Slot Die Coating Design
In the world of slot die coating, thin is in. Or, to be precise, thin AND accurate is in. According to Scott Zwierlein of Frontier, “roll-to-roll slot die coating has become the industry standard for extremely thin and extremely accurate coating.” Let’s take a look to see if it’s the right coating method for you.
“The use of slot die coating will increase because it has several advantages,” adds coating industry guru Dr. Edward Cohen. These include attributes such as excellent quality and uniformity, and the fact that it’s pre-metered so that all of the coating is applied to the substrate.
However, Cohen also notes that each converter has their own specific needs which will determine which coating methods should be used. So how do you determine if slot die is the coating method of choice for you?
Slot die coating hot melt adhesives requires specialist systems to suit the specific requirements. Universal Converting Equipment is able to offer a range of slot die coating systems developed by Universal Adhesive Systems, ITW Dynatec and other manufacturers of slot dies. Design, Manufacture and Sales of Slot Coating Dies and patch coaters. Slot die coating technology is a method in which the coating liquid is supplied into the slot die and shaped into a wide and uniform film to deposit on a moving substrate. Slot die coating technology is a function of the coating process, auxiliary system and fundamental technique. The decision to utilize a coating technology needs to be analyzed against these functions to determine best fit.
Let’s take an in-depth look at the technology and the uses to find the answer. (Full disclosure – Scott and Frontier are a subsidiary of Delta ModTech.)
How Thin is Thin and How Accurate is Accurate?
The fields of electronics, medical devices and pharmaceuticals continue to push the envelope, or should we say, the tolerances required for converters. At some point, their needs have exceeded the capabilities of traditional extrusion dies, and entered into the realm of the nearly infinitesimal.
Slot die coating can meet these new thickness and accuracy requirements. Just how thin can slot die go? With a slot die, Zwierlein explains you can achieve an attainable wet coating thickness of <2 micron. (NOTE: Slot die can be used to coat thick as well — we’re just highlighting the thin capabilities in this post.)
To put that in perspective, a “micron,” which is the abbreviated term for “micrometers,” is one millionth of a metre (or one thousandth of a millimetre, 0.001 mm, or about 0.000039 inch). A human hair is about 75 microns across.
Here’s a picture of a carbon filament 6 microns in diameter, overlaid on a human hair 50 microns in diameter.
Photo of a carbon filament, 6 microns in diameter, overlaid on a human hair, 50 microns in diameter. – Micro photo courtesy of Wikipedia.com
And how accurate is accurate? Accuracy in the coating world is flatness. Or, in other words, how much the thickness varies from your target. The attainable transverse web accuracy with a slot die is <2%.
Talk about little margin for error.
Now listen to this short audio interview with Scott Zwierlein, and then read on how slot die delivers on thin and accurate:
https://deltamodtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Scott-Zwierlein.mp3
1. Extremely Thin
As Zwierlein notes, 2 microns is the “Holy Grail of liquid coatings.” Many traditional methods exist, but only slot die can achieve this level.
Why? It’s the nature of the equipment design. Other methods will flood a large amount of coating, and then wipe it away. Slot die does the opposite. It applies the exact amount to the substrate. Everything the pump delivers is applied to the substrate – there is no waste.
Other methods – such as reverse roll, knife over roll, and comma coating – use a device to wipe away excess coating leaving just the thickness desired. In this scenario you’re requiring a blade or bar to be positioned2 microns away from a substrate. “That’s almost impossible,” Zwierlein said. Take a look at the photo of the human hair above and you’ll see what he means.
2. Extremely Accurate
Accuracy is based on the amount of material you want to put down, how close you are, and how uniform you want it to be. Zwierlein explains that you might be able to achieve 2 microns with other methods, but you can’t match the accuracy of slot die.
With other coating methods the gap set for the blade or the bar is fixed and the substrate and coating fluid pass through it. If the substrate thickness varies, the thickness will vary. “The substrate you coat on is never that flat,” he said.
The Important Attributes of Slot Die Coating
A number of attributes need to be present to help slot die deliver on its promise. These attributes result in significant benefits over traditional methods in terms of functionality and cost savings.
1. Precision pre-metered fluid delivery
2. Extremely flat and straight die surfaces
3. High-precision backing roll
4. Accurate and precise positioning of die to the substrate
5. Contamination-free environment
Industries for Slot Die Coating
Slot Die Coating Designs
Slot die is becoming increasingly necessary in a number of industries. Here are just a few specific applications:
Micro-electronics: Flat panel displays, thin circuits.
Batteries and capacitors: Lithium-ion battery electrodes, multilayer ceramic capacitors.
Barrier films: In food and medical packages, liquid film coatings are being applied to food coating.
Slot Die Coating Head Design
Solar photovoltaic: Solar cells require thin coatings.
Medical diagnostics: Chemistries and other solutions need to be accurately applied. Variations in thickness can result in variations in results.
Transdermal and oral pharmaceuticals: The more accurate you coat the transdermal, the more accurate the dosage.
Now let’s take a specific look at two types of slot die coating that can deliver for these applications:
Stripe Coating
Stripe coating is the preferred method when you are producing a narrow strip with exposed foil along one or both edges, in battery and capacitor applications for example.
Some requirements for good stripe coating include:
Uniform Coating Thickness
Proper cavity design is essential. You need proper die shim thickness for optimized die pressure; that produces the right uniformity for cross web production.
Accurate Width Control and Good Edge Quality
The shim sets width — it looks like a comb. Accurate shim design and fabrication is important to maintain the proper alignment. A die vacuum is used to fine-tune the width. The die vacuum also ensures there is no saw tooth or waviness.
Patch Coating
With patch coating, we’re expanding on the issues that make stripe coating desirable. It’s required when an uncoated substrate is required around the full perimeter of a coated part, not just on two sides or one side.
For example, on a touch screen or an LCD screen, you may have a grid of circuitry that requires leads to be exposed on the bottom and/or the sides. Transdermal patches require patches to be cut out of adhesives, and you don’t want to apply the medicine beyond the patch area.
Some requirements for good patch coating include:
Good Machine Direction Edges
The coating edges must be continuous, consistent and sharp.
Good Leading Edge
There can be no heavy build-up at the start of the patch. Accurate and repeatable timing is important – this is why it’s desirable to move the fluid, and not the machine. (Scott describes this method in the audio interview.)
Good Trailing Edge
The trailing edge should be straight and clean, no feathers or drip lines.
Uniform Coating Thickness Throughout Patch
Minimal variability is essential.
Here’s a graphic of a patch to illustrate some of the terms from above:
Slot Die Coating is a Huge Advantage for the Right Industries
As we noted earlier, industries such as electronics, medical devices and pharmaceutical keeping raising the bar. Converters looking to meet tighter tolerances are finding yesterday’s traditional extrusion dies can’t keep pace with the new normal.
If you’re in these uber-competitive industries, slot die coating can be the answer you’re looking for. And since “profitable” is always in vogue, it’s an advancement that will be welcomed with open arms.
Choose the right methodology for your next coating project.