Atmospheric Plasma Torch

Atmospheric Plasma Robot

The Atmospheric Plasma Robot System for surface treatment

The Atmospheric Plasma Robot System is a 3-axis desktop or cart mounted unit for automation of the plasma surface treatment process.

The atmospheric plasma robot is available with a range of XYZ travel options, from 200mm square to 500mm square and up to 150mm of Z motion. Automation is simple via the easy to use programmable step pendant which can store up to 255 programs each of up to 30,000 data points. A 5-phase stepping motor assures accurate and repeatable motion throughout the range of travel and the unit features a wealth of external I/O capability for integration with other equipment.

The robot is available in either desktop or cart-mounted versions with optional guard frame and safety light curtain interlock

Automated plasma treatment

• 200mm to 500mm XY travel options
• 255 stored programs
• Up to 30,000 data points
• 16 I/O channels
• Safety light curtain protection
• Bench or cart-mounted

Dual Atmospheric Plasma Torch

The Nimbus is a dual nozzle atmospheric plasma torch where both nozzle applicators are driven from a single power supply. The two plasma treatment nozzles operate simultaneously, effectively doubling the treatment width of the single atmospheric plasma equivalent, but can also be applied in different areas.

Each nozzle delivers a continuous plume (8-10mm wide) of active plasma gas to the surface and can easily be integrated with assembly/production lines with or without robot handling. The Dual atmospheric plasma torch operates with compressed air and doesn’t require any special gases or other services. A rear panel sub-D connector allows start/stop triggering of the plasma via an external signal supplied by the line.

In-line plasma actvation of:

•  Polymers
• Metal
• Ceramics
• Glass
• Hybrid Materials

Surface Test Equipment

Easy Test Dyne Pens

Easy test Dyne pens allow you to quickly identify if the surface energy of a test part is >72mN/m. Surface energy is the property of a surface arising from unbalanced molecular forces at or near the surface, compared to those in the bulk material, and provides a quick indication of adhesion characteristics and wettability.

Easy test Dyne pens and how they work – If a liquid is applied to the surface and its surface energy is higher than the surface energy of a material to which it is applied then the liquid tends to form droplets. If the surface energy of the liquid is lower than that of the surface to which it is applied it will spread out or “wet” the surface evenly.

Dyne Pens

The pens are filled with a Dyne test fluid of 72mN/m surface tension. The pen is drawn across a plasma-treated surface and if the liquid draws together or forms beads on the surface then the surface energy is less than 72mN/m, indicating that the plasma treatment has not been performed.

Easy Test Dyne Pens are available off the shelf for next day delivery.

Surface Energy Test Inks

Surface Energy Test Inks provide an accurate measurement of surface energy. Surface energy is the property of a surface arising from unbalanced molecular forces at or near the surface, compared to those in the bulk material.

How surface energy test inks work – If a liquid is applied to the surface and its surface energy is higher than the surface energy of a material to which it is applied then the liquid tends to form droplets. If the surface energy of the liquid is lower than that of the surface to which it is applied it will spread out or “wet” the surface evenly.

Portable Contact Angle Meter

The PGx is a fully automated Portable Contact Angle Meter that measures surface wetting and absorption in-situ on virtually any size or shape of the surface.

With a footprint of only 90mm x 55mm and weighing just 400g, it is the smallest contact angle meter available, with features previously found only in larger laboratory instruments. The PGx enables direct surface testing of almost any 3D object without having to cut the sample to fit. Simply place the PGx Portable Contact Angle Meter on your sample or part and press a single button. The PGx automatically delivers a precisely calibrated drop onto the surface and the built-in camera captures a video sequence of the surface wetting at a rate of 80 frames per second. The results are displayed as a static contact angle or dynamic wetting as a function of time, providing detailed information about the liquid/substrate interaction in a truly portable instrument.

Surface Silicone Contamination Test Kit

Silicone contamination of surfaces poses a real problem in many manufacturing steps. Silicones can be present due to mould release agents or simply from leeching from ‘clean’ packaging, resulting in poor adhesion and bonding characteristics.

Our surface silicone contamination test kit is a convenient method to determine the presence of silicones. Supplied in a handy case, the kit contains everything needed to perform a simple test for surface contamination by silicones.