PVD: Sputtering Vs E-Beam Evaporation

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Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) is – theoretically – a complicated topic. It is the process by which a number of layers of molecules from vapor is deposited onto a solid substrate in a vacuum chamber.

When manufacturing an item, PVD is used quite often. In particular, PVD is used in the manufacturing of aluminized PET film for balloons and snack bags, semiconductor devices, and coated cutting tools for use in metalworking. Outside of PVD tools used for fabrication, smaller tools have also been developed (they are used for scientific purposes). They serve the purpose of being an extreme thin film, like atomic layers, and are used mostly for smaller substrates. Prime examples are mini E-Beam Evaporators which can deposit monolayers of virtually all materials with the use of a high melting point of up to 3500 °C.

A lot of experts say that PVD coatings are harder and more corrosion resistant than coatings applied by the process of electroplating. Because PVD coatings have high impact strength, a high temperature threshold, excellent abrasion resistance and are so durable that protective topcoats are almost never necessary. Common coatings applied by PVD include zirconium nitride, titanium, aluminum nitride, titanium nitride, and chromium nitride.

Two very common types of PVD processes used are Sputtering and Electron Beam Evaporation. Below is a brief explanation of each.

The sputtering process involves simply ejecting material from a “target” onto a source that is a “substrate” – something like a silicon wafer — in a vacuum chamber. The target is bombarded by ionized gas which is often an inert gas, like argon. In the semiconductor industry, sputtering is used to deposit a very thin film on a number of materials in the processing of integrated circuits. Sputtering is key in anti-reflection coatings on glass for optical application.

Sputtering – which uses low substrate temperatures — is a great method to deposit metals for thin-film transistors. One of the most familiar products of sputtering are low-emissivity coatings on glass, which are used in making double-pane windows. An advantage of sputtering is that ever materials with high melting points are easily sputtered while evaporation of the same material in a resistance evaporator is difficult and causes problems.

Electron Beam Evaporation, or E-beam Evaporation, is the process in which a target material is bombarded with an electron beam given off by device with a tungsten filament in a high – intensity vacuum. The electron beam causes atoms from the source material to evaporate into the gaseous phase. The atoms then form into a solid, coating all that is inside the vacuum chamber with a thin layer of the material.

The biggest advantage of E-Beam Evaporation is it permits direct transfer of energy to a source during heating and is very efficient in depositing pure evaporated material to a substrate. Furthermore, deposition rate in this process can be as low as 1 mm per 60 seconds to as high as few micrometers per 60 seconds – these are very solid statistics. Compared to other methods and processes, the material utilization efficiency is remarkably high. Because of the high deposition rate, the industry chooses this process for thermal barrier coatings aerospace machines, hard coatings for cutting tools, and electronic and optical films for semiconductors.

When it comes to choosing between Sputtering and E-Beam Evaporation, it depends what industry PVD is being utilized in. Each have very specific roles, and are important for the future of PVD.

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Source by Vincent M George

Commercial Used Ice Machines – Facts And Buyers Guidelines

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As with any type of used equipment there are some basic steps and guidelines to follow before you spend your hard earned cash. Any used restaurant equipment requires careful evaluation to determine if it is a wise investment for the future success of your business.

There are various types of ice machines that are necessary for the needs of a typical commercial kitchen. This would include a commercial ice machine w/bin, water filter and an undercounter ice machine in the public area. Any of these commercial ice units can be found and purchased as used property at discount rates.

Your most important goal is to avoid equipment with a pre-existing problem. The compressor itself is not the only machinery part you have to be concerned with in regards to maintenance. You would also need to check the condenser, bin and evaporator.

In order to see the condenser you may have to remove the side panel of your ice maker. The condenser is very important. This part keeps the unit from overheating as it blows warm air out and away from the cooling unit.

Where the ice bin is concerned often you will find the ice bin is generally more worn than the other parts of the unit. In older ice machines this is one of the first parts to wear out. However, it is easy and inexpensive to replace. If it seems to be in good condition without undue noticeable wear and tear then it is fine. Conversely, if the door does not fit securely or there are cracks in the bin wall you want to consider a replacement. Otherwise you might experience wet insulation which would cause the stored ice to melt too quickly.

If the evaporator coat is wearing off or has too many nicks you will want to avoid this used ice machine altogether. The evaporator is the surface the ice initially freezes on, which is one of the most important task needed to produce ice.

Even with careful inspection and the ruling out of any expensive problems down the road there is still risk when you buy any type of used restaurant equipment. If you can’t tell how old the machine is that may a primary concern. If the seller provides the service manual, you could check online to see what generation the machine belongs to. This would give you some idea about how old it is. If there are maintenance records available, be sure t look through them as well. If you go through with the purchase, both these items will be helpful if you do need to call out a technician for repairs.

Remember the old adage “if it’s too good to be true then it probably is”. You can avoid a potential dud if you do your homework before buying. You’ll also need to match the unit to your particular needs so the ice maker doesn’t need to operate beyond its intended capacity.

Used ice maker sales are pretty competitive. Oftentimes a good salesman may talk you into an ice machine not specifically geared towards your purposes. But armed with the information provided here and what you turn up in your research that should not be a problem.

Don’t make a hasty decision. Go armed with a checklist and take notes. Check out the original manufacturers website to verify product information you’ve received or been told. Keeping with these guidelines will most likely result in a purchase that meets your budget and needs exactly.

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Source by Joel Williams