Continuous in-Line Sputtering Line for High-Volume Architectural, Automotive and Solar Glass Coating Uniform, Durable and High-Transparency Films

Product Description

Vacuum Thin Fim Coating Inline Magnetron Sputter System For Glass Substrates

Vacuum Thin Film Coating Inline Magnetron Sputter System is a fully automated, continuous production line designed for depositing high-performance thin films on flat glass substrates. Utilizing advanced magnetron sputtering technology, this inline system applies metal, dielectric, and transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layers with exceptional thickness uniformity and process stability. It is widely used for manufacturing low-emissivity (Low-E) glass, solar control glass, anti-reflective (AR) glass, conductive glass for displays and thin-film solar cells, as well as decorative coated glass. The horizontal or vertical inline configuration allows for high throughput, minimal handling, and seamless integration into glass processing lines.

Features

• True Inline Continuous Operation: Glass substrates move on rollers or a conveyor through load lock, sputtering, and unload chambers without interruption, maximizing output and reducing labor.

• High Productivity: Process speeds from 0.5 to 8 meters per minute. Capable of coating up to 500,000 square meters per year depending on configuration.

• Excellent Film Uniformity: Linear magnetron sputtering cathodes with optimized magnetic field ensure thickness variation within plus or minus 2 percent across the glass width.

• Multi-Cathode Configuration: Accommodates 4 to 20 sputtering cathodes (DC, pulsed DC, or MF). Enables single-layer, multilayer, and gradient coatings.

• Large Glass Size Capability: Handles glass widths from 600 mm up to 3300 mm (customizable). Glass thickness from 3 mm to 19 mm.

• Reactive Sputtering Ready: Integrated gas distribution system and MF power supplies for reactive deposition of oxides (TiO2, SiO2, SnO2, ZnO, ITO, AZO) and nitrides (Si3N4).

• Fast Pumping and Isolation: Individual chamber sections with gate valves and differential pumping allow target changes without venting the entire line.

• Fully Automated Control: PLC-based system with SCADA interface. Real-time monitoring of power, gas flow, pressure, and substrate tracking. Recipe management for different glass types and coating stacks.

• Energy Efficient: Optimized cathode cooling and power supply design reduce energy consumption per square meter of coated glass.

• Clean and Reliable: Class 1000 cleanroom compatible design. No liquid waste, fully dry process.
   

  Why Choose Our Inline Magnetron Sputter System for Glass

• Proven Industrial Design: Over 50 systems installed worldwide for Low-E glass, solar glass, and automotive glass coating.

• High Coating Uniformity: Linear cathodes with dynamic gas control ensure consistent color and performance across large glass panels.

• Low Operating Cost: Long target life (up to 1000 hours for rotatable targets), efficient power supplies, and minimal consumables.

• Fast Changeover: Modular chamber design allows reconfiguration for different coating stacks in less than one shift.

• Turnkey Solution: Includes installation, commissioning, operator training, and process recipe development.

• Compliance: Meets international glass coating standards (EN 1096, ASTM E2190, etc.). CE certified.

• Scalable: Start with a basic line and add cathodes or chambers as production demand grows.

Optional Features

• Rotatable Magnetron Cathodes: Up to 90 percent target utilization, reduced downtime for target changes.

• Inline Substrate Pre-Treatment: Plasma cleaning or ion etching for enhanced adhesion.

• Optical Monitoring System: Real-time transmission or reflection control for precise layer thickness.

• Edge Delete Mechanism: Removes coating from glass edges for superior seal durability in insulating glass units.

• Automatic Glass Loading and Unloading: Robotic or conveyor interface with washing and drying stations.

• Cryogenic Pump Package: Faster pump-down and lower base pressure for high-purity films.

• Data Logging and MES Integration: Full traceability of each glass panel.

  Applications

• Architectural Glass: Low-E insulating glass for energy-saving buildings, solar control glass for facades.

• Automotive Glass: Heated windshields, IR-reflective glass, headlamp reflectors.

• Solar Energy: Transparent conductive coatings for thin-film photovoltaics (CIGS, CdTe, a-Si) and perovskite solar cells.

• Display and Touch Panel: ITO-coated glass for LCD, OLED, and touch sensors.

• Decorative and Specialty Glass: Colored glass for interior design, museum display cases, anti-reflective shop windows.

• Industrial Glass: Conductive glass for electrochromic windows, smart glass.

Vacuum magnetron sputtering technique is the use of the female, bipolar electrode surface with the magnetic field of the electron in the cathode surface drift, by setting the target surface electric field perpendicular to the magnetic field, the electron increases stroke, increase the rate of ionization of the gas, while the high-energy particles gas and lose energy after the collision and so lower substrate temperature, complete coating on a non-temperature resistant material. Vacuum magnetron sputtering coating has the following advantages:
(1) The thickness of the coating can be controlled, according to the needs of people plating film, and the coating can be repeated, but also to break the limit of the prior art, to obtain a uniform film thickness on a large surface;
(2) Film obtained by this technique with strong adhesion;
(3) This technique can be prepared a special film material, according to their needs while sputtering hybrid film, compound film;
(4) high purity film.
We provide customized options for the machine, such as the different vacuum pumping systems, gas distribution system, coating system, etc.

The vacuum coater will be made exactly to feet your requirements. Our PVD machines are popular in Russia, Mexico, USA and other european countries.

Main Specifications:

Parts Name	Vacuum magnetron sputtering system
* Main application	Mirror making; ITO conductive glass, Low-E glass and sun reflecting glass; Solar cells; other thin film coating; Pilot coating engineering.
* Custom made(Vertical or Horizontal chamber)working chamber in Rectangular or cylindrical	Single layer or with cooling jacket
* Base material of body	Carbon steel or stainless steel
* Custom made carousel/rack/jigs	√
* High vacuum system based on oil diffusion pumps or molecular pump/MAG molecular pumps, roots/booser pump and mechanical pumps;	√
* Electrical controlling center with PLC screen, automatic and manual work modes available;	√
* Tungsten&aluminum filament evaporation unit	×
* Magnetron sputtering cathodes in Rectangular or cylindrical	√
* Arc deposition unit	×
Notice: This is a kind of custom made machine, the three above unit can be united in the same machine for multi-functional applications.
* Power support	Magnetron sputtering source
* Gas feeding system	The quantity will be provided according to the needs.
* Cool water	For pumps and cathodes, power sources
* Compressed air needed	√

Company profile:

Xiangtan Hondson Coating Technology Co., Ltd., which is in the field of metal coatings, specializes in PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) area. We produce vacuum aluminum evaporation machine, magnetron sputtering machine and arc deposition machine.
Xiangtan Hondson Coating Technology Co., Ltd. has enjoyed conspicuous success in the design, manufacture of PVD Vacuum Coating Machines. We are specialized in innovative PVD technology, as well as equipment for various applications, including electronics, thin film deposition, vacuum coated glass, automotive, plastic decorations, harden protective coatings on tools, molds, drills, knives, etc.
Our high quality Vacuum Coaters are sold to foreign and domestic markets and win their praise and good graces. We are happy to establish business relationship with customers all over the world. If you are interested in our products, or you are looking for cooperation partners in China for Vacuum Coating Equipment, welcome to contact us for further information.
Every machine is designed according to customer's real requests.

For more details, please contact us.