Puck for cathodic arc coating with continuous groove to control arc

Abstract

A puck for providing a coating material in a cathodic arc coating system has a generally uniform depression formed at the outer periphery. The depression ensures that an arc from the coating apparatus will move uniformly about the outer periphery of the puck, such that a coating cloud will also be uniformly applied to parts to be coated.

1 . An electrode puck for use in a cathodic arc coating system comprising:
 a puck body having a generally cylindrical outer surface; and   a depression formed continuously about a periphery of said generally cylindrical outer surface, said depression being formed closer to one end of the puck body than a second end, said depression being on the puck prior to use of the puck within said cathodic arc coating system.   
     
     
         2 . A cathodic arc coating system comprising:
 a housing, and an electrode within the housing, electrical connections to both said electrode and said housing;   part holders to receive parts to be coated located about an axis of said electrode; and   a puck formed of a coating material, the electrode creating an arc about the puck, said puck having a generally continuous depression to assist the arc to move uniformly about an outer periphery of the puck, said depression being formed closer to one end of the puck body than a second end before said electrode initially creates the arc about the puck.   
     
     
         3 . The system as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said depression is already on the puck when the puck is initially placed in the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The system as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the puck and electrode provide a cathode.