SCH High-Volume Conformal Coating Dipping Systems are engineered-to-order production systems designed for manufacturers requiring controlled dip coating at higher production volumes.

Rather than supplying a generic coating tank, SCH develops the complete process around the customer’s assemblies, coating materials, throughput and handling requirements. Systems can integrate programmable dipping, material management, PCB handling, curing and process control within a single production platform.

The objective is to create a repeatable coating process in which the key variables affecting film build, drainage and production flow can be controlled and validated for the intended application.

Why Use an Automated High-Volume Dip Coating System?

As production volumes increase, manual or simple batch dipping can become difficult to control consistently. PCB loading, immersion depth, dwell time, withdrawal speed, drainage, coating viscosity and curing all influence the finished coating process.

An engineered high-volume system allows these stages to be integrated into a defined production sequence, helping manufacturers achieve greater repeatability, controlled material handling and a scalable coating process.

Why Choose SCH High-Volume Dip Coating Systems?

Each system is developed around the actual PCB, coating material and production requirement rather than a fixed standard machine specification.

• ✅ High-Volume Processing – Automated handling can support continuous or indexed PCB production
• ✅ Programmable Motion Control – Immersion depth, dwell time, withdrawal speed and drainage sequence can be controlled to suit the process
• ✅ Material Management – Options for viscosity monitoring, material replenishment and coating circulation
• ✅ Temperature Management – Heating or conditioning options can be incorporated where required by the coating process
• ✅ Multiple Coating Chemistries – Systems can be engineered around solvent-based, silicone, acrylic, urethane, water-based and suitable UV-curable materials
• ✅ Production Integration – Options can include conveyors, PCB carriers, curing stages, barcode identification and process data collection
• ✅ Application-Specific Engineering – Extraction interfaces, material handling and other machine controls are defined according to the agreed process configuration

Tailored Turnkey Configurations

Each SCH high-volume dip coating system is built to order. The machine configuration is developed around the customer’s required throughput, PCB dimensions, coating chemistry, process sequence and factory integration requirements.

Typical system options include:

• Dip Tanks – Single or multiple coating tanks configured for the required process
• Programmable Motion – Controlled immersion, dwell, withdrawal and drainage profiles
• Inline Curing – Infrared, convection or suitable UV curing options where required
• Custom PCB Carriers & Loaders – Designed around PCB dimensions, weight, orientation and handling requirements
• Production Conveyors – Conveyor interfaces including SMEMA-compatible configurations where appropriate
• Viscosity & Material Control – Monitoring, replenishment and automatic solvent top-up options where applicable
• Material Temperature Control – Heating or cooling options where process stability requires them
• Process Control & Traceability – PLC or PC-based control, barcode identification and data logging options
• Extraction Interfaces – Machine extraction connections and enclosure arrangements engineered around the selected process

Learn more about conformal coating dipping process controls and conformal coating viscosity control in the SCH Knowledge Hub.

Site Extraction / Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)

High-volume dip coating systems are engineered around the coating materials and production process being used. Where solvent-based coatings or other materials requiring extraction are processed, the equipment will require integration with a suitable site extraction or Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) system.

SCH will define the relevant machine enclosure, extraction connection and equipment interface information as part of the system design.

The required airflow and overall site extraction performance should be determined by a competent extraction / LEV specialist based on the coating materials, process, equipment configuration, workplace and applicable health and safety requirements.

For UK installations, applicable HSE guidance, including HSG258 where relevant, should be considered. Outside the UK, customers should refer to the applicable national or local legislation, regulations and guidance.

Developing the Complete Dip Coating Process

A high-volume dipping line cannot be specified from throughput alone. Coating viscosity, solids content, PCB geometry, orientation, masking, immersion profile, withdrawal rate, drainage and cure conditions all affect the final result.

SCH can work with customers through evaluation, process development and equipment specification before the final production system is defined. This allows the machine design to be based on the validated coating process rather than treating process development as an activity after installation.

Conformal Coating Training Programme

Develop practical capability in inline and high-volume dip coating, including PCB handling, immersion profiles, withdrawal control, viscosity management, curing, masking, inspection and process validation.

The programme is modular, IPC-aligned and can be tailored to the customer’s production environment and equipment configuration.

Download Training Programme (PDF)

Developed Around Real Coating Processes

SCH combines equipment engineering with practical conformal coating process experience. This allows machine design to take account of the variables that affect real production, including viscosity stability, coating replenishment, PCB handling, withdrawal conditions, drainage and inspection.

The result is an engineered production system developed around the customer’s coating process rather than a generic automation platform adapted after the event.

FAQs – High-Volume Conformal Coating Dipping Systems

How is coating thickness controlled?
Dip coating film build is influenced by several variables including coating viscosity, solids content, withdrawal speed, PCB geometry, orientation and drainage conditions. The system allows relevant process parameters such as immersion, dwell and withdrawal profiles to be controlled repeatably.

Can systems process silicone and UV-curable coatings?
Systems can be engineered around a range of conformal coating chemistries, including suitable silicone and UV-curable materials. Compatibility and required machine features should be confirmed for the specific coating selected.

How is viscosity maintained?
Depending on the coating and process, systems can incorporate viscosity monitoring, coating circulation, material replenishment and automatic solvent top-up. The appropriate approach is selected according to the coating manufacturer’s requirements and the required level of process control.

Find out more about viscosity and dip coating process control.

Can curing be integrated?
Yes. Depending on the selected coating and required cure process, systems can incorporate appropriate infrared, convection or UV curing stages.

Can tank capacity and PCB handling be customised?
Yes. Tank dimensions, dipping stroke, PCB carriers, loading systems and handling arrangements can be engineered around the assemblies and required production process.

Does a high-volume dipping system require extraction / LEV?
This depends on the coating materials and process configuration. Systems processing solvent-based coatings will normally require integration with suitable site extraction / LEV. SCH provides the machine extraction interface information; required site extraction performance should be determined by the customer’s competent extraction / LEV specialist.

Planning a High-Volume Dip Coating Line?

High-volume conformal coating systems are engineered around the application rather than selected from a fixed catalogue configuration.

Send SCH your PCB dimensions, coating material, production volume, target takt time, masking requirements and required upstream/downstream integration. We can review the process and develop the appropriate equipment concept.

Discuss Your High-Volume Coating Process

Download

📄 Inline and Batch Conformal Coating Dip System – Product Information (PDF)

Why Choose SCH Services?

SCH approaches high-volume dipping as a coating-process engineering project, combining equipment development with practical experience in conformal coating materials, application, masking, inspection and process control.

• 🛠️ Coating Process Knowledge – Practical support with material selection, viscosity, dipping parameters, masking and inspection.
• ⚙️ Engineered-to-Order Systems – Equipment developed around the assembly, chemistry, throughput and production layout.
• 🔬 Process Development – Support with evaluation and validation before production equipment is finalised.
• 🎓 Training & Technical Support – Operator and process training covering the wider conformal coating workflow.
• 🌍 International Support – Equipment and technical support for customers across multiple manufacturing regions.

📞 Call: +44 (0)1226 249019 | ✉ Email: sales@schservices.com | 💬 Contact Us ›

Disclaimer: Information on this page is provided as general guidance. High-volume conformal coating systems are engineered to the agreed application and final specifications depend on the coating material, PCB assemblies, process requirements and production environment. Coating compatibility, process parameters, throughput and system configuration should be validated for the intended application. Where site extraction / LEV is required, the necessary system performance should be determined by the customer with competent extraction / LEV specialist advice. Users remain responsible for applicable workplace risk assessments, material safety requirements, legislation, regulations and site controls.