ROLL-TO-ROLL ELECTROLESS PLATING SYSTEM WITH LIQUID FLOW BEARING

摘要

A roll-to-roll electroless plating system includes a web advance system for advancing a web of media through a tank containing plating solution where a plating substance in the plating solution is plated onto predetermined locations on the web of media. The web advance system includes a web-guiding roller that is at least partially submerged within the plating solution in the tank. A roller mount is provided for supporting the web-guiding roller while allowing free rotation of the web-guiding roller. A pump is configured to cause plating solution to flow between a bearing surface on the web-guiding roller and a bearing surface on the roller mount.

主权项

1. A roll-to-roll electroless plating system, comprising:
a tank containing a plating solution; a web advance system for advancing a web of media in an in-track direction along a web transport path from an input roll through the plating solution in the tank to a take-up roll, wherein a plating substance in the plating solution is plated onto predetermined locations on a surface of the web of media as it is advanced through the plating solution in the tank, and wherein the web advance system includes:
a web-guiding roller for guiding the web of media, the web-guiding roller being at least partially submerged within the plating solution in the tank; anda roller mount for supporting the web-guiding roller while allowing free rotation of the web-guiding roller, wherein the web-guiding roller and the roller mount include corresponding bearing surfaces; and a pump configured to cause plating solution to flow between the bearing surface of the web-guiding roller and the bearing surface of the roller mount.