• Stokes Vacuum Inc

Vacuum Metallizing System

The new vacuum metallizing system, utilises a smart distributed I/O control network. Developed using Allen Bradley RS Logix 5 and RS View as a control platform and PC based user interface, the controls are based on an Allen Bradley PLCS platform and use Allen Bradley flex I/O for the remote control points. As opposed to a conventional system, where each device is connected, debugged, disconnected, reconnected and de-bugged again prior to disassembly, shipment and re-assembly at the customer's facility, the use of distributed I/O control eliminates 60% of this labor since most of the field located devices are never disconnected for shipment. The new system is designed for rapid pump down using Stokes direct drive, canned motor blower systems. The blowers operate from atmospheric pressure to boost pumping speed during initial pump down by up to 800% above a conventional system. A redesigned manifold system helps take advantage of the improved pumping capacity.