Thank you for your interest in working with us! We look forward to hearing more about your product needs and how GVD's surface technology can address them. To give you a sense of how we typically operate with new customers, we have compiled a list of frequently-asked questions. We hope the answers to these questions facilitate further discussion, and we strongly encourage you to contact us with your needs.

Q: How can I most quickly get my part coated?

A: As a first step, please fill out our online product information form and tell us as much information about your product as possible. This helps us to understand your requirements better, and get to a solution more quickly. Once we’ve received your information, we will follow up by phone or e-mail (your choice) to discuss your application in more detail. If we both agree that GVD’s coatings may address your needs, we will propose some coating trials.

For coating trials, we typically suggest starting with an evaluation phase inwhich we prepare, fixture, and coat your parts for basic feasibilitytesting. The evaluation phase allows both parties to determine whethera good fit exists between the coating and the product. It gives us thechance to view your product and determine how best to provide thecoating; it gives you the chance to determine how well the coating performs.

The evaluation phase may also include integrity and performance testing here at GVD, as we have a number of tools designed to determine how well our coating has adhered to your parts and how it will perform in service. We often recommend that the evaluation phase include 2-3 iterations of preparation-fixturing-coating-testing to allow for some basic optimization. Each iteration may include different thicknesses, material grades, and preparation techniques.

Q: What will the evaluation phase cost?

A: The evaluation phase is priced on a case-by-case basis. We charge a quoted fee which covers all the activities necessary to demonstrate the performance of our coating on your product. This includes customizing our coating to meet your needs, any in-house testing required, and the coating activities, which typically include sample preparation, fixturing, and coating

The fee depends on a number of factors, including the amount of work involved in customizing our process to your product, the volume of samples required, and the complexity of testing. We typically impose a minimum fee to undertake an evaluation; however, the fee for your specific application will vary depending on the factors mentioned above. We prefer not to price on a "per run" basis because it does not reflect a committment to solving your problem.

What we are offering is a first-look opportunity to add significant value to your product. This is a brand-new technology supported by a team of experts, and we have demonstrated that it has enabling potential across a broad range of applications. We want to work with you in demonstrating these advantages for your product.

Q: Does this fee represent a cost “per part”?

A: No, not at all. The evaluation fee is no reflection of the final price per part you might expect to pay for ongoing coating services or a negotiated license rate. The evaluation fee is a flat fee designed to cover our costs in helping to address your performance requirements, and takes many different factors into account.

The final cost per part is negotiated under a separate contract and could be higher or lower than that charged for evaluation. Factors that influence this rate are: the value of our coating to your product, the anticipated volume and duration of a coating contract or license, and the nature of parts to be coated (as well as handling requirements, any regulatory issues, duration of contract, etc.). To that end, we encourage open discussion of these issues right from the start. The more we know about one another’s requirements, the sooner we can reach agreement on the terms of a business relationship.

Q: What happens after evaluation?

A: If satisfactory results are achieved during the evaluation phase, we may agree to move to a development phase. This phase is necessary if our existing process capabilities cannot satisfy your requirements for larger quantities of coated product. For instance, your product may require specialized treatment using a roll-to-roll or web coating system; or it may require a manufacturing process in compliance with the FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations. As far as possible, we will use standard tools which we have available to address your manufacturing requirements, but sometimes it may be necessary to design and construct additional hardware. If that is the case, we will include these costs in our development fee.

The development phase may involve negotiating a business relationship between the two parties, such as a licensing agreement or a coating service contract. We feel it is important to discuss the nature of such a relationship early on, as it reduces the risk for both parties. We believe in the values of trust and integrity, and are looking to build long-term relationships with our customers. Open and honest communications set the tone for such relationships right from the start.

If you aren’t yet convinced that GVD has your solution, consider the following:

All of the unmatched performance of PTFE:

• Water-repellency
• Low friction
• Chemical resistance
• Biocompatibility
• Low refractive index
• Electrical insulation
• High thermal stability

with

A Coating that can be applied:

• Ultra-thinly (literally on the "nanoscale")
• At room temperature
• Without the need for a cure
• On any material or composition
• On small, complex geometries

Why compromise?