Modelling of Magnetron Sputtering for High Value Manufacturing (MOMS4HVM)

MOMS4HVM extends the application envelope of modified steady state electromagnetic modelling for the efficient & accurate prediction of industrial magnetron deposition systems. The project will determine & mitigate the limitations of the approach, when compared to more traditional, resource-heavy hybrid particle & hydro-dynamic models, where complex fluid flow equations have to be solved. This industrially led project's outcomes will be generically extendable to a range of current industrial deposition equipment, itself applicable in multiple HVM markets. Such equipment addresses the needs of lead customers of the UK's advanced surface engineering sector. MOMS4HVM will reduce development times, eliminating the need for extensive proto-typing activities, at multiple levels, including: prediction of coating distribution & functionality on complex industrial parts; efficient transfer of the magnetron coating process for a given range of parts across different coating equipment; design of next generation coating equipment; & optimised in-batch fixtures & composition for the coating of multiple components. It will create new market demand for advanced modelling software.