Manx Precision Optics, also known as MPO, specialist provider of world-class precision optical components for high-energy research and OEM applications, announces the commencement of operation of a new electron beam coating chamber. The new chamber improves capacity and offers greater accuracy and greater operating efficiency.
MPO’s new coating chamber extends the number of coating machines to four. Capable of high laser-damage threshold coatings from ultraviolet to infrared wavelengths, the new machine is controlled by an advanced control system allowing more accurate control and remote management.
Longer coating runs can be made, fewer test runs are needed and more complex coating profiles are possible because of the increased accuracy of deposition. This is ensured by a state of the art crystal monitoring system combined with advanced control software and cutting‑edge electron beam guns. These features also provide faster throughput.
The software deployed means that the coating machine can be monitored remotely. This in turn means that coating operations can be overseen without the need for longer shifts in the factory, since control from the comfort of the coating manager’s home is now possible.
Maintenance is also made easier by remote management with nearly 90 percent of fault diagnosis and machine resetting possible using remote access to the control dashboard. With the machine therefore easier to manage and maintain, the resulting higher uptime contributes to greater operating efficiency.
The new coating machine was installed by EVAP Solutions. The company are high vacuum and thin film deposition system engineering experts and UK distributors of I-Photonics coating equipment. Collaborating with the Lithuanian supplier, EVAP Solutions were able to provide MPO with a custom solution to fit their specific needs.
Dr Helmut Kessler, MPO Managing Director said “The new coating chamber is a significant enhancement to our optical coating capabilities and means we will be able to offer our customers more complex coatings with faster processing times. Investment in the new equipment is a strategic move in our continuous efforts to push the envelope in terms of both manufacturing efficiency and the specification and performance of our optics.”
Of the new coating system, Liam Smith, Director of EVAP Solutions added: “We are proud of the development of a custom solution for MPO. The system is based around an I-Photonics 10 position quartz monitoring system and the most up to date electron guns from Ferrotec. Combined with smart software, we’ve developed a system which is easy to manage and capable of highly effective and efficient coating operation. We’re confident in the value this provides to MPO.”