Fixed Lip Slot Dies

Fixed lip slot dies are simple, precise coating devices. When surrounded by the proper equipment, Liberty dies yield excellent coating results in a variety of applications.

• A steady, metered flow of coating fluid is pumped by the fluid delivery system into the die via a feed port.
• Fluid is spread uniformly across the width of the die by the internal manifold or cavity. Coating width may be limited by shim selection.
• Fluid flows across the “land” from the manifold to the slot exit. The slot gap is set by shim thickness.
• A positioner moves the die between coating and non-coating positions, and sets a precise coating gap from die lips to substrate (supported by backing roll).
  
• Where needed, the positioner may also vary die height and angle relative to the backing roll.
• Usually a vacuum box helps control the coating bead by removing air between coating exiting the die and substrate approaching the die.

Die Types

• Stainless steel single, dual, and tri-slot dies for single or multi-layer coating
• Complete size range from laboratory to wide production dies
• Stainless steel or plastic shims to set actual coating width and slot gap

Benefits

Reasons for moving to the fixed lip slot die coating vary from user to user. Here are some of the more common benefits of a successful implementation.

• Enclosed fluid delivery minimizes waste and flash-off for consistent coating, lower emissions, and cleaner operation
• Pre-metering of fluid minimizes waste, ensures consistent coating thickness in web direction, and allows pumping tie-in to line speed
• Precision of die manufacture leads to excellent cross-web coating thickness uniformity
• Simplicity of system brings numerous benefits:
• Permits quick set-up
• Shortens time from coating start to making good product, thereby increasing productivity and minimizing waste
• Reduces coating variables for increased process stability and repeatability
• Versatility of process allows use across broad range of coatings, substrates, widths, and thicknesses.
• Approach enables implementation of special techniques, including these successful Liberty applications:
  
• Multiple layers (“wet on wet”) for significant process savings
• Side streaming of pigment, hardeners, other substances just prior to coating
• Lane coating in web direction
• Patch (intermittent) coating
• Coating an unsupported web

Performance Guarantee

Our WetWare™ analysis combined with theoretical models enable us to offer a performance guarantee in many applications. Any die that fails to perform to the levels specified can be returned.

Process Expertise – The CCR Advantage

Liberty slot dies are successfully coating in a wide variety of applications. That success is built on experience. And that experience is available to you in the form of WetWare™ for hands-on trials, a complete set of slot die coating products, computer simulation software for die design, a capability for adapting our products for your unique needs, and Start-Up and Training services that move you quickly into successful operation.