In industries where precision is everything—like thin film deposition and coatings—even small inconsistencies in gas flow control can mean the difference between perfect product quality and costly rework or downtime. For one thin film deposition systems manufacturer, their flow meter manufacturer couldn't provide technical support which nearly compromised their production line.
Fortunately, Brooks Instrument stepped in – delivering not only the technical support but also the responsiveness and application expertise that rebuilt the manufacturer’s confidence in their equipment.
This is a story of how engineering excellence and deep technical knowledge helped turn frustration into confidence.
A manufacturer of thin film deposition systems, specializing in high vacuum process technology and equipment—known for high-precision optical, solar, and aerospace deposition equipment—had been experiencing a slow response on lead times and poor customer service from their current flow meter supplier.
After a lack of response from the flow meter supplier, the manufacturer scheduled a call with a flow expert from Brooks Instrument. Within days, they were working with a dedicated Brooks Instrument engineer who took a holistic look at their system. The OEM even made a point in mentioning that they had received better customer service from Brooks Instrument compared to their current flow meter supplier.
Here's how Brooks Instrument made a difference:
The Brooks Instrument team conducted a complete review of the equipment, including:
They identified multiple mismatches between the prior mass flow controller's capabilities and the OEM's actual system requirements.
Brooks Instrument recommended the SLA5850 mass flow controller with PROFINET specifically for:
These controllers also offered improved digital communication, making integration with their control system seamless.
Next, Brooks Instrument recommended a capacitance manometer specifically for:
Within weeks of deployment, the OEM's team saw:
The difference wasn't just in the equipment. It was the combination of technically superior flow measurement and vacuum control technology and access to decades of real engineering expertise that allowed their team to get back on track — and stay there.
In advanced manufacturing sectors like thin film deposition, PVD, CVD, and ALD, the margin for error is razor-thin. Mass flow meters and vacuum measurement instrumentation are not just components — they are critical enablers of process stability, repeatability, and product quality.
What this case study shows is that:
If you're facing similar challenges — poor support or a lack of application expertise — it might be time to consider a better solution.