The UPNC plasma spraying unit is designed to apply an inorganic compound of powder material to the surfaces of parts and assemblies using plasma spraying in an inert gas environment, in particular zirconium nitride.
Coatings are applied on the UPNC unit using a plasma jet by depositing particles of the sprayed material onto the product, introduced into the plasma jet in the form of powder. When colliding with the product, the particles, which are in a molten or plastic state, are deformed and embedded in the microroughness of the product or plastically deform it with the formation of common points of physical and chemical interaction, ensuring the strength of adhesion and density of the coating. The formation of a coating layer of the required thickness is carried out by layer-by-layer spraying when the plasma torch moves relative to the sprayed surface.

The UPNC unit includes the following main units:
- Chamber,
- Sliding cover,
- Vacuum system,
- Rail track,
- Rotator,
- Manipulator,
- Plasma torch,
- Plasma torch movement mechanism,
- Water cooling system,
- Gas supply system,
- Powder supply unit,
- Control system.

Chamber.
The spraying chamber is a welded metal hollow cylinder with double walls. The front end cover is sliding, which is driven by an electric drive along the guides along the chamber axis. The chamber body has hatches for the lighting system of the interior of the chamber. The rear end wall of the vacuum chamber is blind. Two viewing windows and two glove inputs are installed on the front wall; to protect the eyes from radiation, the viewing windows have folding light filters. Windshield wipers are provided for cleaning the viewing windows.

Sliding cover.
The sliding cover is a water-cooled disk with double walls. The shafts of the drives on the mechanisms and the hoses of the gas supply system are hermetically introduced into the chamber through the cover. The flanges of the sealed current leads for powering the plasma torch are installed on the sliding cover.
On the inner side of the cover, which enters the vacuum chamber, there is a manipulator, a rotator, sealed inputs, a sealed input that allows connecting water-cooled current leads for power and cooling to the plasma torch, as well as flexible hoses for feeding gas and powder.

Vacuum system.
The vacuum system is designed to pump out the atmosphere from the chamber and includes a pumping line based on a mechanical spool vacuum pump. The vacuum system performs technological operations in manual and automatic modes.

Track.
The track is used to install and move the sliding cover along the guides. It consists of two sections connected to each other. One section is attached to the supports and foundation, and the other to the section and foundation.

Rotator.
The rotator is designed to secure and rotate the sprayed product with the tooling on the faceplate.

Manipulator.
The manipulator provides for the fastening, positioning and movement of the plasma torch during the technological process of plasma spraying, fulfilling the conditions for applying powder along a curvilinear trajectory: along the axis of the workpiece with a plasma torch rotation angle of ±100° in the longitudinal plane and ±50° in the transverse plane. The manipulator is attached to the cover.

Plasma torch.
The plasma torch is used to apply refractory materials in a protective gas environment, provides stable spraying in all operating modes with all permissible powder fractions (sizes from 0.063 mm to 0.071 mm). Powder is fed through the plasma torch into the plasma arc column using a transport gas.

Plasma torch movement mechanism.
The plasma torch movement mechanism is attached to the sliding cover, consists of a set of mechanisms and operates in an automated mode.

Water cooling system.
The unit has an autonomous water cooling system from a chiller with distilled water with an additional tossing pump for efficient cooling of the plasma torch. The water cooling system is involved in the general automatic operation cycle of the plasma unit.

Gas supply system.
The gas supply system consists of an inlet ramp, a gas supply panel with ramp regulators of the transport and plasma-forming gases and a dynamic gas flow regulator panel with valves for supplying transport and plasma-forming gases and a plasma-forming gas flow regulator; the valves and flow regulator are controlled from the unit control system.

Powder supply unit.
The powder supply unit of the mass-measuring type serves to supply the applied powder by a flow of transport gas through elastic tubes.

Control system.
The control system is based on a modern programmable logic controller and a touch operator panel. It ensures automatic exit of the installation to the spraying mode and completion of the process with the ability to work in manual (setup mode, registration and documentation of process parameters for sprayed parts. The components of the "UPNC" control system have several digital interfaces and can operate in industrial networks of various structures. The control system has the ability to record and store all process parameters with printing. Protection against unauthorized access to setup and process parameters is provided.