A PVD coating machine is a sophisticated piece of industrial equipment used to apply thin film coatings to various substrates through a process called physical vapor deposition. In this process, material is vaporized from a solid source in a vacuum chamber and then deposited onto the target object. Common PVD techniques include sputtering and evaporation.

The machine consists of several key components. A high-vacuum chamber is essential to prevent contamination and allow the vaporized particles to travel unimpeded. Inside the chamber, a source, such as a sputtering target or an evaporation boat, holds the coating material. A power supply, often a high-voltage DC or RF source, provides the energy needed to vaporize the material. Substrate holders secure the items to be coated, and they may rotate or move to ensure uniform coverage. Sophisticated control systems manage parameters like pressure, temperature, and deposition rate.