automation
Germany: Cost reduction, labeling and new materials are topics of SMEThermal 2012
The global breakthrough of solar thermal will depend on how well the industry masters the challenge of cost-effective tank and collector manufacturing. This is the key issue of the 3rd SMEThermal conference on 7 February 2012 in Berlin, Germany. The international event is dedicated exclusively to process optimization, automation, and new materials in the solar thermal industry. The organizer, Berlin-based Solarpraxis, launched the complete programme at the end of October (see attached pdf).
Europe: 2011 Conferences dedicated to Solar Heating and Cooling
In Europe, only a few conferences focus exclusively on solar heating and cooling in 2011. Most events combine both solar thermal technology and photovoltaics, with two-thirds of the schedule being reserved for solar electricity and only one third for solar thermal. Please check the event calendar for more information about these events. The few events in 2011 that deal only with solar heating and cooling (and have been included in the event calendar, too) are listed in the following:
Austria: Clinched Aluminium-Copper Absorber with omega-form Sheet
New absorber production process: The so-called Omega absorbers by Austrian company Estec Energiespartechnik Süd consist of coated aluminium plates, harp-type copper pipes and omega-form aluminium sheets. In order to join plate and sheet, the company uses an entirely automated clinching machine developed by Austrian machinery supplier RG Fertigungstechnik.
Photo: RG Fertigungstechnik
Germany: Minitec sells Assembly Line with certified Collector
Pressing the red button: The SolarThermal Competence Centre (STCC) of German machinery supplier Minitec GmbH & Co. KG was inaugurated at the end of August by Margit Conrad, the Minister for Environment, Forest and Consumer Protection of the Federal State of Rhineland-Palatinate. The Centre demonstrates the standardized and streamlined serial production of high-quality collectors.
South Korea: Improved Machinery Equipment for automated Solutions
Brazing, soldering and welding specialist Dr Shin from South Korea: The Managing Director of Korean machinery equipment supplier SK Brazing presented several improved products for the manufacturing of tanks and collectors at the Intersolar North America in San Francisco in July 2010.
Photo: Bärbel Epp
Automation and Quality Improvements at SMEThermal 2011: Call for papers
The 1st SMEThermal in March 2010 exceeded the expectations: As the first of its kind to be dedicated exclusively to materials and equipment used in manufacturing solar thermal tanks and collectors, it attracted 150 key industry players from 20 different countries.
Photo: Solarpraxis
Northern Ireland: Euro 55 million for new Vacuum Tube Manufacturing Facility
The Northern Ireland Government Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster together with Noel Crowe, Managing Director of the Environmental & Renewables division for Kingspan Group, presents the new Varisol collector at the inauguration of the new factory in Portadown on 19th of May 2010.
Photo: Kingspan Renewables
Four International Conferences dedicated to Solar Heating and Cooling
Four international conferences on solar heating and cooling will take place in the first three months of the year: The Solar Thermal Conference at 4/5 March 2010 in Wels, Austria, the First Annual Conference of the European Technology Platform on Renewable Heating and Cooling 23/24 February 2010 in Bilbao, Spain, the 1st SMEThermal Conference, at 4 March 2010 in Berlin, Germany, and the Solar Air-conditoning and Refrigeration Workshop at 27 January in Orlando, Florida, USA.
Germany: Minitec Sets up a Demonstration Production Line
A laser welder is the heart of the semi-automated solar thermal production line that Minitec GmbH & co KG will set up to demonstrate costumers the collector manufacturing in operation.
Figure: Sunlaser
Himin: Automating Production in Dezhou's Solar Valley
Himin's large scale production in China: The company is now running two entirely automated production lines for vacuum tubes. The photo above shows the evacuation line. Photo: Himin
