A system may include a support surface for supporting a substrate, a plurality of first passages arranged to distribute flows of a first gas to establish a gas bearing to float the substrate above the support surface, and a plurality of second passages arranged to distribute flows of a second gas to convey the substrate along the support surface. A method may include floating a substrate above a support surface of a substrate support apparatus via a gas bearing; and while floating the substrate, conveying the substrate along the support surface by flowing gas toward a surface of the substrate and in a nonperpendicular direction relative to the surface of the substrate.

Improved wafer coating processes, apparatuses, and systems are described. In one embodiment, an improved spin-coating process and system is used to form a mask for dicing a semiconductor wafer with a laser plasma dicing process. In one embodiment, a spin-coating apparatus for forming a film over a semiconductor wafer includes a rotatable stage configured to support the semiconductor wafer. The rotatable stage has a downward sloping region positioned beyond a perimeter of the semiconductor wafer. The apparatus includes a nozzle positioned above the rotatable stage and configured to dispense a liquid over the semiconductor wafer. The apparatus also includes a motor configured to rotate the rotatable stage.

The instant invention relates to a method for assembling a device for the manufacturing patterns in layers. The method includes attaching a build module to a casing. The build module includes a spreader device and a dispensing device mounted above a mounting platform. The build module preferably includes a build platform mounted below the mounting platform. For example, the build module may be attached to the casing by screwing the mounting platform to the casing.

The instant invention relates to a method for assembling a device for the manufacturing patterns in layers. The method includes attaching a build module to a casing. The build module includes a spreader device and a dispensing device mounted above a mounting platform. The build module preferably includes a build platform mounted below the mounting platform. For example, the build module may be attached to the casing by screwing the mounting platform to the casing.

An apparatus decorates manufactured articles via thermosetting powder paint. The apparatus contains a decoration station with a plane, a decoration unit having a rotating cylinder supported by a carriage movable along the longitudinal extension of the manufactured articles, and a system for applying the paint to the cylinder and transferring the paint onto the manufactured articles. The outer surface of the cylinder has engraved cavities, which represent the pattern to be reproduced on the manufactured articles and are designed to contain the paint. The system has a reservoir to contain the paint, which contacts the outer surface of the cylinder and is introduced into the cavities. The reservoir has a bottom with a free end placed close to the outer engraved surface of the cylinder to identify a point for the fall of the paint from the cavities to the manufactured articles during the rotation of the cylinder.

An apparatus decorates manufactured articles via thermosetting powder paint. The apparatus contains a decoration station with a plane, a decoration unit having a rotating cylinder supported by a carriage movable along the longitudinal extension of the manufactured articles, and a system for applying the paint to the cylinder and transferring the paint onto the manufactured articles. The outer surface of the cylinder has engraved cavities, which represent the pattern to be reproduced on the manufactured articles and are designed to contain the paint. The system has a reservoir to contain the paint, which contacts the outer surface of the cylinder and is introduced into the cavities. The reservoir has a bottom with a free end placed close to the outer engraved surface of the cylinder to identify a point for the fall of the paint from the cavities to the manufactured articles during the rotation of the cylinder.

A dip coating apparatus includes a liquid tank containing paint and a hanging tool for dipping into or removal from the liquid tank. The hanging tool includes a hollow frame, a first and second rack, and two first hanging frames. The hollow frame has a first and second strip. The first and the second racks are disposed in the hollow frame and connected to the first and the second strips. Each of the first hanging frames includes a first top strip connected to the first rack, a first bottom strip connected to the second rack, and a first lateral strip connected to the first top strip and the first bottom strip. Each first lateral strip forms an obtuse angle with the corresponding first top strip and an acute angle with the corresponding first bottom strip. Each first lateral strip includes a first top hook and a first bottom hook.

A dip coating apparatus includes a liquid tank containing paint and a hanging tool for dipping into or removal from the liquid tank. The hanging tool includes a hollow frame, a first and second rack, and two first hanging frames. The hollow frame has a first and second strip. The first and the second racks are disposed in the hollow frame and connected to the first and the second strips. Each of the first hanging frames includes a first top strip connected to the first rack, a first bottom strip connected to the second rack, and a first lateral strip connected to the first top strip and the first bottom strip. Each first lateral strip forms an obtuse angle with the corresponding first top strip and an acute angle with the corresponding first bottom strip. Each first lateral strip includes a first top hook and a first bottom hook.

A system may include a support surface for supporting a substrate, a plurality of first passages arranged to distribute flows of a first gas to establish a gas bearing to float the substrate above the support surface, and a plurality of second passages arranged to distribute flows of a second gas to convey the substrate along the support surface. A method may include floating a substrate above a support surface of a substrate support apparatus via a gas bearing; and while floating the substrate, conveying the substrate along the support surface by flowing gas toward a surface of the substrate and in a nonperpendicular direction relative to the surface of the substrate.

A system may include a support surface for supporting a substrate, a plurality of first passages arranged to distribute flows of a first gas to establish a gas bearing to float the substrate above the support surface, and a plurality of second passages arranged to distribute flows of a second gas to convey the substrate along the support surface. A method may include floating a substrate above a support surface of a substrate support apparatus via a gas bearing; and while floating the substrate, conveying the substrate along the support surface by flowing gas toward a surface of the substrate and in a nonperpendicular direction relative to the surface of the substrate.