Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a flocked planar product having a net or grid structure. In said method, a net-type or grid-type, planar starting substrate is provided with an adhesive coating into which flock fibers are introduced in an electrostatic fashion. In order to apply the adhesive coating, the starting substrate is moved through a passageway for applying adhesive between a pressing member and a transfer member that stores adhesive, and the transfer member is moved by means of the pressing member in such a way that an adhesive deposit builds up or accumulates at the inlet of the application passageway, the planar starting substrate being immersed and/or guided through said adhesive deposit.
Abstract:
Multiplexed electrospray deposition apparatus capable of delivering picoliter volumes of one or more substances is disclosed. The apparatus may include a unitary planar dispenser etched from a silicon wafer through microfabrication or micromachining technology. The apparatus may be used as a deposition tool for making protein microarrays in a noncontact mode. Upon application of potential difference in the range of 7-9 kV, the substances may be dispensed directly, not through a collimating mask, onto a substrate with microhydrogel features functionalized with an anchoring agent.
Abstract:
A nanoparticle coated hydrogel may be formed by a method of electrospraying nanoparticles on to a hydrogel surface includes providing a drug and polymer combination in solvent to an inner capillary of a coaxial capillary spray nozzle. A coating with a drug that releases over time may be provided. Open and closed matrixes may be selectively formed to help modify time release periods.
Abstract:
A method of coating a non-rotary object with an electrospun coat, the method comprising, dispensing a charged liquefied polymer through at least one dispensing element within an electric field to thereby form a jet of polymer fibers, and moving the dispensing element relative to the object so as to coat the object with the electrospun coat.
Abstract:
A powder coating control system comprising a plurality of gun controls associated with a like plurality of powder spray guns. Each of the gun controls stores a plurality of presets spray parameters. Each of the gun controls responds to part identification signals and part position signals to select in real time one of the stored presets of spray parameters and trigger its respective powder spray gun ON and OFF to apply a powder coating to the moving part in accordance with the selected set of spray parameters. The control system further permits a gun purge cycle to be programmed either before or after the powder coating process is executed. The control system automatically initializes and brings each of the gun controls to an operable state on-line with the system control.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for improved control of low viscosity fluid flow during electrohydrodynamic spray deposition of the fluid to coat small targets, such as medical devices like stents. The apparatus includes a target holder which applies a first electrical potential to a target, a coating fluid transporter such as a wick, a siphon tube or a siphon tube with a wick therein along which the coating fluid flows from a reservoir to a dispensing end of the transporter, and an electrode which applied a second electrical potential to the coating fluid sufficient to cause the coating fluid to be attracted from the dispensing end of the transporter toward the target. This provides a target coating apparatus with highly self-regulating coating fluid flow characteristics despite the low viscosity of the coating fluid, while producing highly consistent and uniform target coatings.
Abstract:
The method for finishing a manufactured article by powder painting, providing for the application, on a surface to be decorated of the manufactured article, of one decorative layer obtained by means of the transfer by controlled migration of powder particles which originate from a graphic matrix arranged in front of the surface to be decorated and designed to adhere thereto, said transfer and said adhesion being provided by way of a first electrostatic field which comprises lines of force which are incident at right angles to the surface to be decorated, said manufactured article acting fully or partly as reference electrode for the first electrostatic field, so as to produce a condition of solid contact between the electrode and the surface to be decorated. The apparatus for carrying out the method.
Abstract:
A diffuser comprises a conduit having a cross-sectional area that increases in a direction fluid flow. In one embodiment, the diffuser is used to reduce the incidence and severity of flow fluctuations that occur in an electrostatic deposition apparatus. In some embodiments, the diffuser includes one or more flow control features. A first flow-control feature comprises one or more appropriately-shaped annular slits through which fluid having a greater momentum than a primary fluid moving through the diffuser is injected into the “boundary layer” near the wall of the diffuser. A second flow control feature comprises one or more annular slits or, alternatively, slots or holes that are disposed at appropriate locations around the circumference of the diffuser through which a portion of fluid flowing in the boundary layer is removed. Boundary-layer flow removal is effected, in one embodiment, by creating a pressure differential across such annular slit or slots. Among other benefits, such flow control features reduce any tendencies for flow separation of the primary fluid in the diffuser.
Abstract:
Provided is a method using a dry deposition apparatus for depositing grains on a substrate comprising: an electrostatic chuck having one or more collection zones, wherein the substrate is layered on the chuck for processing; a charged grain delivery apparatus for directing charged grains for electrostatic deposition on the substrate at the locations of the collection zones; and an optical detection device for quantifying the amount of grains deposited.