Abstract: A method for applying base paint non-uniformly to a golf shaft includes: inserting a portion of a golf shaft lengthwise through an aperture in a paint applicator, the paint applicator having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, where one of (a) the aperture is non-circular and (b) the aperture includes a plurality of slits formed circumferentially around the aperture; actuating a painting apparatus, thereby causing the base paint to contact the golf shaft and the second surface of the paint applicator; and pulling the golf shaft lengthwise through the aperture in the paint applicator, thereby non-uniformly applying the base paint lengthwise along the portion of the golf shaft.

Abstract: Method and system for detecting and/or quantifying ?9-tetrahydrocannibinol (THC) in exhaled breath. In one embodiment, the method involves providing an electrochemical sensing element, the electrochemical sensing element including a working electrode, and also providing a filter that traps THC in exhaled breath. Next, a subject exhales onto the filter, whereby at least some of the THC, if present, is trapped in the filter. Next, the filter is washed with an eluent, whereby at least some of the THC trapped in the filter is eluted in an eluate. Next, the eluate is deposited onto the working electrode of the electrochemical sensing element, and the eluate is dried, whereby any THC present is immobilized on the working electrode. Next, an electrolytic solution is delivered to the electrochemical sensing element, and the THC immobilized on the working electrode is directly electrochemically detected and/or quantified using a pulse voltammetry technique, such as square-wave voltammetry.

Abstract: Apparatus for coating a heated pipe section with a fusible powder includes a booth enclosing a powder application volume, at least one powder dispensing device for dispensing powder supplied to the device in the direction of the heated pipe section as the heated pipe section passes through the volume, and a filter mechanism coupled to the booth for extracting from the booth a stream of air entraining fusible powder that does not stick to the heated pipe section and extracting the fusible powder that does not stick to the heated pipe section from the volume. The apparatus further includes an opening between the volume and the filter mechanism. The opening permits the mixing of cooler air into the stream of air entraining fusible powder that does not stick to the heated pipe section before the stream of air entraining fusible powder that does not stick to the heated pipe section reaches the filter mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for surface treatment of an elongate object (50), such as a wire rope, while the apparatus (1) travels along the object (50), including a squeegee unit (10) for applying a deformable material, such as a coating material, comprising: a first and a second opening (16, 17) which are mutually aligned and through which said elongated object (50) is able to pass in a longitudinal direction (12), wherein a squeegee element (102) is provided between the first and the second opening (16, 17) defining an opening (15) which is adapted to the cross sectional shape of the elongated object (50) to distribute a coating layer by wiping along the surface of the elongated object (50) passing through said opening (15).

Abstract: Provided are an enamel coating method and apparatus. The enamel coating method includes (a) preprocessing a surface of the metal tube by feeding the metal tube into a preprocessing chamber by an in-feed conveyor; (b) coating the surface of the metal tube with an enamel glaze supplied from an enamel glaze supply nozzle provided inside a coating chamber by feeding the preprocessed metal tube into the coating chamber; and (c) firing the coated metal tube by feeding the coated metal tube into a firing chamber, wherein the (b) coating includes spraying air toward the metal tube by an air spray nozzle provided inside the coating chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and methods for coating drug eluting medical devices. In an embodiment, the invention includes a coating apparatus including a coating application unit comprising a movement restriction structure; a fluid applicator; and an air nozzle. The apparatus can further include a rotation mechanism and an axial motion mechanism, the axial motion mechanism configured to cause movement of at least one of the coating application unit and the rotation mechanism with respect to one another. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a scattered powder cleaning device, comprising: a case having an exit formed at one side for the access of glass and an internal space; an opening and closing part for opening or closing the exit; a powder spray part provided to the case for spraying a predetermined amount of power at the internal space; and a cleaning part which forcibly scatters the powder dispersed at the internal space by forcibly introducing external air so as to discharge the powder to the outside if the glass escapes from the internal space.

Abstract: In order to remove treatment liquid (21) from a planar material to be treated (10), which is transported in an assembly for wet-chemical treatment of the material to be treated (10), a retaining surface (4, 14) is provided for holding back the treatment liquid (21). The retaining surface (4, 14) is arranged relative to a transport path of the material to be treated (10) so that a gap (8, 18) remains between the retaining surface (4, 14) and a surface of the material to be treated (10) opposing the retaining surface (4, 14), when the material to be treated (10) is moved past the retaining surface (4, 14). The retaining surface (4, 14) may, for example, be provided as an offset portion of a peripheral surface of a roll (2, 3).

Abstract: A device is provided for depositing a treatment substance on the surface of a moving thread. The device comprises a tank configured to contain a liquid solution of the substance that is used to deposit the substance on the surface of the thread. The device also includes at least one nozzle having a nozzle inlet configured to receive said solution. The at least one nozzle is directed to spray the received solution towards the thread with a spray velocity in a form of jets, and the jets converge on the thread to adjust a thickness of the solution remaining on the thread by removing excess liquid entrained by the thread. The device further includes a pump that is coupled to the nozzle inlet and a treatment apparatus. The pump is configured to regulate the spray velocity according to a run speed of the thread.

Abstract: A fluid bed granulation process of a predetermined substance comprises the steps of: forming, through a fluidification, air flow of predetermined flow rate, a fluid bed of granules of said substance to be granulated fed to it in the form of seeds,—feeding said fluid bed with a continuous flow of a growth substance (or liquid).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extrusion coating systems, extrusion coated substrates, and processes for making the same. In some aspects, extrusion coating systems as described herein may include an at least partially insulated outlet wall, which may facilitate production of coated substrates exhibiting a very desirable surface texture and appearance. Coated substrates of the present invention may be utilized in a variety of end applications, including, but not limited to, interior and exterior construction materials for homes, buildings, and furniture.

Abstract: A solid coating die for applying an insulation varnish around a flat wire conductor includes a die body and a die hole formed through the die body, the conductor to be inserted into the die hole. The die hole includes: an entry portion having a cross section monotonically decreasing along a conductor insertion direction; and a coating portion including at least a sub-portion having a constant cross section. The cross section of the coating portion is a rectangle having four straight sides and four rounded corners. Each inner surface of the straight side of the coating portion has an inwardly projecting protrusion, a top contour of each protrusion being a circular arc, an elongated circular arc, an elliptical arc or a combination of these arcs, the maximum curvature of the top contour of each protrusion being larger than the maximum curvature of inner surface of the rounded corners.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for improved sputtering systems. In one embodiment of the present invention, a deposition system for use with a substrate, the system comprising a solution deposition apparatus; at heating chamber; and at least assembly for holding solution over the substrate to allow for a depth of at least about 0.5 microns to 10 mm.

Abstract: An apparatus for making an electrode of a dye-sensitized solar cell, includes a dye container, a number of nozzles, a roller and a number of holders. The dye container has a chamber for receiving a dye material, and the chamber has a top wall and a number of through holes formed through the top wall. The nozzles each have an opening facing toward a substrate to be formed into the electrode and configured for jetting a working material to the substrate. The roller rolls the working material on the substrate. The holders are rotatably mounted on the top wall and each hold a corresponding substrate to first receive the working material and then to be submerged into the dye material through one of the through holes of the dye container by rotation, thereby obtaining the electrode of a dye-sensitized solar cell.

Abstract: A drywall hopper assembly that contains a double blade that can apply drywall mud to both interior and exterior drywall corners with no blade change. A zigzag blade can contain two grooves, one for interior corners and one for exterior corners. With this blade arrangement, an operator can quickly move from one type of corner to another without using multiple tools, multiple blades or hand application methods to apply mud. The present invention can contain a pliable release port to present mud equally to an interior or an exterior corner. There can be such a port on both the top and bottom of the blade so that mud is smoothly applied as trim moves through the hopper or the hopper is moved along the trim.

Abstract: A rubber roll producing machine includes an outer member that is formed in a cylindrical shape, an inner member that is disposed inside the outer member so as to form an annular passageway between the inner member and the outer member, has an outer peripheral surface with a friction coefficient against a rubber material larger than that of an inner peripheral surface of the outer member in a portion of forming the annular passageway, and has an insertion hole formed at a center portion thereof so as to insert a shaft member therethrough, and a discharge portion which allows the rubber material flowing out from the annular passageway to contact the shaft member coming out from the insertion hole and discharges the rubber material and the shaft member to the outside in an integrated state.

Abstract: A method, a kit, and an apparatus provide a coating on an implantable medical device. The apparatus includes housing, a sealed reservoir chamber disposed in the housing, a reducing template, and a reservoir access port. The sealed reservoir contains the coating material. The reducing template is sized to receive a medical device therethrough for application of the coating material. A seal breaching mechanism can be provided and adapted to breach the sealed reservoir upon activation of the apparatus. The reservoir access port, which is disposed in the housing, is adapted to fluidly couple the reducing template with the reservoir chamber upon activation of the apparatus for coating the medical device.

Abstract: A coating device for coating a peripheral surface of a sleeve body with a coating formulation includes a vertical support column for supporting a sleeve body in a vertical position coaxial with a coating axis, a carriage slideable along the vertical support column, and an annular coating stage attached to the carriage and moveable therewith for containing the coating formulation and for coating a layer of the coating formulation onto the peripheral surface of the sleeve body during a sliding movement of the carriage along the vertical support column. The coating device includes an irradiation stage that is arranged to be moveable with the annular coating stage and to provide radiation to at least partially cure the layer of coating formulation onto the peripheral surface so as to prevent flow off of the coating formulation.

Abstract: An electrode mixture paste (5) is applied on both sides of a strip of core material (1) as it runs along its lengthwise direction, and the coating thickness of the paste (5) is adjusted as the core material (1) coated with the paste (5) passes through a gap between a pair of scraper tools (16a, 16b). Tips (18) provided to the scraper tools (16a, 16b) scrape off the paste (5) to form a paste-coated portion of a predetermined width. The electrode mixture paste (5) scraped off with the tips (18) is returned through recesses (19) on the upstream side of the tips (18) in the running direction of the core material, so as to prevent the phenomenon where the coating thickness is increased at both side edges of the paste-coated portion. Thus, a method for applying electrode mixture paste is realized that can prevent the phenomenon where the coating thickness is increased at both side edges of the paste-coated portion and prevent process failures such as deformation of paste-coated sheet.

Abstract: A coating apparatus and method are disclosed that applies a coating to a product in a uniform and controlled manner. The coating apparatus comprises a feeding stage, an optional pre-treatment stage, at least one coating stage and a finishing stage. The coating stage(s) comprise a coating material feeder and a coating device. The coating device includes an aperture conforming to the perimeter of a substrate to be coated in a first and second dimension. As the substrate passes through the aperture, coating material is applied in a uniform and consistent layer ranging from 0.001 inches to 0.250 inches. The coating material also back fills minor surface imperfections and blemishes on the substrate to achieve a consistent finish across the whole area where coating material is applied. The coating device includes first and second shell portions. The first shell portion has a concave surface surrounding the aperture portion.

Abstract: The inventions refer to method of product surface treatment, technological line and device for hot applying the coating on lengthy products. Line for applying the coating on lengthy product comprising supplying device, product surface preparing unit, devise for continuous applying the coating, cooling camera and final product acceptance unit. Device for applying the coating comprises camera (13) for applying the coating, fixed above the tank (14) with melt. In cover (16) of camera (13) there is an outlet 19 for creating pressure discharge, and in cover (21) of tank (14) there is an inlet (22). Camera (13) is provided with intake vertical passage (20) plunged into the melt of the tank. In the walls of camera (13) there are passages (23) and (24) for product (2) transporting. In working state the melt in the tank (14) and in the camera (13) occupies levels (25) and (26) correspondingly.

Abstract: The inventions refer to method of product surface treatment, technological line and device for hot applying the coating on lengthy products. Line for applying the coating on lengthy product comprising supplying device, product surface preparing unit, devise for continuous applying the coating, cooling camera and final product acceptance unit. Device for applying the coating comprises camera (13) for applying the coating, fixed above the tank (14) with melt. In cover (16) of camera (13) there is an outlet 19 for creating pressure discharge, and in cover (21) of tank (14) there is an inlet (22). Camera (13) is provided with intake vertical passage (20) plunged into the melt of the tank. In the walls of camera (13) there are passages (23) and (24) for product (2) transporting. In working state the melt in the tank (14) and in the camera (13) occupies levels (25) and (26) correspondingly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a carbon ribbon for covering in a thin layer of semiconductor material, and to a method of deposited such a layer on a substrate constituted by a carbon ribbon. At least one of the two faces of the carbon ribbon is for covering in a layer of semiconductor material by causing the ribbon to pass substantially vertically upwards through a bath of molten semiconductor material. According to the invention, the two edges of at least one of the two faces of the carbon ribbon project so as to form respective rims.

Abstract: A paper beading apparatus, includes a hopper having a body defining a chamber for holding a quantity of joint compound, and having an open upper end, an upper rim, and a lower end; a lid pivotally secured to the body for movement between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the lid engages the open upper rim, the lid having a releasably sealable air port; and a base configured for and accommodating the hopper lower end, for receiving joint compound, and for applying the joint compound to a corner paper bead.

Abstract: An examination assistant device (3) is used for examination in which a process solution containing an etching solution is held in contact with an examination objective portion of a quartz pole member (21) of a semiconductor processing apparatus, and then the process solution is analyzed to identify a metal impurity contained in the examination objective portion. The pole member (21) includes a pair of concave portions (22) disposed one on either side of the examination objective portion. The examination assistant device (3) includes a pair of end plates (32) configured to engage with the pair of concave portions, a frame (30) connecting the pair of end plates, and a solution receiver (31) disposed between the pair of end plates. The solution receiver (31) has dimensions to store the process solution and hold the process solution in contact with the examination objective portion.

Abstract: An articulating paper dispenser is provided including an upper housing and a lower housing that, when engaged together, form a both a lubricant container and a chamber for containing an articulating paper roll. The articulating paper that is unwound from the articulating paper roll is passed through the lubricant container. The articulating paper dispenser will preferably include pressure rollers to guide the articulating paper through a dispensing slot in the dispenser. The lubricant container is configured to contain a lubricant that increases the marking ability of the articulating paper. As the articulating paper is dispensed from the articulating paper system, it is coated on both sides with a thin layer of the lubricant. The lubricant-coated articulating paper is then used to check a patient's occlusion more accurately and precisely.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method of a honeycomb structural body which makes the profile of a cross section perpendicular to the length direction thereof less likely to generate dispersion, and also makes the thickness of its sealing material layer thinner, and a sealing material that is suitably used in the manufacturing method of the honeycomb structural body.

Abstract: There is provided a layer forming apparatus for forming a photosensitive layer of an electrophotographic photoreceptor, containing no bubbles in a coating liquid. In the layer forming apparatus for forming the photosensitive layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor through the dip coating method, a lower end port of a dipping cylinder is distanced away in a horizontal direction from a coating liquid discharge port, and the coating liquid discharge port is disposed above the lower end port of the dipping cylinder, in order to prevent a bubble from moving into a coating liquid portion used for actual coating even when a bubble exits in the course of circulation of the coating liquid.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus (10) for making thin layers from particles, wherein the particles are deposited on a carrier fluid flowing by gravity along a ramp (12) leading to a dam (18). The particles are held back at the bottom of the ramp (12), thereby causing the particles to be piled up one against the other in a monolayer configuration.

Abstract: A container is provided having a periphery and a base, which enclose a cavity. The periphery and the base are connected together, the periphery upwardly extending from the base. The periphery has a first slot and a substantially opposing second slot. Each of the first and second slots is sized to permit a first end of a tape located on a roll to be slid through it. A tape holder may be connected to the container so that the tape holder lies outside of the cavity of the container. The roll of tape can be placed on the tape holder so when the tape is pulled through the “mud box”, the tape is thereby unwound. As the tape is manually pulled through the “mud box”, joint compound is thinly applied to one side of the tape. As this is done, the joint compound begins to “adhere” to the tape, conditioning the tape for excellent wall adhesion.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing an adhesive tape are disclosed in which an adhesive tape is produced while a liquid reservoir is almost hermetically sealed by bringing a blade into contact with an upper laminate roller, and supplement of adhesive to the liquid reservoir is controlled so that the liquid surface of the adhesive reserved in the liquid reservoir comes into contact with the back face of the blade.

Abstract: A drywall hopper assembly that contains a double blade that can apply drywall mud to both interior and exterior drywall corners with no blade change. A zig-zag blade can contain two parallel grooves, one for interior corners and one for exterior corners. With this blade arrangement, an operator can quickly move from one type of corner to another without using multiple tools, multiple blades or hand application methods to apply mud. The present invention can contain a pliable release port to present mud equally to an interior or an exterior corner. There can be such a port on both the top and bottom of the blade so that mud is smoothly applied as the operator moves the tool along the seam.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for applying a coating to an implantable device. The implantable device can include depots formed in the outer surface thereof to receive the coating. The coating can include a polymer and a solvent applicable to the surface of the implantable device including the depots. The application of the composition is performed under a pressure, which can reduce the surface tension and/or molecular adhesion force of the composition. The reduced surface tension and/or adhesion force allows gas bubbles within the depots to be removed while the composition is being driven into the depots.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a web handling apparatus and process ideally suited for applications involving wet chemistry. The invention involves the horizontal processing of webs in processing containers. The web is redirected into the processing container by inserting a cassette across the web and into the processing container. The cassette includes at least one functional fluid element that facilitates processing of the web. The web handling practices of the invention improve the quality of the processed web. The invention is preferably used in electrodeposition processes.

Abstract: A hopper apparatus for applying joint compound to corner beads has a hopper for holding a quantity of joint compound and a feeder apparatus secured across the lower end of the hopper. The feeder apparatus has a channel and a series of elongate feeder inserts for selectively securing in the channel. A first set of outside feeder inserts each have a generally V-shaped indented groove extending along their length for guiding an outside corner bead through the feeder apparatus, while a second set of inside feeder inserts each have a generally V-shaped ridge extending along their length for guiding an inside corner bead through the feeder. The feeder inserts in each set have grooves and ridges of different angles and corner shapes matching those of a plurality of different inside and outside corner beads, and are releasably secured in the channel.

Abstract: A vehicle air bag for use with an on-board inflator mechanism. The air bag is formed from a base fabric that has been dipped in an aqueous solution. As a result, a finish is applied to the base fabric to achieve a desired low permeability.

Abstract: A coating process involving a hollow cylinder, a hollow shaft coaxial with the cylinder connecting a first and a second spacing device, mounting thereon on a vertical rod which is concentric to and mounted within a cylindrical coating vessel having a top and bottom, introducing coating liquid into the vessel adjacent to the bottom and withdrawing the liquid thereby depositing a layer of the coating liquid on the outside of the hollow cylinder and wherein a liquid seal is formed between the top and bottom of the cylinder and the hollow shaft.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for processing a monolayer film and transferring the monolayer film to a substrate are provided.

Abstract: The method relates to a disposable device for the application of a coating (2) on a tablet, a capsule or a pill. The coating (2) is applied enclosing the tablet, capsule or pill (3) during its passage through a bowl formation (4) with a coating mass (5) and through an elastic diaphragm (12) located in the bottom (11) and provided with a centrally disposed, conveniently penetrable opening (13). During the passage of the tablet, capsule of pill (3) the opening (13) encloses the tablet, capsule or pill and simultaneously shapes a film of coating mass (5) thereon.

Abstract: A method of coating a substrate comprises immersing a surface portion of a substrate in a liquid or supercritical first phase. The first phase comprises carbon dioxide and a coating component such as a polymer. The substrate is then withdrawn from the first phase into a distinct second phase such as a gas atmosphere so that the coating component is deposited on said surface portion. The withdrawal step is followed by separating the carbon dioxide from the coating component (e.g., by evaporation, venting, heating, etc.) so that the coating component is retained as a coating layer formed on the surface portion. Apparatus for carrying out the method by free meniscus coating, or employing a metering element such as a knife, blade, or roll, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inventive apparatus for producing electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a guide portion permitting passage of a cylindrical coated member; a coating-solution feed portion disposed around an outer periphery of the guide portion and allowing a coating solution to flow over an upper end of the guide portion thereby applying the solution to an outer periphery of the coated member; a coating-solution feeding assembly for feeding the coating solution to the coating-solution feed portion; a coating-solution recovery portion disposed around an outer periphery of the coating-solution feed portion via a partitioning wall for recovery of the coating solution flowing from the coating-solution feed portion over the partitioning wall; and an openable communicating portion for communication between the coating-solution feed portion and the coating-solution recovery portion.

Abstract: An application device for applying an application medium to at least one side of a moving product web, the web having a running direction. The application device includes at least one roll supporting the web, at least one pocket between at least one roll and at least one side, at least one pocket having a size and a shape, at least one feed apparatus including a metering element, the metering element having at least one discharge nozzle projecting into at least one pocket and at least one application chamber designed into the metering element, at least one discharge nozzle discharging the application medium onto the web in a first direction and proximate to at least one application chamber, the first direction approximately orthogonal to the running direction.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the modifying of substrates such as monofilaments, bundles of monofilaments, and fibrous structural material with a modifying agent. The modifying agent is suspended or dissolved in a supercritical fluid, near-critical fluid, superheated fluid, superheated liquid, or a liquified gas and is deposited by rapidly altering the pressure in a chamber to deposit the modifying material onto the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the production of a strip-like metallic composite material by the high-temperature dip coating of a metallic carrier strip, consisting of a metallurgic vessel for receiving the liquid depositing material, through which the carrier strip is capable of being led in a preferably vertical run-through direction by means of pairs of rollers arranged on the entry and the exit side, and of a preheating device for the carrier strip, said preheating device being located upstream of the metallurgic vessel. At the same time, the preheating device (41) is arranged in a housing (61) which is arranged in the entry region upstream of the metallurgic vessel (11) and surrounds the carrier strip (21) and into which the medium coming from a media supply (52) is capable of being introduced via at least one feed (51) led into the housing.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for processing a monolayer film and transferring the monolayer film to a substrate are provided.

Abstract: In order to provide an even protective layer on the outer surfaces of work pieces, in particular also on critical points, in a galvanizing tank (3), the so-called articles (2) are moved in the dip bath (3) not only in the horizontal but also in the vertical direction. In order to achieve a combined horizontal and vertical movement of the articles (2), a drive means in the device for horizontal movement is combined with a drive means for vertical movement. It is particularly advantageous to move the articles (2) in the horizontal direction along a hypocycloid (29).

Abstract: A method and a system for regenerating a metal bath contaminated by mixed crystals, particularly a tin bath (17) in a hot-dip coating process. A partial stream of the tin bath (17) is removed from the coating tank (15) and is first of all heated above its liquidus temperature in a heating unit (24). Subsequently, the tin bath is conducted over a cooling unit (27) and, while flowing through a filter (29), is cleaned of mixed crystals coming down as a result of the cooling. The filter 29 is a ceramic foam filter made of silicon carbide. Subsequently, the regenerated tin bath (17a) is heated in a melting tank to process temperature, and returned from there to the coating tank (15).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for dip-coating intermediate and/or discrete discontinuous portions of longitudinal devices, including medical devices such as catheters and guidewires. The apparatus provides a chamber in which both the desired portion(s) of the device and the coating solution can be controllably contacted. A controlled coating can be achieved within the chamber by providing and controlling one or more of the following relationships: a) the manner in which a chamber (containing solution) is itself moved with respect to a static device, b) the manner in which the device is moved with respect to a fixed chamber position containing a fixed volume of solution, and/or c) the manner in which both the chamber and device are fixed in position, and the coating is achieved by adding and removing a volume of solution from the chamber.

Abstract: Medical cannulas are typically provided with a silicone coating to improve incision performance. In order to produce a thin, continuous and even coating layer, silicone oil is provided at one side of an elastic foil and the foil is penetrated by the uncoated cannula from an opposite side. During this operation the cannula is wetted by the silicone oil. During withdrawal of the cannula from the foil, excess silicone oil is removed from the cannula and an even, particle-free thin coating which has no bulge- or bead-forming tendency during incision is obtained. Subsequently, the silicone coating is dried.

Abstract: A tip coating system for use with scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tips. The tip coating system includes a tip holder, a plate having a slot for receiving the tip and for holding a coating material, a heater for heating the coating material into a molten blob, a micropositioner for displacing the plate to and from the tip and for moving the tip within the slot so that selected portions of the tip contact the molten blob of coating material. The tip coating system is preferably controlled by electronic controllers, including a temperature controller for the heater. The tip coating system is used to insulate the tips with soft polymer coating material to ensure very low tip leakage current (on the order of about 1 pA typical).