Impact Coatings Extends Offering with HiPIMS from Ionautics

The INLINECOATER™ series, comprising the IC500, IC500+, and IC2000, will now be available with optional HiPIMS (High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering) technology as a customer-specific feature. HiPIMS enables improved coating uniformity and performance in tailored applications. The technology requires specialized power supplies, which will be provided by Swedish company Ionautics AB, a spin-off from the research environment at Linköping University.

“Together with Ionautics, we have successfully tested the HiPIMS technology at one of our INLINECOATER customers, with very positive results,” said Kristian Hillgren, CTO at Impact Coatings. The test involved retrofitting an existing INLINECOATER IC500 with HiPIMS power supplies from Ionautics. The retrofit was carried out jointly by engineers from both companies, with coating process optimization conducted in close collaboration with the customer’s experts.

HiPIMS technology will be offered as an option for all machine types in the INLINECOATER series, with first deliveries expected in Q3 2025. Retrofit solutions will also be available for existing INLINECOATER systems upon request.

Jonas Nilsson, CEO of Impact Coatings, commented:
“By combining our expertise in building machines for high-volume production with Ionautics’ deep knowledge of coatings and power supply technology, we can quickly deliver new, commercially viable solutions that meet the demands of large-scale manufacturing.”

Johan Ahlström, CEO of Ionautics, added:
“Impact Coatings’ systems – designed for both prototyping and high-volume production – together with the collaborative opportunities at their Coating Service Center in Linköping, make them an ideal partner for commercializing next-generation HiPIMS-based coatings.”

About HiPIMS

HiPIMS, or High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering, is an advanced physical vapor deposition (PVD) technology that uses short, high-power pulses to create dense, uniform, and high-quality thin films. Compared to conventional sputtering, HiPIMS enables better control over film structure, improved adhesion, and enhanced performance in demanding applications. The technology is particularly suited for precision coatings in industries such as automotive, electronics, and hydrogen energy.