Our full range of plasma surface treatment products
Nimbus
Nimbus
The Nimbus is a dual nozzle atmospheric plasma treatment system ideally suited to surface activation, cleaning and modification of a wide range of materials including polymers, metals, glass and ceramics.
The Nimbus is extremely simple to operate via the front panel soft-keypad and can also be interfaced with external control equipment using the rear panel Sub-D connector providing a variety of I/O control inputs and status read-back to ensure seamless operation with automation lines or robot cells.
The Nimbus operates from a standard single-phase electrical outlet and require only compressed air for operation.
The compact controller features an interlocked airflow regulation unit as standard so that no ancillary equipment is required.
Atmospheric Plasma Advantages
Atmospheric plasma systems address a range of specific treatments & material treatments including; plasma cleaning, plasma surface activation to improve adhesion, PEEK & other engineering polymers, PCBs, metals, ceramics and glass.
Compact benchtop or rack-mount unit
User-friendly soft-key interface
I/O subsystem for line integration
Integrated gas monitoring & control
Precise & repeatable
Treatment of polymers, glass, ceramics, metals
Fast, localised atmospheric plasma pre-treatment of parts prior to bonding
Ultra-fine atmospheric plasma cleaning
Surface activation with atmospheric plasma
Highest quality treatments
Localised treatments
Very low operation cost & easy integration with automated lines
The compact control unit can be operated manually or interfaced with existing control equipment. Plasma start and stop signals are supplied via a rear panel Sub-D connector. All important parameters are available on the same connector for read-back and monitoring.
Typical Process Results
Images show increased wettability on metal and polymer samples following plasma treatment.
Plasma Environment
Atmospheric Plasma Applicators
The Nimbus has dual plasma heads operating from the same single controller and doesn't require any additional bulky transformers. This can be useful for treating multiple areas, larger areas or in place of multiple line passes.
Our proprietary, high stability plasma power generator allows for high line speeds when operated as part of a continuous processing facility.
The functionality of the Cirrus and Nimbus has been extended by the introduction of three new application-specific nozzle attachments. These are user-replaceable and can be supplied with a new system order or for retro-fitting to an existing system.
Mode
The ‘Mode’ nozzle is standard and suits 95% of all plasma pre-treatment applications
Finite
Our ‘Finite’ nozzle is best suited to confined areas or where a longer reach is needed, for example when treating channels or spaces between components.
Scope
The ‘Scope’ nozzle produces a ‘curtain plume’ suitable for wider treatment areas and where multiple passes are not practical.
Benefits
Versatility
The Nimbus produces dual 10-12mm diameter jets of reactive plasma species which are highly efficient at removing hydrocarbon surface contamination and rendering a surface hydrophilic and suitable for subsequent processing, e.g. bonding, printing etc.
Repeatable and Reliable
The Nimbus system only needs a compressed air supply for operation. Plasma parameters and gas delivery are continuously monitored and controlled to deliver the same result irrespective of changes in gas delivery characteristics. The unit features a number of electrical and compressed air safety interlocks that ensure long term, trouble-free operation.
Robot
Robot Motion Automated System
The atmospheric systems can be supplied integrated with a 3-axis robot with up to 500mm by 500mm working area and 150mm of Z-axis movement. Includes stop/start box and teach pendant. manuals on CD, mains lead, I/O cable between robot and plasma unit.
Enclosure optional/cart-mounted:
The robot is available in either desktop or cart-mounted versions with optional guard frame and safety light curtain interlock.
200mm to 500mm XY travel options
255 stored programs
Up to 30,000 data points
16 I/O channels
Safety light curtain protection
Bench or cart-mounted
Specifications
Technical Specifications
Nimbus Atmospheric Plasma Treatment Systems
CONTROLLER
Dimensions
W 450mm x H 180mm x L 500mm (+50mm on rear for cables)
Weight
~10kg
PLASMA NOZZLE
Connection
3m flexible umbilical to controller rear
Weight
~0.5kg
Dimensions
Ø 32mm x L 210mm
Treatment width
~10-12mm with standard applicator "mode" nozzle
Gas/HV supply tube
PVC-protection conduit Ø 19mm Length: 3m Bend radius: min. 100mm
PLASMA POWER SUPPLY
Power
300W, nominal
Frequency
40 kHz
Interface
Front panel - soft key pad
Control
Manual mode with plasma switch from the front panel or remote mode through SUB-D connector on the rear panel (plasma on/off).
Automatic process control by plasma current and gas pressure control (on-board as standard).
Inputs/Outputs
Inputs (24V)
Remote Interlock Plasma ON Plasma OFF
Outputs (Normally Open Contacts)
System Ready HV ON
SERVICES
Electrical
110-250AC, 50-60Hz, 450 VA (including pump), fused 6.1 A T
Gas connection
Dry and oil-free compressed air; 5 - 8 bar, approx. Gases 2000 l/h 6mm push-fit
Power cord
Suited to region
Compliance
CE ROHS - WEEE
NOZZLE OPTIONS
Scope nozzle
~15-20mm treatment area
Finite nozzle
~8-10mm treatment area, for narrow channels
**Henniker strive for continuous improvement and specifications are subject to change without notice
Product Brochure
Cirrus & Nimbus Product Brochure
The Cirrus & Nimbus are, respectively, single and dual nozzle atmospheric plasma treatment systems ideally suited for integration into in-line processes to improve print or adhesive bonding.
Plasma Surface Activation Explained. The fourth in our series of videos about plasma treatment technology, this video explains how plasma surface activation works and the results you can achieve.
Atmospheric Plasma Torch
Atmospheric plasma torch for the local pretreatment (cleaning, surface activation) of different materials. In this case Automotive parts in an assembly line.
See what our customers have to say
"The technical team at Henniker are very knowledgeable and supportive and always approachable. I have found it a pleasure to work with them."
Simon Baxter - BAE Systems, MAI
"Henniker guided us to choose the most suitable plasma unit for our application, ensured an accelerated delivery time & guided us through the very easy setup. We obtained quality results with their unit within minutes of setup & consistent results thereafter. The support they have provided has been rapid and helpful."
Dr Ravi Desai - Making Lab, Francis Crick Institute
"Henniker provided our team with excellent service during the course of our work together, the plasma cleaner arrived quickly and was installed with ease, giving us visible results from the outset and confirming that we made the right decision in choosing a local UK manufacturer."
Dr Panagiotis Manesiotis BSc MRSC - Queen’s University Belfast
"Our customers and operations demand reliability at every level and were a key factor in our decision to choose a UK based manufacturer of plasma treatment equipment."
Tom Doak - Trak Microwave
"Henniker’s after sales support is first class. They have always been extremely responsive if we have ever had need to call on them."
Steve Rackham - Teledyne
"Henniker’s plasma systems have delivered tangible benefits to us right from day one. The team there are very easy to work with."
Ian Bruce - Coopervision
"Henniker really stood out, both in their product range and technical knowledge. They are a great company to work with."
Karthik Nair - University of Bradford
"We are very impressed with the ease of use and reliability of our plasma unit and were producing results within minutes of setting it up."
Dr Neil Wilson - Warwick University
"Our collaborative work with the team at Henniker was a very positive experience and one that we look forward to developing further."
Ewen Kellar - TWI
"Henniker provided a tailored product to match our exact requirements. They are a pleasure to work with."
Dr Will Shu - Heriot Watt University
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Henniker Plasma 3 Berkeley Court, Manor Park, Runcorn, WA7 1TQ, UK
