In an economy that is gearing more towards
green energy, PBC Linear is helping lay down the initial framework.
Utilizing the high-accuracy PLA linear actuator, a cutting edge US
company that manufactures silicon ingots from solar furnaces is able to
sustain smooth, quiet and long-lasting operation for the their specially
designed furnace damper that controls temperature for the ingots
crystals. These ingots, in turn, are used in the production of
electricity generating solar panels for cleaner and renewable energy.
To create a solar panel, silicon ore needs
to be fused in a furnace similar to how glass is made from sand. These
furnaces are immense, and require a multitude of precision components to
work in harmony for the succesful creation of silicon ingots. The
ingots are then sliced into thin sheets for the fabrication of the solar
panels. If this delicate process is upset, production time and cost
would exponentially increase as these furnaces are heated to
thousands of degrees and take days to cool down for servicing. PBC
Linear’s PLA actuator was installed to control the furnace’s heat damper
during the process cycle. The damper provides precise temperature
control during the process. To control the critical lifting and
positioning of the damper, the manufacturer required a linear system
that was low cost, precise and reliable in order to compete on an
international level.
Read more on the PLA Linear Actuator here
The
PLA ball-screw driven linear actuator was the answer. The PLA stands
out from its competition with its SIMO™ (Simultaneous Integral Milling
Operation) machined profile that mills out tight, consistent tolerances
on all sides of the system to ensure repeatable guidance at no added
cost. The PLA is also equipped with Integral V™ Technology (IVT) to
provide enhanced precision guidance of the actuator’s V-rollers. When
these advantages combine together, they create a superior linear
actuator with no additional costs to the end user.
The silicon ingot manufacturer was
immediately impressed with the PLA’s performance and reliability. Since
implementation, the actuator has been running successfully, aiding in
the production of solar panels and helping jumpstart the renewable
energy industry.
