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October 27, 2005
Finding the Bowed Roller Equation
Filed under: Guiding, Spreading, Wrinkling --- Tim Walker @ 12:41 PM
I've been teaching classes for over 15 years now and I was surprised to find I haven't included the bowed roller spreading equations in my class notes. This partially stems from mild distaste for bowed rollers from my many years in polyester film-making where they usually did more harm than good. But that shouldn't be an excuse for not having this formula in my class notes.
OK. I'll just dig it up from my web handling library and make a new PPT slide. This turned out to be the typical home project gone bad. It seems that instead of finding what I needed in my junk drawer, this project was going to take multiple trips to the hardware store before it was fixed (analogy man strikes again).
(continued... you won't believe this trip...)
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October 24, 2005
More EB Curable Inks Contacts (from AIMCAL)
Filed under: Coating, Laminating, and Printing --- Tim Walker @ 12:13 PM
After my last post on EB curable inks, I decided to look in one more place, at the AIMCAL website (www.aimcal.org).
I went to AIMCAL's site. Clicked on SOURCEBOOK on the side menu, then on MATERIALS SUPPLIERS, then COATINGS, finally on RADIATION CURED.
Here's the direct link to bypass these clicks:
http://aimcal.org/sourcebook/results.asp?category=104
After a few clicks to follow the companies lists, it's clear that Cork Industries, Rohm and Haas, and Northwest Coatings may all be able to help with EB curable inks. (The other two listings may also, but it was going to take more time at their websites to confirm this.)
Hope this helps. tjw
Contacts for EB Curable Inks?
Filed under: Coating, Laminating, and Printing --- Tim Walker @ 11:38 AM
A recent post asked:
'I am trying to find anyonw who works with EB curable inks.'
Last week, I attended the AIMCAL Fall Technical Conference in Myrtle Beach. One of the highlights of the conference was a panel discussion between an expert panel representing several types of drying and curing technology (including conventional convection drying, IR, EB, hot can, microwave, and UV).
The panel expert for EB was Rick Sanders of Energy Sciences Inc. Rick also presented a paper 'EB Coating Developments for Graphic Arts'. From his presentation, it's clear that ESI is a equipment supplier of EB curing systems, but I expect he'd be a good resource to find who makes the EB curable inks.
Also on the drying-curing panel was Juliet Midlik of Prime Systems (an equipment manufacturer of UV curing systems). Juliet presented a paper on managing UV curing byproduct heat with a chilled roller. Related to the EB curable ink question, during the panel discussion Juliet mentioned that the chemistry for UV and EB curable inks are quite similar, but that UV inks need a UV activation chemistry added to them. Based on this comments, I'd think she may also be able to steer you to UV or EB curable ink suppliers.
Neither of these contacts will get you the direct link you need, but hopefully, get you one step away (and a chance to talk about equipment options).
Contact info for Rick and Juliet... (continued)
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October 20, 2005
AWEB - a new conference on practical web handling
Filed under: General Business Topics --- Tim Walker @ 07:36 AM
AWEB 06: The Appliced Web Handling Conference 2006
There's an exciting new conference just announced, being arranged by AIMCAL. AWEB, to be held in May 7-10, 2006 in Charlotte, NC, will focus on sharing practical knowledge of web handling and converting technology.
I want everyone in the 'web handling community' to strongly consider attending, better yet, presenting at this event next year. (continued...)
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October 19, 2005
IWEB Past Proceedings - how to order
Filed under: General Business Topics --- Tim Walker @ 07:23 AM
A post came in wondering where to get a copy of Ron Swanson's (3M) landmark IWEB paper on spreading and antiwrinkle roller performance. Besides finding a past attendee that has a copy of the proceedings, they are all available from Oklahoma State University.
The abstracts, prices, and how to order info for all past IWEB proceedings are available through this link.
IWEB Proceedings Order Info and Abstracts
I don't believe any individual papers are available, so you have to buy an entire year's proceedings at $150-200. (BTW, Ron's excellent paper is in the 1997 proceedings.)
October 17, 2005
Wrinkles at Roll Starts
Filed under: Guiding, Spreading, Wrinkling --- Tim Walker @ 01:10 PM
In response to a post on differential bars, another winding topic came in from a reply:
Coated aluminum is prone to form wrinkles at the beginning of the coil winding (first wraps around the core). Does differential winding give a smoother winding start than lock-bar winding which help to eliminate those first wraps wrinkles?
Put another way:
What causes first wrap wrinkles?
Does differential winding help?
Let's go over each: (continued)...
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October 12, 2005
Pacer Selection: Coater or Laminator?
Filed under: Tensioning, Web Mechanics --- Tim Walker @ 01:02 PM
A recent post in reply to the 'Two Pacers is One Too Many' post asked a pacer-related questions.
In a lamination process that has a reverse roll coater - drying oven - lamination nip rolls. Both the reverse roll coater and the laminating nip are driven with their own drives. We have been using a ratio control between these drives to maintain the web tension in the oven. The ratio control is being replaced with a closed loop automatic tension control system. Based on your experience should the reverse roll coater or the laminating nip be the pacer for this process? (Cont'd...)
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October 10, 2005
Favorite Analogies #2: Traction on rollers and cars
Filed under: Rollers, Traction --- Tim Walker @ 09:07 AM
Continuing my on-going themed entries on favorite analogies of web handling. Here's #2
The traction between a web and roller is like the grip of a car tire and the road.
More car weight creates more tire/road friction.
More tension creates more web/roller friction.
The ability to exchange force withoug slipping will be a function of the coefficient of friction of the tire/road (and web/roller).
(continued...)
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October 03, 2005
Favorite Analogies #1: Wound rolls as buildings
Filed under: Winding, Unwinding, Roll Defects --- Tim Walker @ 08:58 AM
When I teach web handling classes or write article, I find it often helps to compare handling webs (a fairly abstract action) to something people are more familiar with.
So I'm going to start a series (maybe monthly) of my favorite analogies I find useful to put a human perspective on web handling. This is #1.
Winding rolls and creating wound rolls is like...
...constructing a building and making a building.
(Continued...)
Continue reading"Favorite Analogies #1: Wound rolls as buildings"