Patent ID: 8257500

Claim:
A vacuum processing installation for coating of tubular substrates, comprising a vacuum connection, a coating source, and a transport device for transport of the tubular substrates in the vacuum processing installation, the transport device comprising a frame structure with retaining elements for fitting the tubular substrates, the frame structure being formed from interconnected longitudinal members extending parallel to a direction of transport of the frame structure and transverse members extending perpendicular to the direction of transport of the frame structure, at least three longitudinal members being provided between two transverse members, and at least one longitudinal member having a different thermal expansion coefficient than other of the longitudinal members, the different thermal expansion coefficient being selected to produce uniform thermal expansion of all longitudinal members when the at least one longitudinal member is heated to a different temperature than the other of the longitudinal members during transport through the vacuum processing installation, whereby deformation of the frame structure is avoided.