Industry Applications | The Application of IO-Link Sensors in Vacuum Equipment

Vacuum coating technology, as an important process in modern industry, has broad applications in fields such as optoelectronics, photovoltaics, and building materials. This technology can form thin films with specific functions on the surface of materials, such as anti-reflection, conductive, and wear-resistant films, thereby improving the performance and service life of materials. To ensure the stability of the coating process and product quality, vacuum coating equipment places extremely high demands on the control of the production environment. In this context, SENTINEL's intelligent sensors, with their high precision and IO-Link functionality, have become key elements in enabling intelligent and automated control of vacuum coating equipment.

Key Technical Requirements for Vacuum Coating Equipment

In the operation of vacuum coating equipment, precise parameter control is critical to ensuring coating quality. The equipment needs to operate in a highly precise vacuum environment, and small fluctuations in parameters such as temperature and pressure during production may adversely affect the coating results. Therefore, the equipment must meet the following technical requirements:

• Pressure Control: The vacuum level in vacuum coating equipment must be maintained within an extremely precise range to ensure the uniformity and adhesion of the coating layer.


• Temperature Control: The temperature during the coating process directly affects the quality and performance of the film, and different materials have different temperature requirements, so strict monitoring and regulation of temperature are needed.


• Automation and Intelligence: To improve production efficiency and reduce human intervention, vacuum coating equipment needs to have automated control capabilities. This includes real-time monitoring of various parameters during the production process through sensors and automatic adjustments.

SENTINEL's Intelligent Sensors

SENTINEL's intelligent pressure and temperature sensors are designed to meet the high demands of vacuum coating equipment, integrating IO-Link functionality to provide technical support for intelligent control of the equipment. These sensors not only offer high precision and reliability but also significantly enhance production efficiency and stability through real-time data feedback and remote monitoring.

SEH Series Pressure Sensors

The SEH series of intelligent pressure sensors are designed for complex industrial environments and offer extremely high sensitivity and precision. With a measurement range of -1 to 600bar, these sensors can meet the precise monitoring requirements for different pressure conditions in vacuum coating equipment. Whether in low-pressure vacuum environments or under high-pressure conditions, the sensor ensures stable pressure monitoring.

The SEH series sensors are equipped with a large digital display and mirror display function, improving ease of installation. Additionally, the sensors feature a 304/316L stainless steel housing, offering strong corrosion resistance, and a 300° rotating installation function, making them easy to install in various working conditions.

TBH Series Temperature Sensors

The TBH series intelligent temperature sensors use platinum (Pt1000) material, providing excellent temperature measurement accuracy and long-term stability. The resistance of platinum is extremely stable as temperature changes, allowing the sensor to provide accurate temperature measurements over a wide range of temperatures. This is crucial for vacuum coating processes that require precise temperature control, ensuring uniformity in the coating layer and consistency in material performance.

The TBH series sensors support temperature monitoring range settings. Whether in high-temperature processes or low-temperature processes, these sensors maintain high-precision temperature feedback, reducing coating defects caused by temperature fluctuations.

IO-Link Functionality Advantages

SENTINEL's pressure and temperature sensors are equipped with IO-Link communication functionality, enabling efficient data interaction between these sensors and the equipment control system. IO-Link technology offers the following advantages:

• Digital Communication: IO-Link can convert the sensor's analog signal into a digital signal, improving signal transmission accuracy and anti-interference ability, ensuring data accuracy during transmission.


• Remote Configuration and Diagnostics: Users can remotely configure and monitor the sensors in real time via the IO-Link interface, obtaining device status and sensor operating parameters for quick fault diagnosis.


• Data Transmission and Predictive Maintenance: IO-Link not only transmits pressure and temperature data but also self-diagnostic information (such as operating hours, internal temperature, etc.), providing data support for preventive maintenance, thereby extending the lifespan of the equipment.


• Simplified Wiring: IO-Link uses standard three-wire wiring, significantly reducing installation complexity and costs while improving equipment integration efficiency.

Application Cases

In practical applications, SENTINEL's intelligent sensors have helped many vacuum coating equipment manufacturers achieve automation and intelligent control of their production lines. For example, a domestic vacuum equipment manufacturer significantly improved the stability and production efficiency of its vacuum coating production line by introducing SENTINEL's intelligent pressure and temperature sensors.

This manufacturer's vacuum coating equipment is mainly used for continuous coating production lines of optical glass and photovoltaic glass. During production, vacuum control and real-time monitoring of temperature and pressure are critical factors affecting the quality of the coating. The manufacturer uses imported master station equipment, but SENTINEL's intelligent sensors can perfectly integrate, enabling efficient data communication and automated control.

By integrating SENTINEL's pressure and temperature sensors, the manufacturer successfully upgraded the intelligence of its production line. The pressure sensors provided precise vacuum level monitoring, ensuring the stability of the coating environment, while the temperature sensors helped achieve more accurate temperature control during the process, reducing defects caused by temperature fluctuations. With IO-Link technology, these sensors transmitted real-time equipment data to the control center, enabling remote monitoring and quick adjustments.

Conclusion

SENTINEL's intelligent pressure and temperature sensors are widely used in vacuum coating equipment, not only enhancing the level of automation and intelligence of the equipment but also providing high-precision and reliable technical support for parameter control during the production process. By integrating IO-Link functionality, the sensors enable remote monitoring and data communication, providing a strong guarantee for the efficient operation of vacuum coating production lines.

Customer Support and Services

If you would like to learn more about SENTINEL products, please contact our sales team or call 022-83726972. You can also visit SENTINEL's official website at www.sentinel-china.com. The website provides comprehensive product information, selection manuals, CAD and Eplan files, as well as configuration files and tutorials to ensure users can easily access the information they need.

We have a professional technical team ready to provide customized customer support and efficient after-sales service to ensure that every user's benefits are maximized.