Sydney-based Precision Mechatronics has acquired Surfx Technologies, a US company offering high-speed atmospheric plasma technology for treating microelectro-mechanical systems (MEMS), microfluidics, semiconductors, solar cells, medical devices, sensors, plastics and composites.
Surfx Technologies will become a part of Precision Mechatronics as per an agreement signed in October 2011. Precision Mechatronics claims this represents a significant step towards international growth, opening markets in the US and SE Asia.
Precision Mechatronics says the acquisition gives it a competitive edge in clean atmospheric plasma technology. It will push sales of the Atomflo Plasma Unit, which is a portable devices which treats parts with a powerful gas beam in seconds.
The company will also offer substantial backup for system integration and process engineering.
Surfx Technologies has over 25 years of experience in plasma and surface chemistry and is headed by Professor Robert Hicks of UCLA (University of California, LA), who will also be a leader within the new team. The company is now looking to target manufacturing companies, government agencies and end-users.
Existing customers for Atomflo plasma systems include renowned companies within the aerospace industry, who apply the technology for composite material surface treatments.
The technology provided by Surfx is applicable to many different industries outside of semiconductors and medical devices. It is also very safe, as the plasma units provide a beam of plasma for materials processing at atmospheric pressure and low temperatures. The clean reactive gas flows over and through micro-structured materials, uniformly treating surfaces without any damage.