The multi-purpose General OptiLab roll to roll vacuum coater is being used to develop and manufacture the latest 21^st century optical, photovoltaic and micro-electronic devices on flexible substrates.

The versatile bi-directional OptiLab coater has the ability to operate in a clean room environment, function in both contact and non-contact mode, with interleaf wind and unwind and provide for a variety of sources, including thermal, sputtering, PECVD & e-beam for R&D and full production purposes.

The coater is able to run a full range of coating technologies with the facility to include a range of different web treatment techniques, including medium frequency AC plasma pre-treatment on films ranging from 12 – 188 micron.  The OptiLab can also monitor coatings ‘on-line’ via a tri-range resistance monitor and optical transmission and reflection.

The General OptiLab vacuum coater can process web widths up to 520mm, with a maximum roll diameter of 400mm, running at speeds from 0.01m to 20m/min.  It may also have a maximum of 4 sputter zones, in combinations of single and dual cathodes, planar and rotatable magnetron sputtering, in reactive and non-reactive configurations. 

A high accuracy Servo drive system provides advanced web handling, precise process monitoring and control for superior uniformity and product quality for metallic or oxide coatings.  Its bi-directional winding system enables multi-layer coatings to be deposited simultaneously, without breaking the vacuum.

The compact design of the machine means reduced floor space and the possibility of installation in a wide range of locations.   An intuitive software interface enables easy interaction with the control system for rapid process configuration, data input & retrieval and process monitoring.

Potential application areas include medical diagnostics and treatment, military and homeland security, flexible displays, electronics, solar, and computer and telecommunications.