The doctor blade’s function on an in-line tower coating unit is to meter the excess coating from the anilox roll and provide a uniform coating delivery to the blanket. The material the doctor blade is made from directly impacts how long the blade lasts before it becomes ineffective and needs to be replaced. While steel is the most common doctor blade material, plastic and composite doctor blades are longer-lasting alternatives with comparable metering performance.
The fundamental advantage of non-metallic doctor blades is their ability to outlast steel. The thickness and physical properties of plastics and composites translate into a longer wear life which offers the economic benefits of lower replacement costs and limited press interruption. These materials wear more evenly resulting in less variation in coating thickness and more consistent lay-down of coating.
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