SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES has successfully established production systems for the environmentally friendly surface finishing of 3D components with the POLYCOATER vacuum coating system and the DECOLINE II integrated production line. SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES received new orders for both systems.
Dr.-Ing. Stefan Rinck, CEO of SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG, explains:
"We have been able to book orders from Asia and America in the last few days and are working on further promising projects. The advantages of this coating method are impressive - the process is environmentally friendly and sustainable and there are no hazardous residues.
The DECOLINE II integrates vacuum metallization (sputtering) as well as all painting and pre-treatment steps into one production process and automatically transports the components through all process steps. The POLYCOATER as a vacuum coating system is a central component of the overall line and is also offered on the market as a stand-alone product. Compared to the costly batch production that uses the vapor deposition process, this solution automates the manufacturing process and significantly reduces production costs thanks to the short cycle times of approx. 6 seconds per substrate carrier. Depending on the product size, one substrate carrier transports up to 18 components simultaneously through all process stations. The use of solvent-free UV coatings and the possibility of recycling them significantly reduces the emission of environmentally harmful substances.
The finishing of surfaces using vacuum coating technology opens up numerous new applications in the automotive and cosmetics industries as well as in the finishing of fashion items, ballpoint pens and smartphones, among others. With the DECOLINE II, the chromium (VI)-free coating of components can be realized economically and cost savings can be achieved, particularly in the automotive industry, through fully automated, integrated production and simplified logistics.
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES has also used and tested its vacuum coating technology for medical applications. Frequently used surfaces such as door handles, elevator buttons, shopping cart handrails and light switches pose a significant risk of transmission of bacteria, viruses and fungal cultures. Face masks also pose the problem of cleaning after use. One way to reduce the risk of infection is to use specially coated products with a permanent antibacterial and antiviral surface consisting of a copper alloy layer. This process is immediately available and is particularly helpful in times of the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent dangerous infections. In November 2020, an independent institute confirmed that the copper alloy layer developed by SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES also achieves a strong reduction factor in the case of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
