Autonomous, versatile and cost-efficient in-situ material characterization
- Roll-to-roll and sheet-to-sheet coating modes
- Coating width from 1 mm to 50 mm
- Designed for both rigid and flexible substrates
In addition to that...
- Non-contact coating with µm precision
- Uniform dry film thickness from nm to µm
- Microporous vacuum substrate holder, interchangeable and tailored to your needs
- Self-cleaning slot-die head system
- Integrated pump with software-controlled wet film thickness
- Automated coating via intuitive GUI, with remote access from PC or tablet
- Designed for fluids up to 20,000 cP
- Remote support & troubleshooting
System overview
The FOM photonR2R epitomizes the compactness, control, functionality, and versatility of slot-die coating machinery in thin-film research. It facilitates high-throughput and in-situ studies at various synchrotron beamlines and laboratories. Its compact size makes it suitable for fume hood use and can easily move around.
All components, software, and features are optimized for remote control, allowing you to collect more data faster and more efficiently. Offering unparalleled versatility, precision, and process reproducibility, the FOM photonR2R is ideal for a wide range of lab-scale materials and coating processes relevant to both industry and academia.
Datasheet
All technical data for the FOM photonR2R consolidated in an easy overview.
Specifications
| Format | Roll-to-roll and sheet-to-sheet |
| Coating width | 1 mm to 50 mm |
| Coating length | Up to 15,000 mm (flexible substrate) |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 650 × 160 × 550 mm |
| Weight | 22 kg |
| Slot-die compatibility | FOM SD 25 and FOM SD 50 |
| Slot-die head heating | Up to 80 °C |
| Substrate holder heating | Up to 200 °C |
| Software | FOM coating software |
| Configuration | Options available |
Slot-die coating at the beamline
Built for the beamline
At 22 kg with an extremely low profile, FOM photonR2R installs in most beamlines in a short time and moves between the beamline and the fume hood without disassembly. Samples can be prepared in the lab and coated in situ during measurement, so film formation is observed as it happens rather than reconstructed afterward.
Two coating modes, one tool
FOM photonR2R runs both roll-to-roll and sheet-to-sheet — the only machine in the FOM range to offer true sheet-to-sheet coating. Each mode answers a different experimental problem. Coating continuously onto a roll moves fresh material through the beam and avoids beam damage. Coating a single portion of film and moving it under the beam lets you monitor the same area of the same material as it evolves.
Run the experiment from the control room
Every component and software feature is built for remote operation. The coater is accessed from a PC or tablet with no local software installation, and fully motorized x-z positioning with integrated PLC control means the machine stays in the hutch while you stay at the controls — which matters when beam time is the constraint.
Autonomous time-evolution data
Automatic ink dispensing and switching, a self-cleaning slot-die head, and an interchangeable chuck let the tool run a sequence of coatings without intervention between them. Combined with an integrated syringe pump from 1 ml to 300 ml for software-controlled wet film thickness, that turns limited access time into a longer run of usable time-evolution data.
Smart features and high performance
A closer look at FOM photonR2R — the coating station, the interchangeable substrate holder, and the compact frame that moves from fume hood to beamline.
Every coating project starts with a material and a substrate. Tell us about yours and our coating experts will work through the process with you — from first trials in the lab to a route toward roll-to-roll.
Let our coating experts guide you
Frequently asked questions
What coating width and speed does the FOM photonR2R support?
FOM photonR2R coats widths from 1 mm to 50 mm at speeds from 0.01 to 5.0 m/min, with coating lengths up to 15,000 mm on flexible substrates. Positioning is fully motorized on the x and z axes under integrated PLC control.
Which slot-die heads fit the FOM photonR2R?
FOM photonR2R is compatible with the FOM SD 25 and FOM SD 50 slot-die heads. The slot-die head system is self-cleaning, and head heating runs up to 80 °C.
What substrates does the FOM photonR2R handle?
Both rigid and flexible substrates. The standard substrate holder measures 115 × 155 mm with a microporous vacuum area of 85 × 125 mm, and custom substrate holders are available on request. Substrate holder heating runs up to 200 °C, and the machine is designed for fluids up to 20,000 cP.
What does the FOM photonR2R need to be installed?
The machine itself measures 650 × 160 × 550 mm (L × W × H) and weighs 22 kg, with 200 mm of recommended cable clearance. It ships with a separate electrical panel measuring 1000 × 300 × 950 mm and weighing 90 kg, in powder-coated carbon steel, connected by a 2-meter cable as standard. Power is single-phase 230 V AC at 50/60 Hz with a maximum current of 24 A, a maximum fuse size of 16 A, and a type B RCD. Compressed air runs at 6–8 bar consuming 3.5 NL/s, clean, dry and non-lubricated to ISO 8573-1:2010 Class 1.2.3 or better, via a Ø8 mm push-fit connection. An Ethernet connection over RJ45 is required.
How is the FOM photonR2R dried?
FOM photonR2R has no oven system. Drying is handled by substrate holder heating up to 200 °C, with an IR drying system and an air knife system available as options. An ionizing bar is also available.
Can the FOM photonR2R be operated remotely?
Yes. All components, software, and features are optimized for remote control. The coater is accessed from a PC or tablet with no local software installation required, and coating protocols are stored locally on the machine.
Does the FOM photonR2R meet European machine safety standards?
FOM photonR2R is built to EN 60204-1 and ISO 13849-1 (CE), complies with Directive 2006/42/EC Annex II B, and its electrical panel is built to UL508A.