H. Gabel, J. A. Henness, R. Tapphorn, Inovati, Santa Barbara, CA
Inovati has developed several models of the Kinetic Metallization equipment to meet the application needs of various customers. The original KM-Coating Development System (KM-CDS™) was introduced primarily as a turn-key research tool to allow academia, government, and industrial researchers the opportunity to investigate and develop unique coatings using the Kinetic Metallization process. Now Inovati has developed a KM-Production Coating System (KM-PCS™) that will support a variety of coating production requirements. The KM-PCS™ equipped with dual powder Fluidizing Units and Dual KM Gun Assemblies allows for continuous deposition of a single coating type, or simultaneous dual layer coatings, or functionally graded coatings with variable powder mixing capabilities. The dual system permits continuous operation of a production unit with multiple KM nozzles or the capability of fluidizing of two different powders into a single KM nozzle. Operation with a variety of gases and gas mixtures under process control is another feature of this new system. Additionally, Inovati has just released a KM-Mobile Coating System (KM-MCS™) with a hand holdable KM Gun Assembly that allows repairs with a wide range of powder formulations suitable for Kinetic Metallization. Benefits and features of these systems along with potential applications will be presented.
Summary: Two new implementations of Kinetic Metallization™ equipment are introduced in this paper. This new equipment is designed to meet the needs of the production community including OEMs, job shops, and DOD repair and refurbishment facilities. The KM-PCS™, Production Coating System, equipped with dual powder Fluidizing Units and Dual KM Gun Assemblies allows for continuous deposition of a single coating type, or simultaneous dual layer coatings, or functionally graded coatings with variable powder mixing capabilities.
The KM-MCS™, Mobile Coating System, is equipped with a hand holdable KM Gun Assembly and is designed to be readily deployed at a variety of work sites with minimal setup.
Both new systems are derived from the highly successful KM-CDS™, Coating Development System, now in use in Japan, China, Australia, Canada, and the United States of America.