Abstract: This invention discloses a cathodic arc deposition apparatus for depositing a layer of low-conductivity material on a surface of a substrate. The cathodic arc deposition apparatus includes a source contained in a vacuum chamber. The source further includes a target mount for mounting a target thereon wherein the target comprising fused mixture of powders of the low-conductivity material hot-pressed with powders of a high conductivity material functioning as conductivity-enhancement matrix. The cathodic arc deposition apparatus further includes an electric arc for striking the target to evaporate a plurality of ions of the low conductivity material and the high conductivity material. The cathodic arc deposition apparatus further includes an ion trajectory guiding means for guiding the ions for projecting to the substrate contained in the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: In the generalized method of the present invention a heat curable coating is first applied to an article of manufacture. Thereafter, an outer coating is applied to the article in a physical vapor deposition process, and the heat from the PVD process cures the first layer while the PVD coating is being deposited upon the article. In the preferred embodiments, the heat curable coating is a powder coating and the cathodic arc of the PVD process provides the heat that cures the powder coating. An infrared heat source within the PVD chamber may be utilized to preheat the powder coating which is typically composed of an epoxy-polymer compound. Articles of manufacture having the coating of the present invention formed thereon are manufactured with less energy and labor costs.

Abstract: In the generalized method of the present invention a heat curable coating is first applied to an article of manufacture. Thereafter, an outer coating is applied to the article in a physical vapor deposition process, and the heat from the PVD process cures the first layer while the PVD coating is being deposited upon the article. In the preferred embodiments, the heat curable coating is a powder coating and the cathodic arc of the PVD process provides the heat that cures the powder coating. An infrared heat source within the PVD chamber may be utilized to preheat the powder coating which is typically composed of an epoxy-polymer compound. Articles of manufacture having the coating of the present invention formed thereon are manufactured with less energy and labor costs.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a physical vapor deposition apparatus includes a cable driving and cooling mechanism for driving a cable there-through and for depositing a thin layer of evaporated conductive film on the cable. The thin layer conductive layer can therefore function as a shield to prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) during high frequency signal transmission. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus for forming shielding layer for a cable includes two separate chambers. The first chamber is an electric arc chamber for generating metallic vapor by the use of electric arcs. A second chamber is an electron beam chamber. Electron beam generated from an electron gun is irradiated upon an aluminum wire to evaporate the aluminum wire and to deposit the aluminum vapor on the surface of the cable. Both of these chambers are provided with wheels which are employed to direct and pull the cables through the chambers.