Slot die coating: how to get ridiculously thin and accurate
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.” How do you know if this is the right coating method for you?
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.
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.
- Precision pre-metered fluid delivery
- Extremely flat and straight die surfaces
- High-precision backing roll
- Accurate and precise positioning of die to the substrate
- Contamination-free environment
INDUSTRIES FOR SLOT DIE COATING
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.
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.
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.
For the full article, visit our blog at www.deltamodtech.com/blog/slot-die/
About Frontier – a Delta ModTech Company
For the past 30 years Frontier has been designing, building and optimizing high quality coating lines and integrated slot die coating systems. Our coating lines are in use around the world and serve a wide variety of industries. Frontier is dedicated to providing precise, flexible and innovative manufacturing solutions worldwide.