BOBST Metallizer Handles Many Films
- Published: January 26, 2018
MEX, SWITZERLAND | BOBST says the new K5 VISION vacuum metallizer is compact and designed to handle a wide variety of different film types including heat-sensitive films and thin-gauge substrates. It can run at speeds to 840 mpm, is available in widths from 1,250–2,450 mm, and can house roll diameters to 1,000 mm. 
The machine incorporates a Ø600mm coating drum said to increase aluminum collection efficiency by up to 16% and resulting in less consumables, an extended boat life, and a 10%-15% energy reduction. Company says it also provides better film cooling due to the increased surface area of the drum; additional cooling is also given by the two-zone gas wedge, said to provide better conduction of heat between the substrate and the drum.
Reportedly, the powerful, robust evaporation source with a staggered ceramic boat arrangement provides excellent coating uniformity and also incorporates easy access to clean the boats and aluminum spools mounted on a removable trolley for easy changing. The full-width viewing windows give an improved view of the source and the metallization process.
The K5 VISION pumping group has a compact design with shorter pipe lengths; it comprises dry rotary screw pumps with a consistently high vacuum performance, booster pumps that operate at double the normal speed for maximum efficiency, and floor-mounted diffusion pumps located underneath the evaporation zone, eliminating the risk for backstreaming of oil on to the film, says the company.
The metallizer incorporates the company’s ECO Mode, said to reduce energy consumption by up to 50% during stand-by, only delivering energy and cooling water when needed. This results in a reduced carbon footprint and significant savings in production costs.
The winding mechanism incorporates a six-drive system giving three independent tension control zones. It provides low tension winding with adjustable bowed rollers to produce a virtually wrinkle-free metallization process and an optional pre-drum vari bow for better handling of thinner substrates.
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