Success Story: Surface research with Openair-Plasma in Switzerland
Plasmatreat GmbH, the German world market leader in atmospheric pressure plasma technology, has a branch in Switzerland since 2020. Here, the plasma experts support Swiss technology companies in the evaluation and implementation of plasma technology in industrial processes. Plasmatreat Schweiz AG also works closely with universities, institutes and government agencies. These include the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), which uses Openair-Plasma to modify plastic surfaces and bond them to other materials such as metal or glass, in order to develop new, efficient and environmentally friendly bonding, painting or coating processes for the manufacturing industry.
The Institute of Polymer Nanotechnology (INKA) at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) is researching various methods of modifying plastic surfaces, including pre-treatment with atmospheric pressure plasma technology. The institute’s activities aim to support the local industry, for example in sectors such as medical technology or jewelry and watchmaking. As an example, the treatment and coating of surfaces prior to bonding is investigated in a project. The goal is to use the versatile plasma technology to find solutions that avoid the use of wet primers, i.e. chemical adhesion promoters that are harmful to the environment.
Flexibly configurable plasma treatment unit supports research
For its research, the FHNW uses the standard production cell Plasmatreat PTU (Plasma Treatment Unit), which is designed for flexible automation of Openair-Plasma processes. It can be modularly equipped with different robots, movement and feed systems, static or moving plasma nozzles and much more. For the FHNW, the PTU was equipped with an industrial robot to handle the substrates to be treated. Depending on the application, the FHNW uses either static individual nozzles for precise, selective surface pre-treatment or rotating nozzles for wide area application. The PTU is used with the Openair-Plasma and PlasmaPlus applications developed by Plasmatreat. A Plasma Control Unit (PCU) with a variety of control and monitoring functions records and documents the various plasma parameters.
New dimensions in surface research
The innovative plasma system opens up a whole range of new possibilities for surface modification research at the institute. The FHNW also profits from Plasmatreat's extensive know-how and is in close contact with the German company, for example when it comes to questions about material combinations. Plasmatreat provides support with its extensive database.
Klaus Kresser, Managing Director of Plasmatreat Schweiz AG, emphasizes: "Our Plasmatreat PTU offers a decisive advantage in the industry-oriented research of the FHNW: it is not a test facility, but a 1:1 production system. This means that all processes carried out at the institute can be transferred directly to production using this standard production cell.
Prof. Dr. Sonja Neuhaus, head of the surface functionalization group at the Institute of Polymer Nanotechnology (INKA) at the FHNW, emphasizes that plasma technology will be used in many research projects in the future: "We are very satisfied, both with the plasma system itself and with the support from Plasmatreat. Atmospheric plasma technology opens a new dimension for precise modification of material surfaces, allowing us to control surface roughness, wettability and chemistry. The technology is fast, waste-free, resource-efficient and offers enormous potential for future innovations that will benefit both science and industry.
