Adapting the Jubilee Robot for Automated Dip Coating

Dip coating is a widely used technique for applying uniform thin films onto substrates, especially in the fields of materials science, chemistry, and engineering. It is commonly employed to deposit coatings from colloidal suspensions, which can be tailored for various applications, such as creating functional surfaces or modifying material properties. However, the dip coating process is time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring precise control over parameters like immersion speed, withdrawal rate, and drying time to achieve consistent and reproducible results. For students and researchers, manually performing dip coating can be inefficient, leading to variability in outcomes and limited throughput.
To overcome these challenges, the Jubilee multi-tool motion platform was adapted for automating the dip coating process. Custom jigs and fixtures were designed to outfit the Jubilee for controlled immersion and withdrawal, enabling the precise application of thin films from colloidal solutions. The platform's integration of a camera inspection system allows for real-time monitoring of coated surfaces, ensuring uniformity and immediate detection of any irregularities. This automation reduces the time and effort required for sample preparation while significantly improving the reliability and consistency of the coating process.
Automating dip coating with the Jubilee platform not only streamlines laboratory workflows but also accelerates the discovery of optimized materials and process control techniques. By enabling precise control over coating parameters and providing immediate feedback on sample quality, the system facilitates high-throughput experimentation and rapid iteration of experimental conditions. This capability is especially valuable for advancing the study of colloidal systems, where small changes in process parameters can significantly affect material properties.
This work demonstrates the advantages of using the Jubilee for automated dip coating, emphasizing its ability to enhance reproducibility, save time, and boost experimental throughput. The platform's customization with specialized jigs and in-situ inspection capabilities makes it an effective tool for scientific research and education, with broader implications for accelerating the development of advanced materials and process optimization.