The MES for Process-Driven and Scalable Production Control in Photovoltaic Production
FabEagle®MES
Our Manufacturing Execution System FabEagle®MES, offers high-performance production control and comprehensive data acquisition for the photovoltaic (PV) and battery industries. In these sectors, every percentage of uptime and efficiency matters. With our MES, you improve quality while also reducing costs.
With over 20 years of industry experience, FabEagle®MES is designed to meet your exact needs. Closely aligned with production processes, our solution enables seamless traceability and reliable tracking rates, even in high-volume production. FabEagle®MES allows you to optimally control and monitor your production processes.
FabEagle®MES – Your Benefits
- Stable production processes through software-controlled work flows
- Simplified production workflows and high on-time delivery with digital recipes, bill of materials and orders
- Faster production management with automatic recipe and machine parameter settings
- More efficient production processes through centralized transport control
- Enhanced quality management with comprehensive reporting and analysis features
- Reduced response times for maintenance with alarm and trend visualization
- Simplified tasks through automatic documentation and data acquisition
- Fewer bottlenecks and downtimes with real-time machine monitoring
- Gain insights into the impact of individual process steps on product parameters with full recording of material and product data
- Quality proof for manufactured products via automatic data archiving
- Complete traceability down to individual solar cells thanks to virtual wafer tracking
Continuous Improvement of KPIs
“At Solarge, we’re driving the energy transition with our sustainable, lightweight solar panels made in the Netherlands. FabEagle®MES has played a crucial role during our production ramp-up, helping us to continuously improve KPIs such as OEE. In addition to its state-of-the-art features, the MES is seamlessly connected to our ERP system, ensuring smooth data flow across processes. The integration with our ERP has also streamlined packaging and palletizing. As we are planning to expand production and develop new products, we look forward to continue working closely with Kontron AIS and using FabEagle®MES. I am sure that expanding the use of its traceability and process monitoring features will further optimize quality and at the same time reduce manufacturing costs.”
Joey Portier, Process Engineer, Solarge B.V
FabEagle®MES Applications in PV and Battery Production
Solar cell production
To monitor and control the production of high-efficiency solar cells, FabEagle®MES offers single-wafer tracking that covers all process steps in photovoltaic cell production. This allows you to maintain an overview and ensure the quality of your solar cells.
Solar module production
FabEagle®MES supports solar module production with easy-to-use graphical user interfaces. From module inspection and rework to configuring and monitoring automatic palletizing of finished modules, our Manufacturing Execution System optimizes your workflows and increases your production efficiency.
Battery cell manufacturing
The production of battery cells requires the coordination of many different processes and technologies. FabEagle®MES Serves as a central interface between your IT and production departments, facilitating seamless a seamless exchange of information. This means you can be confident that production orders are processed accurately, and production specifications are managed reliably – leaving you free to focus on your core business.
FabEagle®MES – A Reliable Manufacturing Execution System for Your Needs
FabEagle®MES offers a proven and powerful set of features that our experts can customize and extend to meet your individual needs. This flexibility makes our MES a reliable basis for implementing even complex customer-specific requirements. We support multiple data interfaces and implement custom flow logic for process control.
Our team supports you throughout the entire project – from the specification phase to commissioning and ramp-up. Even after that, we are ready to help you: Our maintenance and support services ensure the safe and efficient operation of your MES system. We are your experienced partner for the safe and efficient digitalization of your production.
What makes us different as a partner:
- Close collaboration & direct support: We work closely with your project team from the beginning. During the specification phase, we document your individual requirements in detail and specify the solution. We also clarify the machine interfaces with the machine suppliers. You have direct contact to our team at all times for fast, reliable support when needed.
- Smooth commissioning: Our team is responsible for smooth on-site commissioning, including setting up complex data interfaces to machines and IT systems. After successful testing and individual training of your staff, we will support you in the ramp-up phase if required.
- Long-term support & 24/7 support: Even after the project has been successfully completed, we remain your reliable partner. To ensure the secure and smooth operation of your systems, we offer comprehensive maintenance and support contracts, including 24/7 on-call support.
Flexibility in Adapting to Our Requirements
„I have been working with Kontron AIS since 2011. Their consistent professionalism, helpfulness, and effectiveness in implementation and support were key reasons why, when tasked with selecting the MES system for our new fab, I chose Kontron AIS and was eager to work with them again. Their flexibility in adapting to our requirements and collaborating seamlessly with our equipment vendors has been crucial in achieving a robust integration with our MES. Even with a tight timeline, they not only delivered on schedule but exceeded our expectations. We deeply value the dedication and hard work of the entire Kontron AIS team as well as their outstanding service and commitment. We look forward to continuing this successful partnership in the future. “
Hawazin Abdullah, MES Implementation Manager, Suniva Inc.
Production control of individual lines
FabEagle®MES is the comprehensive solution for higher-level production control of all manufacturing processes in a factory – from the control of individual lines, manual workstations and transport systems to individually integrated measurement and process devices. But not every manufacturing environment requires a comprehensive MES. If you are looking for efficient and flexible control of individual production lines, our FabEagle®LC line controller is the right choice.
Your MES Contacts for Production Control
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FAQs Manufacturing Execution System
FabEagle®MES is specifically developed for the requirements of the photovoltaic industry and has been deployed worldwide for more than 20 years. The Manufacturing Execution System supports manufacturers with production control, traceability, and quality management across the entire value chain, from wafers and solar cells to finished solar modules.
Our customers benefit from proven best practices, extensive project experience, and a solution designed specifically for the requirements of modern PV manufacturing.
FabEagle®MES combines production control, traceability, and quality control in a single platform. Key capabilities include single-wafer tracking, order management, routing management, recipe verification, material tracking, process data collection, and monitoring of equipment states such as SEMI E10 metrics, alarms, and production KPIs.
FabEagle®MES is built on a scalable multi-service architecture that can flexibly adapt to growing production requirements. Additional production lines, equipment, and manufacturing sites can be integrated step by step.
FabEagle®MES is already deployed in gigawatt-scale manufacturing environments and helps manufacturers expand production sustainably and efficiently.
FabEagle®MES provides standardized interfaces to ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle ERP, and Microsoft Business Central, as well as production equipment from various suppliers.
Equipment connectivity can be implemented through SECS/GEM, OPC UA, databases, PLC connections, and XML or CSV interfaces. For the integration of automation, process, and metrology equipment, we follow the ACM (Automation Capability Management) process.
Yes, FabEagle®MES is configured according to the specific requirements of your manufacturing environment. Workflows, product variants, process steps, quality characteristics, materials, and machine parameters can all be mapped individually.
In addition, custom functions can be developed at any time to support specific challenges, processes, or operational workflows.
The implementation of FabEagle®MES begins with a specification phase during which requirements, production processes, and interfaces are jointly defined. This is followed by system configuration, development of agreed customizations, and comprehensive testing.
After approval of the specification, on-site commissioning can typically begin within one to two months. During this phase, we support the commissioning of production equipment while simultaneously integrating and testing machine and ERP interfaces. Custom-defined enhancements are rolled out step by step throughout the commissioning process.
The project concludes with a joint acceptance process covering all functions, tracking workflows, and equipment integrations. Our goal is to complete MES implementation alongside production ramp-up, allowing manufacturers to benefit from stable production control, end-to-end traceability, and transparent process data from day one.
Kontron AIS offers support and maintenance agreements that include regular software updates, bug fixes, and technical assistance. Services include a 24/7 support hotline, software maintenance, monthly system health checks, and assistance with operational questions or issues. This ensures that your MES continues to operate reliably over the long term.
Manufacturers typically achieve the return on investment of a Manufacturing Execution System through improved production efficiency, higher product quality, and lower scrap rates.
FabEagle®MES supports root-cause analysis of quality issues, prevents process errors through automated workflow control, and reduces manual effort by integrating ERP and production systems.
In addition, the system provides real-time visibility into production processes, equipment performance, and quality data. This enables manufacturers to increase Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), reduce production losses, and identify optimization opportunities more quickly.
With standardized FabEagle®MES implementations in solar cell manufacturing, manufacturers benefit from a shorter ramp-up phase to the planned production capacity and target cell efficiency already during production ramp-up. In many projects, a ROI is achieved within the first six months after production start.
