03.03.17
The Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP in Dresden, Germany, has enhanced its capabilities. Scientists will be explaining and illustrating the new opportunities using a model of the new coating machine atmoFlex at their trade fair booth during ICE 2017 in Munich, Germany, from March 21-23.
Fraunhofer FEP has been pushing the technology development for thin-film coatings on plastic film for years. The basis for these advances has been its roll-to-roll process lines. In addition to its electron beam system, the process line also provides contactless slot die coating.
The initial results are promising. For example, combinations of layers were created that were fabricated using PVD (physical vapor deposition) and lacquering processes.
“atmoFlex considerably broadens the spectrum of our services. It will enable fragile and extremely thin vacuum-deposited layers to be protected by coatings applied directly at normal atmospheric pressure, for example. These types of combined layers are even reliable enough for outdoor use,” explained Dr. Steffen Günther, group manager responsible for the research at Fraunhofer FEP.
Films used for a wide range of applications can be coated with the new process line, from decorative film for furniture to permeation barriers for food packaging and organic electronics.
High temperatures normally necessary for drying coatings can impair very thin substrate films. An alternative drying and curing process is therefore employed in atmoFlex. This new process uses electron beams for curing coatings as well as for surface treatment.
Fraunhofer FEP has been pushing the technology development for thin-film coatings on plastic film for years. The basis for these advances has been its roll-to-roll process lines. In addition to its electron beam system, the process line also provides contactless slot die coating.
The initial results are promising. For example, combinations of layers were created that were fabricated using PVD (physical vapor deposition) and lacquering processes.
“atmoFlex considerably broadens the spectrum of our services. It will enable fragile and extremely thin vacuum-deposited layers to be protected by coatings applied directly at normal atmospheric pressure, for example. These types of combined layers are even reliable enough for outdoor use,” explained Dr. Steffen Günther, group manager responsible for the research at Fraunhofer FEP.
Films used for a wide range of applications can be coated with the new process line, from decorative film for furniture to permeation barriers for food packaging and organic electronics.
High temperatures normally necessary for drying coatings can impair very thin substrate films. An alternative drying and curing process is therefore employed in atmoFlex. This new process uses electron beams for curing coatings as well as for surface treatment.