SLOT DIE ADJUSTMENT WITH HYBRID CONTROLS

• Main Authors: CPREK, Leonard D, KOSTUCH, Gregory D, REHKAMP, Brandon A, LOUKUSA, Pentti K, SECOR, Robert B, TAYLOR, Charles& x9;W, NGUYEN, David D, YAPEL, Robert A, ANTILA, Garth V, THOMAS, Paul C
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 21.02.2024
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

Provided are methods and systems associated with adjusting a slot die. The slot die includes an applicator slot extending across a width of the slot die, the applicator slot in fluid communication with a fluid flow path through the slot die, an adjustment mechanism comprising a slot die surface; and a plurality of primary actuators spaced along the width of the slot die. Each primary actuator is operatively coupled to one or more secondary actuators, and each secondary actuator is operatively coupled to the adjustment mechanism to adjust a cross-sectional height of fluid flow path at its respective location to provide a local adjustment of fluid flow through the applicator slot. The method includes determining a target slot height profile, then predicting, with a controller, a set of primary actuator settings and a set of secondary actuator settings based on the target slot height profile. Each primary and secondary actuator are then separately positioned according to the predicted set of primary and secondary actuator settings to adjust the slot die.