Mondragon Assembly develops a new laminator machine together with Visual and enters into the company’s capital
After seven years of collaboration between the two companies and a collaborative development of a new product, Mondragon Assembly acquires 60% of the Asian company, QHD Visual Automation Equipment Co, which will allow it to strengthen its position in the solar market incorporating the most innovative laminator machine in the market in its portfolio.
Pad-Press multistack laminator machine, the new most efficient membrane-free lamination solution on the market.
This innovative machine will allow customers to offer a top quality solution and improve their competitiveness in the market. Thanks to the development carried out between the two companies, Mondragon Assembly and VISUAL have developed a laminator that offers maximum performance in terms of quality in the lamination process. In addition, the membrane-free solution substantially improves the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) due to the significant reduction of downtime.
Not using the membrane in the complete lamination process allows customers to reduce the operating costs of the line, a benefit that makes the difference and gives the possibility to offer more competitive solutions and products in the market. “This step has been the key in the development of this new machine. With the Pad-Press Membrane-free system, we have combined the best laminating quality with a solution that will allow our customers to considerably reduce operating costs and increase machine availability,” says Oier Aliaga, Process Manager of the Solar Business and responsible for the development of this new solution.
This new laminator is valid for any type of PV module, but it is specially designed for Glass-Glass modules that go in line with market trends and new applications such as BIPV, VIPV and Integrated Photovoltaics. The solution presents other benefits in addition to those mentioned above, such as an innovative hydraulic pressure controlled system, with the aim of ensuring maximum quality, alignment and uniformity of the panel, completely avoiding the “edge-pinching” effect. With regard to the heating system, which is also a critical aspect in lamination, this laminator has 2 heating plates, which improves the lamination cycle time.
Mondragon Assembly continues to strengthen its position in the solar market.
After seven years of collaboration with Visual and the success of this new development, Mondragon Assembly has acquired 60% of the capital of QHD Visual Automation Equipment Co., Ltd with the aim of further establishing itself as a global supplier of turnkey automatic lines for the manufacture of PV modules. Visual is a high-tech company engaged in the design and manufacture of PV module lamination equipment, automation and visual inspection systems. It is located in Qinghuangdao City, where it provides automation solutions mainly for the solar, glass and ceramics industries.
“The acquisition of QHD Visual Automation Equipment Co., Ltd. is part of the roadmap of our Strategic Plan, where we determined that we had to be proactive in the search for new alliances that would allow us to create new business opportunities and that would strengthen our competitive advantage over the competitors.” Iñaki Madina, Solar Business Director, points out: The final details of this acquisition were finalised in the first quarter of the year. “This new milestone is a step forward for Visual as well, as this new alliance will give us the opportunity to continue working together to both develop new solutions and take our products global, as well as to respond to new challenges and applications that will undoubtedly arise in the future,” adds Mr Lui, CEO of QHD Visual Automation Equipment Co.
The many synergies between the two companies will foster the development of new and innovative solutions, which in turn will facilitate the acquisition of new customers and markets for both companies. “We are fully confident that this new milestone will lead us to work together to develop innovative automation solutions in our business that will increase market share and thus strengthen our position as a global turnkey manufacturer. A clear win-win situation for both parties,” emphasises Madina.
About Mondragon Assembly
Mondragon Assembly is an international group specialist in the development of automation and assembly solutions. The parent company in Spain, which is a cooperative, was created in 1977, one of the pioneers in the development of production and assembly technologies. Mondragon Assembly is divided into three business areas: Solar, E-Mobility & Energy Storage and Automation. Its main activities in each of these businesses include the development of turnkey lines and machines and contract manufacturing, being able to offer solutions anywhere in the world with their six production plants and three technical and sale offices.
Mondragon Assembly belongs to the MONDRAGON Corporation, one of the most important business groups in Europe.
About QHD Visual Automation Equipment Co., Ltd
QHD Visual Automation Equipment Co., Ltd is a high-tech and experienced Chinese company engaged in the design and manufacture of PV module lamination equipment, automation and visual inspection systems. It is currently headquartered in Qinghuangdao City, China and is one of the major emerging local players. The company has strong R&D capabilities and a good local customer base, mainly in the solar PV, glass and ceramics sectors.