial, automotive, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, building services, and the food sector. The camera is supplied complete with all accessories and software in a padded carrying case.

Novel Thermal Design Reduces Inverter Volume

Lenze has developed 8200 vector inverters using the 'cold plate' technique for cases where the inverter can be mounted directly onto a substantial heatsink. AC Tech (Lenze AG) 8200 Vector Inverters are available for power 0.55 to 90kW with three-phase supply. In the more popular smaller sizes up to 22kW, a space saving variant can reduce the requirement for panel space by up to 40%.

By dissipating the heat outside the cabinet, these 'cold plate' versions enable panels to have higher enclosure ratings. Alternatively a plate with external cooling by liquid or air can be used. The cold plate versions of the 8200 vector inverters have no heat fins, so heat generated is passed to the mounting plate and transmitted out of the cabinet.

In this way inverters require less mounting depth and the space savings are substantial. For a 1.5kW inverter the saving is 25%, rising to 40% for a 22kW inverter. Therefore panels can be smaller and costs reduced. As the heat is now transmitted to outside of the cabinet, requirements for a flow of cooling air through the cabinet are removed. Cabinets can be sealed and protection to IP65 is easier to achieve.

This is particularly advantageous in dusty conditions where any through flow of air would cause a dust build-up. Above 22kW the cold plate design is not available. However an alternative 'push-through' design can be used right up to 90kW. Here the Lenze Inverter Heatsink is mounted outside of the panel, gaining the advantages of panel space and enclosure as described. The concept of the 8200 vector frequency inverter is based on a modular system of complementary components.

Combined with a Lenze geared motor or a Lenze three-phase AC motor, it can be used to implement electronic variable speed drives for a multiplicity of applications. Compact: Side-by-side mounting saves space in the control cabinet. Integrated filters (optional) simplify installation. Flexible: The modular structure enables the inverters to be optimised for your application. This results in cost-effective but high-performance drive solutions. Whether as a "stand-alone" inverter with setpoint selection via potentiometer or a networked inverter with speed feedback in master/slave mode, the inverter functions can be adapted to suit every application.