Sputtering, or PVD, is the process whereby atoms are ejected from a source material that is to be deposited on a substrate. This process is done under a vacuum using an ultra-pure inert gas so impurities are nearly nonexistent. It yields very pure uniform coatings of the source material being deposited.
Sputtering is a core process for many industries, including semiconductor, solar, hard disk drive, optical and CD. The environmentally hazardous chemicals and byproducts associated with more conventional plating processes are not present with sputtering, which makes it a very “green” manufacturing process.
Recently, HSI Sensing added a state-of-the-art sputtering system and dedicated a clean room to its manufacturing facility. This new capability will allow HSI to apply all the advantages of sputtering to its offering of reed switch contacts. It will provide ultra-pure contact surfaces, enhanced performance and exceptional thickness control and uniformity.
Sputtering at HSI Sensing opens the doors for new contact materials and configurations which cannot be achieved by conventional plating processes. No matter what your switch contact requirement, plated or sputtered, HSI Sensing has the capability and knowledge to meet your needs.