SOLVENT CASTING SYSTEM AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR

摘要

A solvent band casting system is disclosed in which a tank is to mix and/or agitate and/or store a polymer solution for a band casting machine having at least a first and a second rotating drums about which a continuous metal band is tensioned to travel with the rotation of the drums. A sheeting die applies the polymer solution from the tank to the metal band where a drying chamber enclosing a least a portion of the metal band downline of the sheeting die, is used to remove solvent from the polymer solution as it travels in a thin sheet on the metal band. The drying chamber may include at least one heater with a plenum for directing a flow of heated air counter-current to the travel of the metal bank for more effective drying. Additionally, a surfactant applicator in communication with a supply of surfactant and a portion of the metal band may be used to attain a substantially bubble-free film. A buffer configured to pivotably abut the metal band is usable on-line to lessen system downtime. Finally, a system controller is connected such that the operation of at least one of the band casting machine, the sheeting die, the drying chamber, the surfactant applicator, and the buffer is monitored and/or controlled by the system controller.