Abstract: In a gas wiping apparatus for blowing a gas on the front side and the back side of a strip, which exits from a hot-dip plating bath and travels upward, from wiping nozzles to adjust the amount of a plating deposit, the wiping nozzles are supported to be linearly movable beyond the width of the nozzles in the plate width direction of the strip.

Abstract: A coating apparatus including a coating part which coats a liquid material containing a metal on a substrate, a coating-film forming part which subjects the liquid material coated on the substrate to a predetermined treatment to form a coating film, and a removing part which removes a peripheral portion of the coating material formed along the outer periphery of the substrate.

Abstract: To provide an apparatus and method of curtain coating for applying onto a running web a coating solution from a lip top in the form of curtain to form a coating thereon, wherein a fluid is blown to remove excessive deposits of the coating solution that are formed at the edges in the width direction of the coating, and the deposits blown away by the fluid are ejected.

Abstract: A gas wiping device for preventing splash on a steel band including a box-shaped body enclosing the steel band and gas wiping nozzles is provided with a plating bath for storing molten metal, and a box-shaped body placed above the plating bath. The box-shaped body is provided, in the interior, with gas wiping nozzles disposed facing one another on the respective tubular members so as to sandwich a band-shaped body. Gas wiping nozzle is provided with a first spraying unit capable of spraying gas to the steel band, and a second spraying unit and a third spraying unit capable of spraying gas towards the direction of gas wiping nozzle. Gas wiping nozzle is provided with a fourth spraying unit capable of spraying gas to the steel band, and a fifth spraying unit and a sixth spraying unit capable of spraying gas towards the direction of gas wiping nozzle.

Abstract: A honeycomb filter production apparatus used for producing a honeycomb filter, the apparatus includes: a workpiece securing section for securing a base (workpiece) of a honeycomb filter; a powder transfer section for transferring a powder together with an air current by utilizing pressurized gas; an introduction section that is provided between the powder transfer section and the workpiece securing section, the powder transferred from the powder transfer section together with the air current being mixed with another gas in the introduction section, and introduced into the base (workpiece) secured by the workpiece securing section; and a suction section for sucking the gas that has passed through the base (workpiece) secured by the workpiece securing section by reducing pressure on the other side of the workpiece securing section as compared with the one side of the workpiece securing section using suction means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for chromatogenous grafting treatment of a scrolling substrate (S) having a hydroxylated face (Fh), comprising: an application device (3) of a grafting reagent on the hydroxylated face (Fh) of the substrate, a heating roller (4) for the development of the grafting reaction on the hydroxylated face (Fh) of the substrate, said roller (4) being provided with a bar-end system (5a, 5b) for applying a face of the substrate (S) against said heating roller (4), an extraction device (6) of the hydrochloric acid produced during the grafting reaction, an application device (7) of an air knife on the treated face of the substrate for eliminating the residual grafting reagent. The invention also relates to a chromatogenous grafting process used in said machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a sheet metal component. A hot or cold strip is electrolytically coated or coated in a smelting bath and the thus coated hot or cold strip is subjected to a flexible rolling process. During said process, sheet metal having various thicknesses of the flexibly rolled steel strips are produced due to various rolling pressures. Said invention is characterized in that in accordance with the thickness of the sheet metal after being rolled in a flexible manner or in accordance with the rolling pressure during flexible rolling, either the coating whilst being coated has various thicknesses, and in accordance with the rolling pressure with increasing rolling pressure that is expected, the thickness of the coating is thicker and/or the coating prior to or after the flexible rolling is subjected to a mechanical or chemical surface treatment for adjusting the desired emissivity or heat absorption capacity.

Abstract: A method for applying a water-based coating (53) to a painted workpiece (49) is provided. The method includes spraying water (51) from an application nozzle unit (10) to the workpiece (49), feeding the water-based coating (53) to the workpiece (49), and finally applying streams of compressed air onto the water-based coating (53) to spread uniformly the water-based coating (53).

Abstract: In a gas wiping apparatus which blows gas through a wiping nozzle onto front and rear surfaces of a steel plate going out from a molten metal coating pot and running upward and which thereby controls a deposit mass, the wiping nozzle is separated into upper and lower lips, blocking faces partially closing a gas supply channel are formed in the upper and lower lips at vertically different positions on the opposite sides from each other in a gas outlet width direction, and the upper and lower lips are provided in such a manner as to be movable in a width direction of the steel plate.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein employ various modes of material deposition and material removal to build a complex, three-dimensional structure upon a rotating base. The systems and methods may be usefully employed to fabricate geometrically and aesthetically accurate dental articles from digital models.

Abstract: A coating head is constructed of a solvent feed mechanism connected to a forward side in a direction of movement of a coating solution feed mechanism, and a gas jet mechanism connected to a rearward side in the direction of movement. While moving the coating head relative to a substrate, a solvent is supplied onto the substrate from the solvent feed mechanism, then a coating solution is supplied onto a film of the solvent from the coating solution feed mechanism, and finally a gas is jetted to an uneven surface of the coating solution from the gas jet mechanism to smooth a thin film surface of the coating solution.

Abstract: A resist coating/developing apparatus includes: a resist film-forming unit configured to apply a resist onto a substrate to form thereon a resist film; a resist developing unit configured to develop the resist film after exposure to pattern the resist film; a solvent gas generator configured to generate a solvent gas containing a vapor of a solvent having a property of dissolving the resist film; a solvent gas conditioner connected to the solvent gas generator and configured to condition the solvent gas generated in the solvent gas generator; a processing chamber configured to house the substrate having thereon the resist film which has been developed and patterned in the resist developing unit, and connected to the solvent gas conditioner so that the solvent gas, which has been conditioned in the solvent gas conditioning section, is supplied to the substrate housed in the processing chamber; and an exhaust system connected to the processing chamber to evacuate the processing chamber to a reduced pressure.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided that include or use a chuck, an inkjet printhead, and a gas knife to form film layers on a substrate, which have uniform feature dimensions and which avoid pile-up of inkjet ink. In some systems, a gas movement device is used instead of a gas knife. The systems, apparatus, and methods can be used to print layers on a substrate, which are used in an organic light-emitting device.

Abstract: A pneumatic nozzle for roller coating is revealed. A workpiece to be coated is fixed on a rotating power source of a machine. A high-pressure pneumatic nozzle and a material supply nozzle, both corresponding to the workpiece, are arranged at the machine. The workpiece is driven to rotate by the rotating power source while the material supply nozzle applies coating material to the workpiece and the high-pressure pneumatic nozzle releases high pressure gas. The coating material attached on the surface of the workpiece is pushed by the high pressure gas and spread uniformly on the workpiece by rotating workpiece. Thereby the material is coated smoothly in a non-contact way and the thickness of the coating material is controlled in micron scale. This helps following manufacturing of three-dimensional microstructures on rolls for producing roll dies and increases the practical value.

Abstract: An exemplary spray apparatus includes a first nozzle assembly and a second nozzle assembly, which are parallel to each other. The first nozzle assembly includes a plurality of feed inlets and a feed outlet in communication with the feed inlets. The first nozzle assembly configured for spraying a liquid coating material on a substrate. The feed inlets are aligned along a first imaginary straight line. The second nozzle assembly includes a plurality of air inlets and an air outlet in communication with the air inlets. The second nozzle assembly is configured for spraying air with uniform air toward the liquid coating material applied on the substrate. The air inlets are aligned along a second imaginary straight line parallel with the first imaginary straight line.

Abstract: A device for applying active substances onto surfaces of medical implants, in particular stents, consists of a base station, and of an exchangeable cartridge which can be mounted on the latter. Provided on the cartridge there is a holder for the stents, and a nozzle for spraying the active substance onto the surface of the stent. Provided on the base station there is a drive unit via which the holder and the nozzle are moved relative to one another.

Abstract: A contact nozzle for coating an elastic strand with an adhesive. Air is discharged at the adhesive in contact with the strand, causing the adhesive to spread around the periphery of the strand. The air assists with release of the adhesive from the nozzle and also cleans the nozzle to discourage adhesive build-up on the nozzle.

Abstract: A gas wiping apparatus for use in coating a molten metal onto a steel strip. In the apparatus, a chamber, to which a high pressure gas is supplied, defines a multistage uniform pressure space. A lip support unit is associated with a front of the chamber to allow the high pressure gas to flow therethrough, the lip support unit supporting the apparatus against load. Upper and lower lips are associated with a front of the lip support unit to cooperatively define an outlet. The upper lip adjusts a gap of a gas outlet cooperatively with the lower lip, and can be easily installed in a lip support unit while adjusting the gap of the gas outlet stably. Also, edge over coating (EOC) of the steel strip can be prevented without an additional auxiliary nozzle.

Abstract: A gas wiping apparatus is a type of equipment for coating a molten metal onto a steel strip, in which the molten metal solution deposited on the steel strip is wiped to adjust a coating thickness. The gas wiping apparatus includes a body containing a high pressure gas and a multiple nozzle unit disposed at the body to eject the high pressure gas onto a surface of a moving coated steel strip. The surface of the coated steel strip passing through a hot dipping bath filled with the molten metal is wiped by a high speed gas jet. Here, the molten metal is prevented from splashing even at a high-speed and the steel strip can be adjusted in the coating thickness stably and uniformly.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for coating an entire surface of a building board without forming uncoated area, while conveying the building board, having: an application device for applying a coating material to the surface of the building board; a removal device for removing an excess coating material applied to the surface of the building board and forming a coating liquid film; and a pressure device for blowing air to the coating liquid film on the surface of the building board, wherein the pressure device is provided in a step posterior to a step that uses the removal device and has an air outlet which is wider than the building board and which covers the surface of the building board, and wherein the surface of the building board is applied with pressure of the atmospheric pressure or higher, while the building board is conveyed from the removable device to the pressure device.

Abstract: A method of reducing contamination generated by a hydrogen radical generator and deposited on an optical element of a lithographic apparatus includes passing molecular hydrogen over a first part of a metal filament of the hydrogen radical generator, the first part including a metal-oxide, when the temperature of the first part of the metal filament is at a reduction temperature less than or equal to an evaporation temperature of the metal-oxide.

Abstract: A liquid wiping apparatus that can eliminate the increase in the thickness of membranous liquid and defects in the surface quality resulting from the attachment of splash onto the surface of a metallic strip and can improve the productivity in a manner of accelerating the line speed is provided. The liquid wiping apparatus includes blade wipers for contacting with a molten metal having been attached onto the metallic strip 1 to mechanically wipe the molten metal. In the liquid wiping apparatus, a pressure applying unit 7 of the static pressure pad type using gas is installed at the outlet side of the blade wiper 6 in the strip running direction, and phase-mixed flow of gas/liquid 15 is produced in membranous liquid running between the blade wiper 6 and the strip 1.

Abstract: A gas wiping apparatus for use in coating a molten metal onto a steel strip. In the apparatus, a chamber, to which a high pressure gas is supplied, defines a multistage uniform pressure space. A lip support unit is associated with a front of the chamber to allow the high pressure gas to flow therethrough, the lip support unit supporting the apparatus against load. Upper and lower lips are associated with a front of the lip support unit to cooperatively define an outlet. The upper lip adjusts a gap of a gas outlet cooperatively with the lower lip, and can be easily installed in a lip support unit while adjusting the gap of the gas outlet stably. Also, edge over coating (EOC) of the steel strip can be prevented without an additional auxiliary nozzle.

Abstract: A device for coating surface portions of a board material with a liquid material. The device includes a wheel which transfers the coating material and compressed air which positions the coating material. A method for surface coating and a floorboard with a finished surface portion.

Abstract: Circular contact gaps are formed in the welding flux coating of a continuous welding electrode by locating the electrode in a fabrication duct having the same diameter as the flux coating. High pressure air is injected at evenly spaced position of the flux coating through two air injection air ports from 45 degree angles relative to the cross sectional diameter of the fabrication duct. Contact gaps are formed in alternate consecutive sections of the welding electrode in sequential consecutive steps in which a new section of the electrode is located in the fabrication duct in each sequential step.

Abstract: According one embodiment, a film forming apparatus includes a stage, a coating section, a vapor supply section, a blower section, and a controller. On the stage, an coating target is placed. The coating section applies a material to a predetermined region on the coating target placed on the stage to form a coating film. The vapor supply section generates solvent vapor capable of dissolving the coating film. The blower section blows the solvent vapor generated by the vapor supply section onto the coating film on the coating target placed on the stage. The controller controls an amount of the solvent vapor to be blown by the blower section so that: the coating film is dissolved; viscosity in a part of the coating film on a surface layer side is lower than that in a part thereof on the coating target side; and the viscosity in the part on the surface layer side and the viscosity of the coating target side take such values that prevent the coating film on the coating target from spreading.

Abstract: A substrate treatment apparatus which uniformly forms a fine resist pattern with a desired dimension within a plane of a substrate is disclosed. In a solvent vapor supply unit, a solvent vapor discharge nozzle is provided which can discharge a solvent vapor for swelling a resist pattern while moving above the front surface of a wafer. The wafer for which developing treatment has been finished and on which a resist pattern has been formed is carried into the solvent vapor supply unit, and the solvent vapor discharge nozzle is moved above the front surface of the wafer, so that the solvent vapor discharge nozzle supplies the solvent vapor onto the front surface of the wafer. This uniformly supplies a predetermined amount of solvent vapor to the resist pattern on the front surface of the wafer. As a result, the solvent vapor causes the resist pattern to evenly swell by a predetermined dimension, so that a resist pattern with a desired dimension is finally uniformly formed within the plane of the wafer.

Abstract: Apparatuses and processes for maskless deposition of electronic and biological materials. The process is capable of direct deposition of features with linewidths varying from the micron range up to a fraction of a millimeter, and may be used to deposit features on substrates with damage thresholds near 100° C. Deposition and subsequent processing may be carried out under ambient conditions, eliminating the need for a vacuum atmosphere. The process may also be performed in an inert gas environment. Deposition of and subsequent laser post processing produces linewidths as low as 1 micron, with sub-micron edge definition. The apparatus nozzle has a large working distance—the orifice to substrate distance may be several millimeters—and direct write onto non-planar surfaces is possible.

Abstract: A method for producing at least one functional layer on at least one region of a surface of a semiconductor component by applying a liquid to at least the one region, where the functional layer has a layer thickness d1 and the liquid required for forming the functional layer having the thickness d1 has a layer thickness d2. In order that functional layers having a desired thin and uniform thickness are produced in a reproducible manner, it is proposed that the liquid is applied to the at least one region of the surface in excess with a layer thickness d3 where d3>d2 and that subsequently, either with the semiconductor component moved in translational fashion or with the semiconductor component arranged in stationary fashion, excess liquid is removed from the surface in a contactless manner to an extent such that the liquid layer has the thickness d2 or approximately the thickness d2.

Abstract: In a liquid processing apparatus for forming a coating film on a polygonal substrate by spin coating in an ambient with a descending clean air flow, a spin chuck includes a support plate for substantially horizontally supporting the substrate thereon. Air flow control members are provided on the spin chuck such that the air flow control member being disposed adjacent to a periphery of the polygonal substrate supported on the spin chuck, wherein the air flow control member is not provided near corner portions of the substrate supported on the spin chuck. The liquid processing apparatus may includes an air flow regulation ring which is provided with an air inlet having an opening surrounding an outer periphery of the air flow control member, wherein the air inlet communicates with the exhaust unit.

Abstract: A coating device for coating a medical device with a drug-eluting material uses an in-process drying station between coats to improve a drug release profile. The drying station includes a heat nozzle configured for applying a uniform drying gas. A coating process using the dryer includes a closed-loop control for the gas between drying steps and an improved nozzle for producing more consistent spray patterns.

Abstract: To produce a ceramic foam-filled structural sandwich panel, a coating of a pre-ceramic slurry is applied on a preform. The preform includes a foam template sandwiched between a plurality of panels. In addition, the coating is cured to the preform, the preform is modified, and the coating is converted to a ceramic.

Abstract: A substrate treatment apparatus which uniformly forms a fine resist pattern with a desired dimension within a plane of a substrate is disclosed. In a solvent vapor supply unit, a solvent vapor discharge nozzle is provided which can discharge a solvent vapor for swelling a resist pattern while moving above the front surface of a wafer. The wafer for which developing treatment has been finished and on which a resist pattern has been formed is carried into the solvent vapor supply unit, and the solvent vapor discharge nozzle is moved above the front surface of the wafer, so that the solvent vapor discharge nozzle supplies the solvent vapor onto the front surface of the wafer. This uniformly supplies a predetermined amount of solvent vapor to the resist pattern on the front surface of the wafer. As a result, the solvent vapor causes the resist pattern to evenly swell by a predetermined dimension, so that a resist pattern with a desired dimension is finally uniformly formed within the plane of the wafer.

Abstract: In a gas wiping apparatus which blows gas through a wiping nozzle onto front and rear surfaces of a steel plate going out from a molten metal coating pot and running upward and which thereby controls a deposit mass, the wiping nozzle is separated into upper and lower lips, blocking faces partially closing a gas supply channel are formed in the upper and lower lips at vertically different positions on the opposite sides from each other in a gas outlet width direction, and the upper and lower lips are provided in such a manner as to be movable in a width direction of the steel plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the coating of a substrate, in particular of a circuit board, with a material application device for applying a coating material and with a gas supplying device for the supply of a gaseous medium, the material application device having an inner tubular element, the gas supply device having an outer tubular element which is arranged coaxially to the inner tubular element and surrounds the latter, so as to form between the outer and the inner tubular element a gas supply duct which has an annular orifice at one end, the supply duct being configured so that the gaseous medium flows out, parallel to the coating material, through the annular orifice, in order, when it impinges on the substrate, to displace the applied coating material and thereby distribute it over the area. The apparatus is distinguished in that the material application device has a jet valve which, in a first operating mode, carries out a jetted supply of material into the inner tubular element.

Abstract: A air jet source is used in conjunction with a micro-extrusion printhead assembly in a micro-extrusion system to bias extruded material onto a target substrate. The printhead assembly utilizes paste valves or other feed system to push/draw an extrusion material through dispensing orifices defined on an extrusion needle, nozzle or stacked plate printhead as the printhead assembly is moved over the substrate. The air jet source is positioned near the dispensing outlets, and directs a gas jet against the extruded material such that the extruded material is reliably biased against the target substrate. Multiple dispensing orifices are defined in a paste dispensing needle to improve starts and stops, as well as improving overall ink distribution. Two independently activated air sources and multiple air jet outlets are utilized to improve control over the quality of bus bars formed by the extruded material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for applying coatings to surfaces of substrates in the form of paper, cardboard, or plastic films, preferably for finishing printed materials. The apparatus comprises a coating unit for applying coating material in fluid form to the substrate surface, and a device for smoothing the still fluid film applied to the substrate surface by the coating unit, the device including a unit for generating a gas stream which is directed onto the substrate surface coated with the film, and which smoothes the film while at least partially removing interfering structures on the film surface such as depressions, elevations, and craters before the coating material cures.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a hot-dip metal coated steel strip configured to control the thickness of a coating metal by blowing a gas from wiping nozzles to a steel strip continuously drawn from a coating bath, the wiping nozzles being arranged above the coating bath and facing the respective surfaces of the steel strip, and including rectifying plates arranged on the respective sides of the steel strip located above submersed support rolls and below the surface of a molten metal while not being in contact with the steel strip and the submersed support rolls, each of the rectifying plates having a roll-covering portion and a steel-strip-facing portion, each of the roll-covering portions being arranged to cover ¼ or more of the periphery of a corresponding one of the submersed support rolls near to the molten metal surface, each of the steel-strip-facing portions arranged above a corresponding one of the submersed support rolls and facing the steel strip, and the steel-strip-facing portions of the rectifying p

Abstract: Cellulosic based cores used in manufacture of towel and tissue products can be effectively stripped of residual product with little damage to the core using a roll stripping air knife with a longitudinal air passageway having both primary discharge passages and interconnected auxiliary orifices, the auxiliary orifices are directed laterally away from the primary discharge direction and connect with a longitudinal exterior channel configured such that air flows inwardly through the auxiliary orifices when pressurized air is supplied to longitudinal air passageway and the primary discharge passages are unobstructed but outwardly when the primary discharge passages are obstructed so that the pressure achievable when the primary discharge passages are obstructed is within safety limits.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a steel tube are provided. The apparatus includes: a tube-forming device for forming a steel plate into a steel tube; a heat treatment device connected in-line to the tube-forming device to heat the steel tube to a high temperature; a pre-treatment device for annealing the steel tube and providing a reduction atmosphere; and a plating device including a pot for storing a SeAHLume alloy composed of aluminum and zinc in a molten state, a level block selectively inserted into the molten alloy to adjust a level of the molten alloy, and a plating part into which the molten alloy flows in response to insertion of the level block and through which the steel tube passes substantially vertically. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture a steel tube having a plated surface to improve its corrosion-resistance.

Abstract: Sandwiched structures for an optical disc, especially for Blu-ray discs, are disclosed. According to one exemplary structure, a substrate is sandwiched by two cover layers on both sides of a disc As a result, similar characteristics in material on both sides of the disc help sustain the shape and flatness of the disc. To provide the cover layers in uniform thickness, techniques for creating or producing such a cover layer are described. In one embodiment, a certain amount of the material in liquid form is dispensed onto a dispensing structure. After the dispensing structure is engaged to hold a disc, the dispensing structure and the disc as a whole unit is rotated at a predefined speed.

Abstract: A coating such as liquid milk chocolate is applied to articles such as confectionery bars. The bars are conveyed by conveyor under a curtain of liquid chocolate issuing through an outlet slot in a trough. A layer of air is caused to flow through the outlet slot in the trough so as to modify the flow characteristics of the curtain. The layer of air permits a curtain of even thickness to be achieved.

Abstract: A gas wiping apparatus is a type of equipment for coating a molten metal onto a steel strip, in which the molten metal solution deposited on the steel strip is wiped to adjust a coating thickness. The gas wiping apparatus includes a body containing a high pressure gas and a multiple nozzle unit disposed at the body to eject the high pressure gas onto a surface of a moving coated steel strip. The surface of the coated steel strip passing through a hot dipping bath filled with the molten metal is wiped by a high speed gas jet. Here, the molten metal is prevented from splashing even at a high-speed and the steel strip can be adjusted in the coating thickness stably and uniformly.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for coating an entire surface of a building board without forming uncoated area, while conveying the building board, having: an application device for applying a coating material to the surface of the building board; a removal device for removing an excess coating material applied to the surface of the building board and forming a coating liquid film; and a pressure device for blowing air to the coating liquid film on the surface of the building board, wherein the pressure device is provided in a step posterior to a step that uses the removal device and has an air outlet which is wider than the building board and which covers the surface of the building board, and wherein the surface of the building board is applied with pressure of the atmospheric pressure or higher, while the building board is conveyed from the removable device to the pressure device.

Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus includes a fluidizing container, a porous plate, a lower spray nozzle, a bag filter, an upper spray nozzle, a backwash nozzle, and a backwash nozzle elevator. The fluidizing container is formed in an inverted truncated conical cylindrical shape. The porous plate is provided so as to block a lower opening of the fluidizing container. The lower spray nozzle jets out air into the fluidizing container via the porous plate. The bag filter is provided at an upper opening of the fluidizing container. The upper spray nozzle sprays spray liquid downward. The backwash nozzle sweeps away powder particulates adhered to the bag filter by jetting out air from the outside of the bag filter toward the inside and is moved up and down by the backwash nozzle elevator. The fluidizing container may be vibrated by a vibrator.

Abstract: A method for applying a protective coating to a painted workpiece uses an application apparatus which discharges the protective coating as well as streams of compressed air for spreading the discharged protective coating on a surface of the workpiece. The protective coating is fed from an application nozzle unit to the workpiece. The protective coating is uniformly spread over the workpiece by streams of compressed air radiated thereat.

Abstract: The resist coating unit (COT) has a spin chuck (41) which holds the wafer to be supplied with a resist liquid, and a process cup (50) which accommodates the spin chuck (41) and exhaustes an atmosphere around the wafer W from a bottom thereof. The process cup (50) comprises a first cup (51) with an outer circumferential wall (61a), and an airflow control member (52) laid out close to the wafer W in the first cup (51) in such a manner as to surround the wafer W. The airflow control member (52) has a vertical cross section of an approximately rectangular shape defined by the upper ring portion (62a) having a cross section of an approximately triangular shape and protruding upward, and a lower ring portion (62b) having a cross section of an approximately triangular shape and protruding downward. An exhaust passage (55) for substantially exhausting the atmosphere around the wafer W is formed between the outer circumferential wall (61a) and the airflow control member (52).

Abstract: A system for forming a drug-polymer coated stent includes means for applying a polymeric coating onto at least a portion of a stent framework, means for drying the applied polymeric coating on the stent framework and means for directing a jet of heated gas towards excess coating portions of the dried polymeric coating that extend into apertures of the stent framework. The system also includes means for reflowing the polymeric coating with the directed jet of heated gas to remove the excess coating portions from the apertures of the stent framework.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling local flow along a slot jet with applications to airknives is disclosed. The airknife provides improved options for on-line control over coating thickness and edge build-up prevention. The gap of the slot nozzle of the airknife can remain constant while the outflow pattern is controlled by a series of preset throttle valves in combination with a single moving component, the multi-port aero-valve. This valve can be actuated locally or remotely, in rotation or translation, thereby changing gradually from a conventional uniform outflow to one which increases in velocity and mass flow rate along the airknife span to produce a bow effect. The valve can also change gradually from a conventional uniform outflow to one which increases in velocity, mass flow rate and outflow angle along the span to simulate bow effect in combination with fan-like outflow.

Abstract: A method for applying a water-based coating (53) to a painted workpiece (49) is provided. The method includes spraying water (51) from an application nozzle unit (10) to the workpiece (49), feeding the water-based coating (53) to the workpiece (49), and finally applying streams of compressed air onto the water-based coating (53) to spread uniformly the water-based coating (53).