Implementation of Innovative Automated Coating Technology in a Medical Device Facility

Abstract

Abstract - As part of new products development in a medical device plant, an innovative coating technology known as Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) will be implemented for the electrode coating process. Current process is performed by dip coating parts manually and exposing to high temperatures for pre-defined time. This process has a high cycle time from 8 to 10 hours per batch. Additionally the process results in not uniform coating thickness and high variability between parts. The new process to be implemented will be automated where the operator will load and unload parts in the system and press one button to start the process. The PVD technique is performed by sputtering atoms that make up the coating via bombardment of a plate of the coating material by energetic ions. Testing results showed more uniform coating thickness and less variability between parts as well as reducing the cycle time per batch to 45 minutes. Key Terms - Automation , Electrode Coating, Physical Vapor Deposition, PVD