High-Performance Spin Coating Equipment
As a trusted supplier, PI-KEM partners with established manufacturers to offer a comprehensive portfolio of high-performance spin coaters, chucks and accessories designed to deliver precision, reliability, and consistency. Whether you require an entry-level system or an advanced, programmable solution for academic or industrial applications, our expert team is here to help you navigate your options and identify the ideal spin coater for your needs.
Our Range of Spin Coaters:
PI-KEM supplies spin coaters on behalf of Specialty Coating Systems (SCS), MTI Corp and Navson Technologies, each available in a range of sizes and specifications, suitable for a variety of different budgets and applications.
We also offer a full range of chucks for all of these models, engineered in a variety of materials to suit the coatings being dispensed, and the substrate being coated.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Spin Coater:
Selecting the right spin coater is crucial for achieving uniform thin films. Successful coating requires precise control over parameters including spin speed, acceleration, and dwell time. A coater that is well-matched to your application enables you to accurately control these settings leading to consistent and high-quality films, while avoiding inconsistent film deposition, material waste, and compromised device performance.
Substrate compatibility is vital to consider when selecting a spin coater, as different models can accommodate various sizes and shapes. You should consider the size, shape and material of your substrate, as well as any future plans to change these features. Following this will allow for future scalability, give best value for your investment and not restrict your experimental or production capabilities.
This also extends to considering the best type of chuck to support your substrate; for example, flexible substrates may be incompatible with grooved vacuum chucks (see A Guide to Chuck Selection for Spin Coating Success for more information on chuck selection).
Additionally, coating compatibility should be ensured, as chemical resistance is important when working with aggressive solvents; selecting a model with proper material compatibility prevents damage and extends equipment lifespan.
The right spin coater should contribute to overall process repeatability and result reliability. Understanding the number of layers of coating to be applied, the coatings being used and the end application will enable our team to recommend the right combination of coater, chucks and accessories to provide consistent, repeatable results and so minimising waste and errors, increasing yield and overall improving efficiency.
Selecting Your Spin Coater:
Spin coater model selection is dependent on your specific needs and budget. When helping you to determine the most appropriate spin coater to meet your needs, our experts will discuss with you:
- Your research or production goals
- Substrate parameters (material, thickness, size, shape)
- Intended coating material (is it reactive to certain materials or corrosive?)
- Desired film thickness and uniformity
- Required spin speeds/accelerations, dwell time, number of program steps
- Additional advanced features (e.g. UV curing, atmospheric control, spin-spray)
- Usage location (e.g. desktop, fume hood, glove box)
- Need for automation (e.g. stored programs, controlled coating deposition
- Required connectivity (information to be displayed, connection to a PC, WiFi/Bluetooth/Cable, External App)
- Budget and timeline constraints
- Frequency and volume of use
- Extra equipment needed, e.g. vacuum Pumps & Compressors for air, Ar or N2 supplies, fume hood/Glove Boxes
From this they will advise the appropriate combination of coater, chucks and accessories from one of our partners.
Specialty Coating Systems (SCS)
With over 50 years of experience, SCS designs and manufactures industry-leading coating equipment. Their equipment is suitable for universities and research labs, through to high-volume production facilities.
SCS offers two spin coater ranges: the G3 Series and the 6800 Series. Both lines are available in multiple configurations, designed to deliver high levels of efficiency and accuracy.
The SCS 6800 Series is an excellent option for R&D and university laboratories and can perform up to 8 step coating spin-cycles. The SCS G3 Series can support more advanced applications that involve complex multi-step process, and storage of programmes and data via PC connectivity. This series is also suitable for use in gloveboxes and can be paired with an automated dispenser.
MTI Corporation
For over 30 years MTI Corp have been leading manufacturers of oxide crystals, substrates and lab equipment for material research, and PI-KEM have been their appointed UK and European distributor for over 25 years and more recently have been appointed to cover Southern Africa. Not only can we supply materials and equipment, but we are also trained to provide remote and at-PI-KEM servicing and set-up guidance.
MTI offers the VTC Spin Coater range, which can broadly be split into four product lines, each suitable for different applications and with a range of specifications and extra features available. The range includes compact desktop coaters, through to those compatible with use in a glovebox. Additional features include heating modules, automated solution dispensing, atmospheric controls and spray nozzles. MTI also provides accessories including vacuum pumps, heated syringes, and fume hoods/gloveboxes.
Navson Technologies
For a decade Navson Technologies have supplied high quality equipment for material research, aiming to bridge the gap between research and industry with innovative equipment designs. PI-KEM are their appointed distributors for UK and Europe.
Navson offer two spin coater ranges: the NTCR and the NT12000. Both are applicable for a variety of applications, substrate sizes, and offer 32GB of storage for spin cycle programs. Navson spin coaters are vacuum/vacuum-less hybrids, allowing for use with substrates where vacuum mounting would be unsuitable. Their large touch screens allow them to be easily programmed for multi-step cycles and provide real-time monitoring and data-logging of the spin-cycle progress. The NT12000 is glovebox compatible and offers more advanced programmability for multi-layer coating. Both models offer corrosion-resistant Polypropylene coating chambers.
Chucks:
PI-KEM is able to offer a full choice of chucks for use with your spin coater. We can provide a custom design service for substrates that require a more specialised solution. See A Guide to Chuck Selection for Spin Coating Success for more information on chuck selection
Want to know more?
Our experts will carefully balance cost and performance ensuring that you invest in a spin coating solution that meets your current and future application needs, your budget constraints and experience levels. By carefully evaluating your requirements, you can choose a model that optimises workflow, enhances precision, and delivers reliable, high-quality results.
Contact PI-KEM today to consult with our specialists and discover how our wide range of spin coaters can enhance your operational efficiency and drive superior results in thin-film deposition. Your success begins with the right equipment - let us help you make the informed decision that will elevate your research or production processes.
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