Solutions for Narrow Web Printing

Flexo Concepts redefined the use of plastic doctor blades for narrow web printing with the introduction of is MicroTip profile in 2014. Until that point, steel was the only doctor blade material available for printers who made food & beverage, pet food & care, medical & pharmaceutical, chemical product, textiles & apparel, health & beauty, or cosmetics packaging. As the narrow web printing industry continues to evolve Flexo Concepts has kept pace with continued innovation for the market sector.

Labels printed narrow web
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UV Ink Spitting & Anilox Scoring

In addition to addressing everyday needs, TruPoint doctor blades consistently solve two problems that have long plagued narrow web printers ; anilox roll scoring and ink spitting. Using plastic doctor blades eliminates steel particulate, one of the leading causes of anilox roll scoring. Plastic doctor blades can also reduce or eliminate ink spitting with UV inks because of the higher surface energy of the polymer material.

Common Doctor Blade Configurations

Narrow-web presses typically utilize a single, reverse angle blade or a enclosed doctor blade “chamber”. TruPoint doctor blades are compatible with these configurations and others and are made in a range of materials, thicknesses, and edge profiles. Many materials are thin & stiff, and resist mechanical creep. These properties make our products an ideal replacement for steel blades.

Doctor Blade Angle Configuration

Lithium-Ion Battery Production

Avoid Thermal Runaway Using Plastic Doctor Blades in the Manufacturing of Separator Films, Electrode Coatings, Priming, and Cleaning Calendar Rolls.

Lithium-Ion Battery Production Process

Eliminate Steel Doctor Blade Particles When Manufacturing

Separator Film

Separator film manufacturers employ a gravure process where the doctor blade is crucial for achieving a uniform ceramic coating thickness on a base film, optimizing separator film performance. This process is also used in anode and cathode manufacturing to apply electrode slurry to materials such as copper and aluminum.

Specialty Coatings

Specialty coatings, applied with tools like slot die, doctor blade, and anilox roller during lithium-ion battery production, are crucial for optimizing energy storage capabilities and discharge efficiency by ensuring a consistent and uniform thickness of the anode and cathode materials’ electrode coating.

Calendar Roll Cleaning

Calendar rolls are another place that doctor blades play a key role in the lithium-ion battery production process. Keeping the calendaring rolls clean and free of debris is crucial to the performance of the final product.

Electric Vehicle Lithium-Ion Battery

Elimination of Steel Contaminants

In Separator Film Manufacturing, Electrode Coatings Application, and Calendar Roll Cleaning, the common thread is the need for a plastic doctor blade. The utilization of steel doctor blades poses risks to the lithium-ion production process and the final product’s safety. With steel blades, the gradual wear introduces metallic micro-particles, causing contamination that can lead to thermal runaway. This, in turn, jeopardizes the storage and performance of lithium-ion batteries.

Our solution
TruPoint Plastic doctor blades — inert and non-conductive materials that guarantee a seamless and safe production process for your lithium-ion applications.

Common Doctor Blade Configurations

Although lithium batteries are a new technology, the methods being used for applying coatings during their production process are time tested. Both reverse angle and positive-angle metering blade configurations are used In either direction, high performance polymers with great stiffness and wear properties are required to coat consistently and reduce the number of blade changes.

Doctor Blade Angle Configuration

Solutions For Lithium-Ion Battery Production

In Separator Film Manufacturing, Electrode Coatings Application, and Calendar Roll Cleaning, the common thread is the need for a plastic doctor blade. The utilization of steel doctor blades poses risks to the lithium-ion production process and the final product’s safety. With steel blades, the gradual wear introduces metallic micro-particles, causing contamination that can lead to thermal runaway. This, in turn, jeopardizes the storage and performance of lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-Ion Battery Production Process

Common Doctor Blade Configurations

Although lithium batteries are a new technology, the methods being used for applying coatings during their production process are time tested. Both reverse angle and positive-angle metering blade configurations are used in either direction, high performance polymers with great stiffness and wear properties are required to coat consistently and reduce the number of blade changes.

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