ePD takes another step forward

Following last year’s commissioning of the first Oerlikon Balzers INUBIA I6 coating system at Nanogate SE, the two companies have agreed to work together with the aim of further establishing Oerlikon Balzers’ ePD technology and developing new applications. As the first global customer, Nanogate SE will now metallize plastic parts for the industrial sector using the environmentally friendly and extremely innovative ePD coating for the N-Metals Design technology platform.

High-quality components with glossy, metallic surfaces, such as those used in interior and exterior vehicle applications or in the consumer electronics segment, are currently in high demand and increase both the functionality and value of the end product. The ePD technology (ePD: embedded PVD for Design Parts, PVD: Physical Vapor Deposition) developed by Oerlikon Balzers is a trail-blazing coating method for all areas in which high-quality metallic surfaces are required on plastic parts.

What’s more, it is an environmentally friendly alternative to galvanic processes involving chromium(VI). After the strategic investment of purchasing the Oerlikon Balzers INUBIA coating system, Nanogate SE now operates a customer facility at its production site in Neunkirchen, Germany, and is preparing for series production.

In contrast to conventional manufacturing processes, ePD technology does more than just give  plastic parts a metallic high gloss and matt look with an attractive range of colours – it also improves their functional properties such as light and radio transparency. As a result, the highest functional and design demands of industry and consumers are exceeded in many areas.

The ePD coating process involves a combination of metallic PVD thin-film coating and UV lacquer technology, and the highly automated INUBIA I allow ePD coating to be carried out on an industrial scale, enabling extremely short production cycle times and creating very economical production conditions.

The aim of the cooperation between Oerlikon Balzers and Nanogate SE is to open up new application areas for both companies, and to develop and industrialize further innovative coating solutions using the INUBIA I6 coating machine in Neunkirchen. By combining the expertise of both companies, customer products can be implemented jointly and preparations for further series production can be made.