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Comment: The new laser system that will be developed in QCOALA will comprise an optimised laser source with a wavelength suited to aluminium and copper welding, fully integrated with in-line process monitoring and inspection systems to ensure the quality of products that are produced. The new system will facilitate in-line quality control, as well as a higher level of automation in manufacturing, and thereby achieve higher yield and throughput, for both these high-in-demand applications.
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Comment: The QCOALA manufacturing process combines several knowledge-intensive technologies including laser and beam delivery system integration, laser-based material processing, advanced process monitoring and inspection. The combination exploits the convergence of a number of high-tech technologies, which will create a knowledge-intensive process applicable to products of both new high-tech and highgrowth industries, such as PV, and also benefit the high-value knowledge-based traditional industries, such as car battery manufacture.
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Comment: The project has
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Comment: The QCOALA concept will enable the development of products with improved performance. This is particularly important for applications requiring the highest level of performance and reliability in challenging conditions, essential in an application such as the electric car battery. Higher performance products will provide European manufacturers with an additional source of competitive advantage.
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Comment: This project hase the target to decrease the energy consumption by more than 20%.The project will be using the latest in laser technology which have a wall-plug efficiency of around 30%, which is an order of magnitude higher than that of the current ‘workhorse’ in industry, i.e. the lamp- pumped Nd:YAG laser. The QCOALA system is aligned with the European Photovoltaics Technology Platform’s objectives, outlined in their implementation plan published august 2009. The report mentions the need for a pan-European approach to solving the roadblocks of PV technology and manufacture.
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Comment: The QCOALA project brings together a diverse multi-disciplinary and multisector consortium from across the EU, generating additional innovation and cooperation, which will fuel the continuous innovation required to increase European competitiveness.