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Architectural and Anti-Reflective Glasses

The first large scale commercial use of rotary magnetron sputtering technology was in the field of large area glass coating. First introduced by Airco Coating Technologies in the late 1980’s, rotary magnetrons reliability has improved by an order of magnitude since their introduction. Today there are tens of thousands of rotary magnetron cathodes that have been sold into the large area glass coating fields.

When depositing large area coatings, reliability is key.  Coating campaigns in these types of coaters can last from one week to over one month between vents.  The component lifetimes in rotary magnetrons are very well know making preventative maintenance an easy way to maximize reliability.  Through advancements in design and quality control, some rotary magnetrons can be maintained onsite by the customer for many years of trouble-free operation.

Rotary magnetron technology is often used for reactive sputtering processes such as silicon nitride, silicon dioxide, niobium pentoxide, and titanium dioxide due to its improved arc rates and higher achievable power densities as compared to planar targets.  For metallic layers, the primary benefit comes from higher material utilization.  For both cases, rotary magnetron sputtering reduces the overall cost of production while at the same time improving the quality.
 


 

Solar Technology

Rotary magnetron sputtering technology is used in all major forms of solar cell technology. 

Silicon Based technologies

Silicon based technologies were the first commercially developed photovoltaic products and still maintain a dominant market share today.  Though other processes are used for the production of the silicon, sputtering is widely used to produce back reflector layer (predominantly aluminum) and front contacts made from transparent conducting oxides (TCO).  TCO materials reap substantial benefits in performance, economics, and quality from the use of rotary magnetrons.

CIGS and CdTe

Known collectively as “thin film solar” technology, these two types are generally used on flexible substrates such as thin stainless steel, though rigid substrates such as glass are still used.

In addition to the traditional aluminum and TCO coatings, these technologies employ additional sputtered layers such as molybdenum and intrinsic zinc oxide. The increased cost of molybdenum (relative to aluminum) has led most major manufacturers to choose rotary magnetron technology due to its improved material utilization. Intrinsic zinc oxide can be produced using mid-frequency AC sputtering at much higher rates than the traditional RF technology used with planar cathodes.

Solar Thermal

Solar thermal technology uses the heat of the sun to increase the temperature of a liquid such as water or oil.  The heat from this technology is then used directly (such as with solar water heaters) or indirectly to generate electricity.

Typically, rotary magnetron sputtering is used to generate anti-reflective coatings (to allow to solar energy to pass through protective coverings (such as glass), reflective coatings for solar collectors, or in absorbing coatings which allow the maximum capture of solar radiation.  These absorber coatings can be made from Molybdenum and Al2O3.  Al2O3 sputtering by rotary magnetrons is advantageous due to the high power densities (and therefore deposition rates) and low arc rates resulting from the elimination of redeposited oxide on the target surface.
 


 

Display and Web Coating

Rotary magnetron technology is broadly used in display manufacturing, both for rigid and flexible display applications.

TFT-LCD technology makes use of TCO materials (predominantly ITO) to provide the transparent electrode on the front side of the LCD pixel.  Additional materials, such as silicon dioxide are used as insulating, adhesion, and encapsulating layers in the overall TFT stack.  Rotary ITO has substantial economic benefits over planar ITO where costs of production (equipment, material, energy) can be reduced by over one half as compared to planar ITO while at the same time improving film quality.

The same benefits hold true for flexible substrates.  In additional to the cost savings and quality improvements, temperature sensitive substrates reap additional benefits from rotary cathode technology.  Due to the more efficient cooling dynamics of the rotary cathode, users will be able to coat films at higher rates, while imparting less heat to the substrate.

 

Sputtering Components:

Products

SCI provides rotatable cathodes complete e-CathodeTM lid systems, and magnetics for systems of any width.

Sputtering Components:

About Us

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Architectural
Solar

Facilities

Founded in 2001, Sputtering Components operates a manufacturing facility located in Owatonna, Minnesota.  SCI provides rotatable cathodesend blocks, complete e-cathodeTM lid systems, and magnetics for coating systems of any width. SCI’s engineers use SolidWorks for 3D modeling to ensure optimal fit.  Models can be shared with the customer and integrated into machine drawings.
 

Quality

We use advanced software to model magnetic fields and low pressure gas flow dynamics.  Gas manifolds modeled are optimized using molecular and transition flow analysis software.

Target tubes and other mechanical parts are designed for long-term operation by reducing the stress concentrations to safe levels.  The magnetics are modeled in a 3D FEA program to maximize utilization and uniformity while reducing the dead bands at the end of the targets.  SCI’s quality control department is in a climate-controlled environment.  We employ a coordinate measuring machine (CMM), which allows exact measurement of manufactured parts to accuracies of 0.0003 inches.

Both mechanical parts and magnetics are quality checked at the time of production.
 

Manufacturing

SCI has the most modern machining equipment, using the latest technology available.  By manufacturing in-house, we have direct control over our quality and our schedule. Our manufacturing operation uses high precision CNC machining centers to fulfill a variety of needs.  Our capabilities include turning parts from 0.1” up to 30” diameter and milling parts from 0.1” up to 60”.  All equipment is regularly maintained and calibrated to ensure 100% repeatability and accuracy.

All lid systems are programmed by trained personnel and fully tested prior to shipping. Components are cleaned and assembled following a detailed job packet to ensure each order is built according to the customer requirements.  Final assemblies are bagged and packed to ensure they arrive safely at the customer site.
 

Testing/Research and Development

Using our in-house test chamber, SCI can perform quick-turn prototyping and test customized results.  Customers can evaluate their process in SCI’s test system to verify key parameters such as deposition rate, process stability, and film properties.
 

Service and Support

Our staff walks with the customer through every step of the process to ensure a quality product that meets their needs. We provide service and support worldwide through our in-house service technicians and our conveniently located sales and service representatives.  Click here to find a representative near you.

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SCI provides rotatable cathodes, complete e-CathodeTM lid systems, and magnetics for systems of any width.

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It's the goal of SCI to provide our customers with concise
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Careers

Be a part of the SCI team!

Sputtering Components, Inc. is located in Owatonna, Minnesota – one hour south of Minneapolis.  We are a leading supplier of rotary magnetron sputtering cathodes and related equipment.

We currently have an opening for the following position:

International Sales Manager – Rotary Cathodes

This job is located in Owatonna, MN – one hour south of Minneapolis.  We are seeking an international sales manager to help support our current growth. 

Principal Job Duties

  • Generate new business and ensure growth of existing accounts within existing markets
  • Develop new markets for company products within the assigned countries
  • Achieve sales and margin goals
  • Develop and deliver proposals to assigned customers
  • Provide basic technical training to clients and distributors and communicate customer feedback
  • Manage, support, and grow the international sales rep and distributor network
  • Provide regular sales forecasts to leadership

Basic Requirements

  • 4-year degree in related field
  • 10 years “hands-on” work experience in a related industry; vacuum equipment, architectural glass, solar, or display
  • Working knowledge of magnetron cathodes, rotary cathodes preferred
  • 5 or more years demonstrated success in direct, customer facing sales
  • Best in class written and verbal communications skills
  • Ability to make effective presentations to small and large groups
  • Ability to work within and lead effective teams
  • Knowledge of relevant market areas; vacuum equipment, architectural glass, solar, and display
  • Ability to travel up to 35%

Beneficial, but not required

  • Preferred candidate would speak a foreign language; Chinese or German preferred

Please send your resume to hr@sputteringcomponents.com

Sputtering Components:

Contact Us

SCI's global distribution and technical support system provides
you with outstanding sales and service.

Sputtering Components, Inc. is pleased to provide sales and support to customers throughout the world.  Our staff walks with the customer through every step of the process to ensure a quality product that meets their needs.  We provide service and support worldwide through our in-house service technicians and our conveniently located sales and service representatives.

United States

SALES:
Sarah Williams
North American Sales Manager

Sputtering Components, Inc
5625 Brisa Street, Suite B.
Livermore, California, 94550  USA

Phone: (925) 245-9626
Fax: (925) 245-9629
Cell: (415) 418-0883

Email:  sarahw@sputteringcomponents.com
www.sputteringcomponents.com

 

SERVICE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT:
375 Alexander Drive
Owatonna, Minnesota, 55060 USA

Phone: (507) 455-9140
Fax: (507) 455-9148

 

China

Sputtering Components China
Rm 511, Kang Qiao Sunshine
Building No. 2581-2583
Hu Nan Road, Pu Dong
Shanghai, 201315 China (P.R.)
Phone:  021-50653078
Email: VincentW@sputteringcomponents.com
www.sputteringcomponents.cn

Europe

Rolf Schaefer:  Robeko
Ackerwiese 14
D-67728 Munchweiler, Germany
Phone:  +49 6302-609275
Email:  Schaefer.rolf@robeko.de
www.robeko.de

India

Inderjeet Singh:  SVEL
A-111/401, Eldeco Golf View
Complex Sector:  Omega-1
Greater Noida, UP (NCR), India
Pin:  2013206
Email:  info@mysvel.com

Italy

Massimo Gambini:  Sematrade Technologies
Via G. Verdi 18-b
Bereguardo – Pv 27021, Italy
Phone:  +39 0382-920738
www.sematrade.com

Japan

Tomoaki Higuchi:  Matsubo Corporation
33 Mori-bldg, 8-21 Toranomon
3-Chome, Minato-ku
Tokyo, 105-0001 Japan
Phone:  +03-5472-1722
Email:  higuchi70@matsubo.co.jp
www.matsubo.co.jp

South Korea

Jung-Hoon Yeom:  KCMC
#1207 U-Tower, 120 Heung Duk Joong Ahang-Ro, Gi Heung-Gu
Yong In-Si, Gyeonggi-Do,
468-825, South Korea
Phone:  82-31-719-7975
Fax: 82-31-627-5029
Mobile: 82-10-3519-7975
Email:  yjh7975@sputteringcomponents.com
www.kcmc.co

Taiwan

Jason Chen:  Y & J Tech
No. 96 Tahsiang St., Sanmin Li
Chungli City, 320 Taiwan R.O.C.
Phone:  +886-3-422-3851, Ext. 23
Cell: +886-931059794
Skype: jason.chen61
Email:  Jason.chen@yjtech.com.tw
Website: www.yjtech.com.tw

Jackie Lin: MOS Technology, Inc.
13F-6, No. 100, Sec 1
Jiafeng 11th Rd.,
Zhubei City
Hsinchu County 30273, Taiwan R.O.C.
Phone: +886-3-667-3868
Fax: +886-3-667-3689
Email: info@mostech.com.tw
Website: www.mostech.com.tw