Edwards Group, the manufacturer of vacuum products and services, has supplied a range of vacuum pumps including rotary vane pumps, mechanical boosters and magnetically levitated turbomolecular pumps to UNI Plasma, an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) based in Korea, for coating applications.
UNI Plasma manufactures coating and in-line sputtering systems for end-users making touch-panels, used for various mobile display devices. The end-user had been using ball-bearing type turbomolecular pumps which need frequent service. The lack of local service support meant that the equipment had to be exported outside the country to get serviced every two years, which resulted in maintaining an expensive inventory of standby pumps to prevent down-time loss and production shortfall.
The order includes Edwards’ STP magnetically levitated turbomolecular pumps which use magnetic bearings to ensure a consistent, reliable performance and requiring virtually no maintenance. Partnering with the customer locally and providing prompt support ensured an excellent three way relationship between Edwards, UNI Plasma and the end-user. This has resulted in a mutually beneficial relationship that should lead to future opportunities. Edwards has a large base of customers for in-line sputtering application, and so has extensive experience in this sector.
V Rangajaran, industrial market sector manager, Asia, Edwards commented, “We are delighted to work with UNI Plasma to provide long-term benefits by offering customised solutions with superior technology, virtually no maintenance and trouble-free operation. Our breadth of experience across the world with such applications makes us a supplier of choice for OEMs looking for trouble-free vacuum solutions.”
