Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for applying metallic, ceramic or composite thin film coatings onto parts, components and tools (e.g. gas turbine engine compressor blades or cutting tools) by a cathodic arc deposition technique. The method and the apparatus allows for a continually changing structure of the applied film by nanoimplanting atoms, molecules, compounds or other chemical species and structures of different materials thus coating a substrate during a single process. Furthermore, during the same process it allows for creating a coating with specific parameters as required. For instance: hardness, smoothness, corrosion resistance, erosion resistance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for applying metallic, ceramic or composite thin film coatings onto parts, components and tools (e.g. gas turbine engine compressor blades or cutting tools) by a cathodic arc deposition technique. The method and the apparatus allows for a continually changing structure of the applied film by nanoimplanting atoms, molecules, compounds or other chemical species and structures of different materials thus coating a substrate during a single process. Furthermore, during the same process it allows for creating a coating with specific parameters as required. For instance: hardness, smoothness, corrosion resistance, erosion resistance.