When webs need treatment

10 May 2012




Specialised treatment technology partners AFS and Softal collaborated with the TUD (Darmstadt University of Technology) in Germany to modifiy its existing laboratory corona station and corona generator to a system offering the widest possible range of research applications.

Softal specialises in custom-engineered solutions for large and medium-scale corona and plasma-based treatment of 2D surfaces. AFS’s Plasmajet technology is said to make a virtually potential-free plasma treatment of 3D surfaces possible.

The two companies were able to meet the TUD’s challenges by joining forces to create an all-in-one system suitable for corona treatment with direct and indirect as well as potential-free plasma treatment applications.

The special system includes the AFS Plasmajet technology and the most versatile corona and Linear Plasma electrode module ever built by Softal.

Another factor for achieving the treatment station’s success was the company’s latest 9010R research and development generator, which offers the flexibility needed in a research environment.

New corona power generators introduced at Drupa by Corona Supplies use the latest technology for increased energy efficiency and reduced running costs – resulting in “more treatment for less power”.

Available in ratings from 1.0-3.5kW, the new units feature an invertor section that contains the latest microprocessor controlled IGBT technology, with automatic variable output frequency for better load matching to the electrode station.

Corona Supplies says its power measurement circuit “guarantees that the power specified is the power being delivered, true output power”. In addition, the feedback circuit automatically maintains constant output power regardless of changes in load conditions, humidity and temperature, the company states.

Determining the surface energy of a substrate prior to treatment to ensure adhesion of inks, adhesives and coatings can easily be achieved using the Dyne fluid measurement test to indicate surface wettability.

When the Dyne level test fluid is applied to the surface, the liquid will either form a continuous film or pull back into small droplets. If the fluid remains as a film for 3 sec, the substrate will have a minimum surface energy of that fluid value, expressed in mN/m (Dynes/cm). Should the test liquid reticulate or draw back into droplets in less than 1sec, the surface energy is lower than that of the liquid itself.

The exact surface energy (Dyne level) can be determined by applying a range of increasing or decreasing values of Dyne test fluid.

Dyne Technology offers a complete range of Dyne test pens and test fluids from 23-73mN/m and can advise on the Dyne levels required for testing various materials. Should a low surface energy material be identified, the company can offer surface treatment solutions to aid adhesion.



Softal specialises in custom-engineered solutions for large and medium-scale corona and plasmabased treatment of 2D surfaces Softal

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