W&L Coating Systems excels in upscaling of processes developed on small scale laboratory type systems into production ready platforms.
A clear focus on the special needs of vacuum processes combined with a long-standing base of partner companies and suppliers of top quality components are the foundation of highly reliable and profitable production systems.
A team of qualified specialists not only converts the desires and requirements of customers into working solutions but also assists and supports customers becoming familiar with the products of W&L Coating Systems.
Our competencies
The business model of W&L Coating System rests on two very different vacuum based technologies
- Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD). The preferred method is called magnetron sputtering where dense plasma discharges are maintained by superimposed static magnetic and static or oscillating electric fields. Extremely thin metallic and ceramic films on large surfaces are produced by plasma erosion of solid metallic or ceramic targets.
- Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (PECVD). Film forming vaporized or gaseous pre-cursor material joined by non film forming gases are subjected to a power source such as microwave power in a vacuum chamber at a suitable pressure to form a plasma discharge. Organic, ceramic and crystalline thin films are produced by complex plasma chemistry processes.
Product enhancement by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and physical vapor deposition (PVD)
Diamond thin films –pristine or electrically conductive – produced by PECVD processes display unique properties and can be used for a variety of products or purposes. As ultimate bio-compatible material diamond films can cover the surfaces of implants. Boron doped diamond coated electrodes are first choice for removing toxic chemical compounds in wastewater and can be used to produce ozone in aqueous environment. Thin precious metal films deposited on inexpensive solids by PVD processes provide desired surface properties of such precious metals without having to bear significant costs of solids.
Vacuum based thin film deposition offer enhanced functionality of surfaces at moderate costs
The economy of vacuum processes
The cost of ownership and production costs are usually divided into depreciation and rent, utilities, personnel and consumables. It is still widespread belief that huge investment levels for vacuum based process technology makes it appear too expensive for mass production. Detailed cost assessments show, however, that the costs for consumables or even utilities may exceed depreciation costs significantly.
Vacuum process technology offers unique features at reasonable costs
Leading in advancement and up-scaling of PECVD and PVD technology
The main innovative strength of the company manifests primarily in the transfer of laboratory scale processes to industrial production and in methods to reduce costs by increasing efficiency or reduced consumption of precursor material.
Innovation
Inhouse development
Profitability
