Modelling the discrete-cell gravure roll coating process

Abstract

New results for the process of discrete-cell, reverse mode gravure coating are presented, with the model considering a single cell and taking account of web thickness (stiffness) – an important feature neglected in previous analyses. Key results are: (i) confirmation that web tension, over the range encountered industrially, has negligible influence on web deformation; (ii) that web tension plays a secondary role to that of web stiffness. For parameters characteristic of those encountered in a typical coating operation the level of web deformation is found to be small, alluding to the importance of the two different length scales in the overall process – that at the cell (small) and coating bead (large) level.