Coating material distribution using simultaneous rotation and vibration

Abstract

Provided are methods and systems for distributing coating materials using simultaneous vibration and rotation. Inertial forces generated during vibration and centrifugal forces generated during rotation redistribute the coating materials previously deposited on the surface resulting in uniform and/or conformal layers. The coated surfaces may have various shapes and degrees of roughness and may be referred to as complex surfaces. An initial layer of the coating material may be deposited on a complex surface of the part using dipping, spraying, spin coating, or other like techniques. The coating material is redistributed by simultaneous rotation and vibration of the part using specifically selected process conditions, such as orientation of vibrational and rotational axes relative to the part, rotational speeds, and vibrational frequencies and amplitudes. The redistribution operation may be repeated one or more times using different process conditions to ensure uniform distribution on different portions of the complex surfaces.