Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual
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Slot-Die Coater
User Manual
Manual Version: 1.0.J
Product code: L2005
Product Version: 1.0
Software Version: 1.0
enabling materials science
Ossila.com

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Summary of Contents for Ossila Slot-Die Coater

  • Page 1 Slot-Die Coater User Manual Manual Version: 1.0.J Product code: L2005 Product Version: 1.0 Software Version: 1.0 enabling materials science Ossila.com...
  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Overview ..........................7 Specifications ........................9 Warranty ..........................10 What the 2-year Ossila Warranty includes ................10 What the 2-year Ossila Warranty does not cover ..............10 Unpacking .......................... 10 Packing List ..........................10 Damage Inspection ....................... 11 Safety ..........................11 Use of Equipment........................
  • Page 3 10. The Coating Process ......................34 10.1 Gap Height ..........................34 10.2 Worked Example ........................35 11. Slot-Die Coater Troubleshooting ..................37 12. Appendix ..........................38 12.1 Minimum and Maximum Flow Rates ..................38 13. List of Related Products ...................... 39 14.
  • Page 4: Eu Declaration Of Conformity (Doc)

    Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) Company Name: Ossila Limited Postal Address: Solpro Business Park, Windsor Street. Postcode: S4 7WB City: Sheffield Telephone number: +44 (0)114 2999 180 Email Address: info@ossila.com declare that the DoC is issued under our sole responsibility and belongs to...
  • Page 5 EU-harmoniseringslovgivning, på den/de foregående side(r) i dette dokument. [Deutsch] EU-Konformitätserklärung Hersteller: Ossila Ltd., Solpro Business Park, Windsor Street, S4 7WD, Vereinigtes Königreich erklären in alleiniger Verantwortung, dass das aufgeführte Gerät konform der relevanten EU-Harmonisierungsgesetzgebung vorangegangenen Seiten dieses Dokuments ist.
  • Page 6 Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual anterioare a/ale acestui document. [Slovensky] Vyhlásenie o zhode pre EÚ Ossila Ltd., Solpro Business Park, Windsor Street, S4 7WD, Spojené kráľovstvo Výrobca: vlastnú zodpovednosť že príslušnými právnymi predpismi EÚ prehlasuje, uvedené zariadenie je v súlade s harmonizácii uvedenými...
  • Page 7: Overview

    This compact slot-die coating system is aimed at research and development teams who are looking to transition away from techniques that are incompatible with large-scale processing, such as spin coating. The Ossila Slot-Die Coating System has been designed for simple operation, easy maintenance, and affordability. An integrated high-precision Syringe Pump allows for accurate and reproducible flow rates, which are essential for controlling thin-film thicknesses.
  • Page 8 16 17 Motor 14 Plunger Pusher 15 Plunger Clip 10 Coupling 16 Flange Clip 11 Lead Screw 17 Syringe Holder 12 Wing Nut 18 Barrel Clamp 13 Rail Guide Figure 2.3 Slot-die coater syringe pump schematic Ossila.com Ossila Limited © 2019...
  • Page 9: Specifications

    Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual Specifications The Slot-Die Coater specifications are shown in Table 3.1 and Table 3.2. Slot-Die Coater Specifications Maximum Hotplate Temperature 120 °C Maximum Travel Length 100 mm Minimum Stage Speed 100 μm s Maximum Stage Speed...
  • Page 10: Warranty

    It will also void your equipment’s warranty. If servicing or repair is needed, please contact Ossila to organise a return. Our service department will also quote for any repairs to faults that occur outside the 2-year warranty period.
  • Page 11: Damage Inspection

    At temperatures between 5 °C and 40 °C; and a maximum relative humidity of 80% at 31 °C The Slot-Die Coater is supplied with a 24 V DC / 6.25 A power adapter with a power cord for the country of purchase. This is in accordance with European Commission regulations and British Standards.
  • Page 12: Hazard Icons

    Table 6.1 Hazard warning labels used in this manual. General Hazards When installing or operating the Slot-Die Coater, there are several health and safety precautions that must be considered. WARNING: Improper handling when operating or servicing this equipment can result in serious injury.
  • Page 13: Emergency Stop

    User Manual Emergency Stop The slot-die coater is fitted with an emergency stop button that can be pressed in the event of emergencies e.g. the trapping of objects within pinch points. When pressed, the emergency stop button cuts off the power to the system and a buzzer will turn on to indicate that the button has been pressed.
  • Page 14: Operational Safety

    User Manual Operational Safety Any procedure involving the slot-die coater should have a suitable operating procedure, risk assessment and COSHH form(s) to ensure that the user is aware of the potential hazards inherent to the work they are undertaking. The following are safety points that should be noted by the user before any procedure is undertaken with the slot-die coater.
  • Page 15: Repair & Service

    1 m clearance above the machine and around 30 cm clearance on the sides. 2. Remove the cable ties that secure the gantry during shipping. 3. Before plugging in the Slot-Die Coater, ensure the power switch on the unit is switched to the ‘0’ position (off).
  • Page 16 Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual Figure 8.1. Installation of the Slot-Die Coater by plugging in the power supply cable. Figure 8.2. Each digital height gauge should be fitted with one LR44 battery by removing the cap. Ossila.com Ossila Limited © 2019...
  • Page 17: Operating The Slot-Die Coater

    Operating the Slot-Die Coater Slot-Die Coater User Interface The control panel of the Slot-Die Coater is shown in Figure 9.1. It consists of an LCD display, 11 control buttons and 2 indicators. The functions of the buttons are described in Table 9.1.
  • Page 18: Program Operation

    Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual Program Operation 9.2.1 Turning the unit on 1. Turn the Ossila Slot-Die Coater power switch ON (position ‘1’). The bootup screen will show. 2. After the bootup, reset the stage to its ‘home’ position by pressing .
  • Page 19: Settings Mode

    Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual 9.2.2 Settings Mode The Settings Mode allows the user to input parameters related to the hotplate operation, syringe properties and stage homing. Edit mode can be entered by pressing on the required line. Entering edit mode on any parameter will turn the text of the parameter red.
  • Page 20 Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual 4. The surface temperature of the hotplate may differ slightly from the displayed reading. To set the exact temperature value on the surface, a temperature offset can be applied by navigating to the ‘Temp offset’...
  • Page 21: Manual Mode

    Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual 7. The stage position is tracked across the slot-die coater operation. The user allows to set new HOME position for the system during current operation. To set the new stage home position, navigate to the ‘Stage Home’...
  • Page 22 Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual 3. To move the stage position manually, press while ‘Stage’ is highlighted. The current position display will be updated automatically. 4. Press to select the ‘Syringe’. 5. The manual dispense rate of the syringe is calculated based on the selected syringe size in Settings Mode.
  • Page 23: Program Mode

    Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual 9.2.4 Program Mode Program Mode allows the user to set up a coating process by defining several parameters. Press the button to enter Program Mode. Entering edit mode on any parameter will turn the text of the parameter red.
  • Page 24 Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual 4. To change individual step parameter values, navigate to the ‘Step’ line. Press to enter edit mode and press to change the value. Press again to exit edit mode. You can press to change which step number is selected when not in edit mode.
  • Page 25 Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual 7. To change the Dispense Rate for the current step, navigate to the ‘Dispense rate’ line and press to edit. 8. If the dispense rate is set above the maximum allowed rate of the syringe, a warning will appear on the screen.
  • Page 26: Assembly And Installation Of The Slot-Die Head

    Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual 9.2.5 Assembly and installation of the Slot-Die Head The slot-die head can be assembled and installed while the unit is powered down. 1. Make sure that the stainless-steel heads and are free of dirt or dust before assembling, or there may be defects within the coating.
  • Page 27 Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual 4. If the micrometers are in contact with the gantry (a), retract them by turning anti-clockwise until they are no longer in contact (b). 5. Place the slot-die head flush against both surfaces of the mounting bracket.
  • Page 28: Levelling The Stage

    Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual 9.2.6 Levelling the Stage PLEASE NOTE: The digital height gauges used to level the stage have a resolution of 1 µm. It is not possible to level the stage to this accuracy. Recommended levelling parameters are given in the procedure below.
  • Page 29: Installing The Syringe

    Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual 3. Level the stage across the length • Using the button, move the stage so that the gauge rollers are now situated at the front end of the stage. • Using the front thumbscrew, adjust...
  • Page 30 Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual 3. Remove the barrel clamp by loosening the wing nut. Place the syringe in the syringe holder 4. In Manual Mode, ensure ‘Syringe’ is highlighted and change the position of the plunger pusher by pressing...
  • Page 31: Aligning The Slot-Die Head To The Substrate

    Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual 7. Connect the male end of the PTFE dispensing tube to the Luer Lock on the slot-die head and connect the safety clip to the tubing. 8. Pre-load the slot-die head. Using Manual Mode, move the plunger to push solution through the PTFE tubing until it reaches the head.
  • Page 32: Forming A Meniscus

    Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual a time until the substrate is free to move. • Repeat for the back of the substrate. Return to the front of the substrate and zero the digital height gauges. 2. Set the gap height. Slowly raise the slot-...
  • Page 33 Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual 1. Once the required parameters have been set in Program Mode, and both the slot-die head and syringe have been installed (see Sections 9.2.5 and 9.2.7 respectively), the program can be run by pressing the button.
  • Page 34: The Coating Process

    When using volatile solvents, place the slot-die coater within a fume hood or controlled environment (e.g. a glovebox). To use the slot-die coater, a general start-up procedure should be followed before coating should begin. There are several stages to this: Installing the slot-die head (Section 9.2.5)
  • Page 35: Worked Example

    A 5 mL syringe was filled with the solution and installed on the slot-die coater according to Section 9.2.7. v. The slot-die head was lowered onto the substrate surface and retracted to give a gap of 100 µm.
  • Page 36 Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual vi. The coating parameters were programmed as described in Section 9.2.4 and the program run. vii. The coated film is shown and achieved a film thickness of ~80 nm. Note that edge defects at the start and end of coating can be minimised by use of ‘sacrificial...
  • Page 37: Slot-Die Coater Troubleshooting

    If it has blown, The fuse on the rear panel has blown replace with a suitably rated 5A slow blow fuse Contact Ossila for a replacement power The power supply adapter has a fault supply adapter If all the above causes have been...
  • Page 38: Appendix

    Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual Links to further helpful resources for coating and troubleshooting can be found on Ossila’s website, including: • Quickstart Video guide (https://www.ossila.com/products/slot-die-coater) • Slot-Die Coating: Theory, Design & Applications Article (https://www.ossila.com/pages/slot- die-coating-theory) • Slot-Die Coating: Guide to Troubleshooting Defects (https://www.ossila.com/pages/slot-die-...
  • Page 39: List Of Related Products

    Related processing equipment UV Ozone Cleaner (L2002A1) Ossila's UV Ozone cleaning system is capable of removing contamination on the surface of samples, providing you with ultraclean surfaces within minutes. Ossila.com Ossila Limited © 2019...
  • Page 40 Ossila’s disposable polypropylene Luer lock the necessary Luer lock connections for syringes can be used with the PTFE tubing to easy use with the slot-die coater. Having connect to the slot-die head. Compatible separate tubing for each different material with a wide range of materials and solvents.
  • Page 41: Revision History

    Ossila Slot-Die Coater User Manual 14. Revision History Date Description 1.0.C 06/07/2018 Updated the levelling guide (Section 8.3.1) so that the UP / DOWN arrows are now LEFT / RIGHT arrows 1.0.D 09/08/2018 Updated specification, maximum head to substrate distance changed to 13mm 1.0.E...

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