Slot die position adjustments to facilitate patterned products

摘要

A method of controlling a slot die comprises positioning actuators of the slot die with a controller according to a first set of discrete settings, operating the slot die by passing an extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot with the actuators positioned according to the first set of discrete settings, and while passing the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, changing the positions of the actuators with the controller to create patterned features in the extrudate.

主权项

1. A method of controlling a slot die, the slot die including:
an applicator slot extending about a width of the slot die, wherein the applicator slot is in fluid communication with a fluid flow path through the slot die, and a plurality of actuators spaced about the width of the slot die, wherein each actuator in the plurality of actuators is operable to adjust a cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path at its respective location to provide a local adjustment of fluid flow through the applicator slot, the method comprising: with a controller in communication with each actuator, wherein the controller is configured to set the position of each actuator according to one of a plurality of discrete settings, positioning each of the actuators according to a first set of discrete settings selected from the plurality of discrete settings; operating the slot die by passing an extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot with the actuators positioned according to the first set of discrete settings; and while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, changing the positions of the actuators with the controller to create patterned features in the extrudate; wherein each actuator in the plurality of actuators is operable to adjust a cross-directional thickness of the applicator slot at its respective location to provide the local adjustment of fluid flow through the applicator slot; and wherein the slot die further includes any of: a) a choker bar;
wherein the choker bar extends about a width of the slot die;wherein the plurality of actuators are attached to the choker bar about a length of the choker bar, andwherein each of the actuators is operable to control the thickness of the fluid flow path at its location by providing a local adjustment of the position of the choker bar within the fluid flow path; or b) a rotary rod and a die lip that opposes the rotary rod, wherein the rotary rod extends about a width of the slot die;
wherein the applicator slot is between the rotary rod and the die lip, andwherein the plurality of actuators is operable to control the cross-directional thickness of the applicator slot by moving the rotary rod relative to the die lip; or c) a flexible die lip on one side of the applicator slot,
wherein the flexible die lip extends about a width of the slot die; andwherein the plurality of actuators is operable to control the cross-directional thickness of the applicator slot by moving the flexible die lip.