The present invention relates to an arc vaporization source for generating hard surface coatings on tools. The invention comprises an arc-vaporization source, comprising at least one electric solenoid and a permanent magnet arrangement that is displaceable relative to the target surface. The vaporization source can be adjusted to the different requirements of oxide, nitride, or metal coatings. The rate drop during the lifespan of a target to be vaporized can be held constant or adjusted by suitably adjusting the distance of the permanent magnets to the front side of the target. A compromise between the coating roughness and rate can be set.