September 2021
While the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact on the way in which we conduct both business and our personal lives, there has been much progress made in the battle against covid-19 during 2021, and signs that a return of some aspects of daily life that were taken for granted as recently as 18 months ago may not be too far away.
For Gencoa, one of the biggest challenges has been the restrictions placed on international travel, resulting in far fewer possibilities to meet directly with new and existing customers. But the business has operated throughout, and we are available for all enquiries relating to sales or support. Alternatively, please refer to the list of worldwide contacts for locally-based agents and distributors.
In this newsletter, we introduce a new technology developed with partners Nano4Energy, there is another chance to watch the staff presentations produced for SVC TechCon 2021, and we have news of an award nomination for Gencoa!
Hip3 is a new technology for high rate ion etching developed in partnership with Nano4Energy. The technology, which can easily be adapted to existing machines, delivers surface preparation and rapid removal of coatings or surface contamination based on positive voltage Hipims.
The setup involves two magnetrons, with a +600V and 150 Amps Hipims style positive pulse applied to one cathode and a DC bias applied to the substrate (pulsed for insulating the coatings). This set up delivers rates up to 20 times higher than standard argon pulsed plasma etching. Following the etching phase, magnetrons can revert to coating sources.
For further information, visit gencoa.com/hip3 or contact sales@gencoa.com.
An associated development that also uses the 'power of positive', is related to hard transparent DLC for windows and screens. We are happy to provide samples of this highly scratch resistant layer on your parts.
Released earlier this year, Gencoa's VACGAS-G16 sensing unit for chalcogen-based species has generated a lot of interest and was featured as part of an article on Oxygen Sensors published in the June 2021 issue of Vacuum Technology & Coating magazine.
The VACGAS-G16 unit provides an industrially robust means to sense elements of group 16 - The Chalcogens. Development of more advanced control of a 'Lambda' type sensor enables high accuracy oxygen tracking to match RGA's without the cost and complexity.
Contact sales@gencoa.com to request further product information.
Experts from Gencoa delivered a series of presentations at this year's SVC TechCon Virtual Conference which was held during May. The sessions covered topics including the benefits of active anodes in rotatable sputtering processes, real time spectral plasma analysis using Gencoa's Optix sensor, and a look at the range of magnetic options for planar magnetrons, highlighting the best choice of array for specific vacuum processes. All of the sessions can be viewed at www.gencoa.com/presentations or individually accessed using the links below.
Benefits of Using a Magnetic Active Anode in the Sputtering of Rotatable Magnetrons (Patrick McCarthy)
Real-Time Spectral Plasma Analysis Software Tools (Patricia Killen)
The Full Range of Magnetic Array Options for Planar Magnetrons - Too Much Choice? (Dermot Monaghan)
Automated Analysis of Vacuum Processes Using Artificial Intelligence (Joseph Brindley)
Light-Activated High Efficiency Antimicrobial and Antiviral Coatings (Victor Bellido-Gonzalez)
The next conference presentation will be at AIMCAL R2R in Florida in October. It is unsure whether we can attend in person, but a recording has been prepared: Adding biocidal properties to flexible plastics by Dermot Monaghan
Since Spring 2020, Gencoa has made a large number of the Optix vacuum process analysers available to customers on a rental basis to help with process development, troubleshooting and optimisation. Optix analyses process gases, vacuum plasmas, and provides outputs for process feedback control and Industry 4.0. Its unique optical spectrum based sensing and different remote plasma generation options, allow any type of vacuum process to be characterised including ALD and CVD.
The information provided by Optix is valuable and the robust nature of the device means that customers can apply it to any type of situation without a risk to the health of the device. That is why we are happy to make these units widely available for 1 month minimum periods. After you have completed the studies, we can pass the unit onto another user, or you can purchase the unit and we'll deduct the rental costs.
If you would like to take advantage of the rental scheme, please contact your local representative or sales@gencoa.com.
A video snapshot of its capabilities can be found at www.gencoa.com/optix
Gencoa have been nominated for a business award by Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, in the category of International Business of the Year.
The Innovation in Business Awards recognises companies that have helped to drive the business recovery following the economic challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gencoa's place on the shortlist follows the development of a biocidal coating technology that quickly kills bacteria on surfaces, reducing the potential for the spread of infectious diseases through surfaces that are frequently touched, such as touchscreen displays.
The winners will be based on a combination of public votes and a judging panel, with award winners announced in November. To submit a vote for Gencoa, visit: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LiverpoolChamberAwards21
For product information or support, contact sales@gencoa.com or visit www.gencoa.com/worldwide-contacts to find contact details of international support staff and sales agents.
