The PVD Process
At Plasmavac when we have a PVD coating project to complete it is not simply a case of sticking it into a vacuum chamber and then come back in 15 minutes.
It is vitally important each and every item goes through a process to achieve a successful decorative metal coating finish.
Once we receive the items to be coated (the "substrates") they will be inspected for their suitability.
(need a picture showing a man or lady inspecting)
If a highly polished mirror finish is required then the substrates need to be already highly polished, if a satin, matt or brushed finish is required then the surface to be PVD coated will need to be of the selected finish. (pictures showing finishes)
We at Plasmavac are happy to help with the required surface preparation if asked, and our clients will be advised if any issues are found during the inspection.
Once the project has been selected as suitable, all items will go through an intense cleaning process which is vitally important for the good adhesion and chemically bonding of the decorative coat. This entails going through our ultrasonic cleaning tanks which use eco-friendly detergents, and then through a rinsing system which ensures all the items are clean of contaminants and oil free. (picture of ultrasonic cleaning tanks)
Once the full cleaning process is completed we then move onto the drying process. The items are then put into a drying oven to ensure they are completely dry of any water and moisture residues.
(picture of a drying oven)
The products to be coated are now carefully unloaded and transferred to the vacuum chamber.
(picture of chamber being filled)
The chamber is then closed, the heaters are turned on assuring there is not water vapour or moisture left in the system and the vacuum pumps are started
(Picture of vacuum chamber)
The chamber has to build up to full vacuum whilst also heating up to the recommended operating temperature, which could vary depending on the finish and type of item being coated.
Once the machine has fulfilled its vacuum and heating perimeters the coating process is ready to commence.
The arcing targets within the coating chamber are then turned on to start a surface cleaning process by bombarding the items to be coated with ions. Once completed the coating process then begins. For your information the targets are the selected metal which is going to be turned into a ion plasma mist using arcing technology, the plasma produced is then attracted, by using an electrical charge which draws the metal ion particles onto the substrate (items to be coated) These metal target sources can be made from many different metals depending on the final required finish. Also the metal plasma can be mixed with different types of gas (if required) which changes the colour of the metal coating being applied.
(picture or video showing the inside of the vacuum chamber coating)
Plasmavac has one of the largest PVD coating machines in the UK and is using both cathodic arc evaporation and magnetron sputtering technologies. These machines are specially designed for decorative metal finish and use up to 24 individual metal arcing targets, all evaporating the coating metal into an ion mist. These arc sources are spread out within our machine to ensure good and even coating. Because of the large size of our vacuum chamber we are able to coat larger sized items as well as larger loads of smaller items.
(Drawing of a cathodic vacuum chamber and a magnetron spluttering chamber)
The coating process can take up to an hour depending on the desired coating thickness, with all the substrates to be coated being rotated on special jigs constantly to ensure an even full coated finish.
Then the PVD coating cycle has been completed the chamber is de-gassed and allowed to cool down the chamber is then unpacked and inspected. It is only after full inspection that the coated items are packed ready for dispatch. (picture showing packing)
It is vitally important each and every item goes through a process to achieve a successful decorative metal coating finish.
Once we receive the items to be coated (the "substrates") they will be inspected for their suitability.
(need a picture showing a man or lady inspecting)
If a highly polished mirror finish is required then the substrates need to be already highly polished, if a satin, matt or brushed finish is required then the surface to be PVD coated will need to be of the selected finish. (pictures showing finishes)
We at Plasmavac are happy to help with the required surface preparation if asked, and our clients will be advised if any issues are found during the inspection.
Once the project has been selected as suitable, all items will go through an intense cleaning process which is vitally important for the good adhesion and chemically bonding of the decorative coat. This entails going through our ultrasonic cleaning tanks which use eco-friendly detergents, and then through a rinsing system which ensures all the items are clean of contaminants and oil free. (picture of ultrasonic cleaning tanks)
Once the full cleaning process is completed we then move onto the drying process. The items are then put into a drying oven to ensure they are completely dry of any water and moisture residues.
(picture of a drying oven)
The products to be coated are now carefully unloaded and transferred to the vacuum chamber.
(picture of chamber being filled)
The chamber is then closed, the heaters are turned on assuring there is not water vapour or moisture left in the system and the vacuum pumps are started
(Picture of vacuum chamber)
The chamber has to build up to full vacuum whilst also heating up to the recommended operating temperature, which could vary depending on the finish and type of item being coated.
Once the machine has fulfilled its vacuum and heating perimeters the coating process is ready to commence.
The arcing targets within the coating chamber are then turned on to start a surface cleaning process by bombarding the items to be coated with ions. Once completed the coating process then begins. For your information the targets are the selected metal which is going to be turned into a ion plasma mist using arcing technology, the plasma produced is then attracted, by using an electrical charge which draws the metal ion particles onto the substrate (items to be coated) These metal target sources can be made from many different metals depending on the final required finish. Also the metal plasma can be mixed with different types of gas (if required) which changes the colour of the metal coating being applied.
(picture or video showing the inside of the vacuum chamber coating)
Plasmavac has one of the largest PVD coating machines in the UK and is using both cathodic arc evaporation and magnetron sputtering technologies. These machines are specially designed for decorative metal finish and use up to 24 individual metal arcing targets, all evaporating the coating metal into an ion mist. These arc sources are spread out within our machine to ensure good and even coating. Because of the large size of our vacuum chamber we are able to coat larger sized items as well as larger loads of smaller items.
(Drawing of a cathodic vacuum chamber and a magnetron spluttering chamber)
The coating process can take up to an hour depending on the desired coating thickness, with all the substrates to be coated being rotated on special jigs constantly to ensure an even full coated finish.
Then the PVD coating cycle has been completed the chamber is de-gassed and allowed to cool down the chamber is then unpacked and inspected. It is only after full inspection that the coated items are packed ready for dispatch. (picture showing packing)