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Conversion of a 3D printer for versatile automation of dip coating processes
F Rauh1, O Bienek1, I D Sharp1
1Walter Schottky Institute, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|August 3, 2023
Summary
A 3D printer was modified into a low-cost automated dip coater, offering a viable alternative to expensive commercial systems. This 3D printed dip coater demonstrates comparable film quality and enhanced automation for thin film deposition.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Engineering
- Automation
Background:
- Increased sample throughput necessitates automated sample preparation.
- Commercial dip coating systems require significant financial investment.
- Existing systems may lack advanced automation for complex procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a low-cost dip coating alternative using a 3D printer.
- To compare the performance of a 3D printer-based dip coater with a commercial device.
- To evaluate the quality of thin films produced by both systems.
Main Methods:
- Conversion of a readily available 3D printer into an automated dip coating device.
- Automated multi-layer dip coating procedures using up to six solutions.
- Thin film deposition of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) from ethyl acetate solution.
- Characterization of film quality using spectroscopic ellipsometry and profilometry.
Main Results:
- The 3D printer-based system successfully automated complex multi-layer dip coating.
- Film thicknesses achieved were comparable to the commercial system.
- The home-built system exhibited similar or superior uniformity and roughness compared to the commercial device.
Conclusions:
- The converted 3D printer offers a cost-effective and highly automated alternative for dip coating.
- This approach provides a viable solution for researchers and industries requiring advanced thin film deposition capabilities.
- The system enables precise control over dipping parameters for reproducible results.
