Singulus Technologies Offers A Fully Automated Production System For Antibacterial Functional Layers
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG has developed a coating process for antibacterial functional layers. The antibacterial layer system was tested and certified by Hohenstein Laboratories in April 2016.
Singulus’s fully automated production system marketed under the product name DECOLINE II allows the efficient application of these functional layers. The basis for such a production line is the inline vacuum sputtering system by the name of POLYCOATER Metallizer. This complete production line integrates metallizing under vacuum and automatically transports the parts to defined transfer points. In combination with a base coat, the coating applies an additional finish to two or three-dimensional components with various characteristics. Rotationally symmetrical components with a diameter of up to 69 mm and up to 130 mm in size can easily be processed.
The SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES system concept includes a universal work piece carrier with 18 bays, on which the various work pieces can be placed using an individually shaped plastic adapter. This affords ample scope for scaling the size and number of products to be treated.
Antibacterial surfaces minimize the risk of infection
Permanently antibacterial surfaces are very important especially in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics and specialized care centers. The surfaces of objects such as door knobs, elevator buttons, light switches etc. represent a significant risk for the transfer of bacterial and fungal cultures. It would therefore be helpful if the surfaces of objects in hospitals that are often touched by a number of different people could be given a permanent antibacterial coating. The environmentally friendly, low-cost functional coatings that are produced in SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES vacuum coating systems minimize the risk of infection by the so-called “hospital superbug” MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and by E.coli bacteria, as various studies have shown.
A copper alloy applied in a vacuum is an excellent alternative to the still-widespread use of silver. Copper alloys are unique in that they significantly reduce MRSA bacteria on surfaces. The copper alloy is entirely safe for the human body and the original surface properties of the treated material are fully preserved despite the alloy. The crucial advantage of the machinery and system concept developed is that standard parts are enveloped in a thin layer in the production process.
