Fraunhofer FEP enhances its facilities for coating plastic films
A leader in thin-film technology R&D, the Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP in Dresden, Germany, has significantly enhanced its capabilities with the so-called atmoFlex system.
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 that facilitate the development of coating systems, from lab-scale to prototype samples, up through initial pilot manufacturing for industrial applications. After commissioning and testing during the past year, the new atmoFlex system has come on-line to broaden Fraunhofer FEP’s capabilities by offering processing at standard atmospheric pressure. In addition to its electron beam system, the process line also provides contactless slot die coating. All of the guide rollers within the conveyance machinery are larger than in comparable plants to minimise the mechanical loading on substrate materials. In addition, a wide range of film laminating techniques is available for research and fabrication of custom film composites.
The initial results are promising. For example, combinations of layers were created that were fabricated using PVD (physical vapour deposition) and lacquering processes. The recently launched OptiPerm project, funded by the Saxony State Ministry for Economy, Employment, and Transportation (SMWA), will be investigating the interrelationships of individual technologies. This project will specifically research the fabrication of improved systems of barrier coatings for functional films with PVD layers in combination with varnishes and cured by electron beams. Besides permeation barrier performance, the research is particularly focusing on optical properties.
“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,” explains 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. Specialised modifications to the conveyor design permit the utilisation of both smooth and textured films so that either high-gloss surfaces or decorative finishes can be produced for furnishings, for example.