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How to Monitor and Measure Metering Rod Service Life

Written by Ross DeFelice

Metering rods are used to apply coatings to papers, films, foils, and other substrates.

One of the biggest challenges coaters face is knowing how to monitor and measure rod service life. The goal is to optimize rod use and to replace rods at the right time to avoid quality issues.

Metering rods are usually taken out of service when:

  • They no longer apply enough coating;
  • The coating is no longer smooth and uniform.

Though these determinations are application specific, they can be monitored in many ways. A few common methods include:

  • Direct coat weight measurement;
  • Production tracking;
  • Brightness;
  • Opacity;
  • Visual coating quality check;
  • Loss of functional properties (Cobb Test, MVTR Cup Test, etc.).

Regardless of the method used to determine when a metering rod is no longer achieving performance targets, the point at which most coating operators would call the rod “worn,” it’s important to make the distinction between the two main factors that lead to decreased coat weights and metering rod end of life: Physical wear and contamination.

This determination will allow you and your metering rod supplier to determine the most logical steps for your operation to maximize rod performance and the quality of your finished product.

Physical Wear v. Contamination of Metering Rods

There are two main factors that contribute to end of life of a coating rod. It is extremely important to understand the difference between the factors and to determine which is more impactful in your operation.

Buschman has several decades of experience helping paper mills, paperboard mills, and converting plants achieve their coating objectives. We custom-engineer thread profiles for the most demanding applications, working closely with coaters to determine and optimize thread profiles that maximize rod performance and life.

We have seen countless coating operations throwing away “worn” metering rods only to discover there was little to no wear occurring – the threads were simply contaminated with coating debris.

We’ve found that the most accurate way to determine whether you are experiencing pure rod wear or rod contamination is a wear analysis. Your metering rod supplier should be able to conduct a wear analysis at your request.

Physical Wear

During normal operation, metering rods are subjected to friction, abrasives, heat, and other factors that cause the rod to physically wear. In these cases, the crests of the threads are actually worn down, reducing the open volume of the thread as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Physical Wear

Contamination

Rod contamination occurs when dried coating and other debris becomes lodged in the thread. As the root of the thread fills with debris, the open area of the thread is reduced as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Contamination

Whatever the case with your operation, it’s important to understand that physical wear and contamination both cause the same problem: The open area of the thread is reduced, which reduces the amount of coating applied to the substrate.

How to Measure Metering Rod Life

In our experience, the best ways to measure the life of a metering rod are tracking individual rods during production and using an in-line coating measurement system.

Individual Rod Production Tracking

With this method, a production history log is kept for every metering rod. This is a very accurate way to track metering rod life, but it requires disciplined tracking of each rod used.

Every metering rod Buschman produces is marked with a unique numerical identifier (serial number). This number can be used to correlate production history with a specific rod.

For example, if you know that a rod lasts 50,000 linear meters on average, you can track this in a spreadsheet. When the rod has 25,000 linear meters of production recorded against it, you can assume the rod has 50% life (25,000 linear meters) left.

In this example, it is assumed the rod is only used for one specific product and the web width and coating application parameters remain constant.

In-Line Coating Measurement System

Perhaps the best method of monitoring rod performance is using an in-line coat weight measuring system. The newer systems are quite sophisticated and can instantly alert you when coating volume becomes insufficient.

Continual coat weight monitoring offers other important benefits, such as:

  • Early detection of defects, like uneven coating;
  • Integration with quality tracking systems;
  • Reducing coating costs by detecting excess coating in real time.

How to Maximize Metering Rod Life

Following a few simple steps will maximize the life of any metering rod. Here are four ways to do it:

1. Storage

Metering rods are precision instruments and must be stored and handled with care. All rods should be shipped in individual protective covers. When not in use or being cleaned, covers should remain on rods to prevent damage to the rod surface.

Rods also must be stored in a manner that prevents bowing or bending of the rod. A bowed or bent rod will often cause coat weight variations and/or shadow marks in the coating.

2. Cleaning

Whenever possible, rods should be removed from the machine at the end of any production run and cleaned immediately.

For water-based coatings, immediately immerse the rods after use in warm water mixed with detergent (liquid dish soap). For coatings containing industrial solvents, immerse the rods immediately after use in a container of the same solvent used in the coating.

After the rods have had time to soak, use a fine brass-bristle brush and gently scrub, rinse, and dry the rods and place in proper storage. Buschman supplies specialty brushes for this purpose with 0.075mm (0.003in) brass wire.

3. Handling

When moving a metering rod, avoid hitting objects that could damage the rod surface. Even minor damage can cause costly coating defects. When carrying longer rods, ensure enough people are utilized to support the rod properly to avoid bending.

4. Rod Rotation

Metering rods are designed to rotate in operation for multiple reasons. But as it relates to wear, metering rods should be rotated constantly to ensure wear occurs evenly around the circumference of the rod.

Metering Rods: A Critical Component of Coating Quality

Metering rods are consumable items. They wear out naturally during operation and may become contaminated. Following these recommendations and keeping an open line of communication with your metering rod supplier will help you maximize the life of your metering rods and the quality of your finished product.

Looking for more information about metering rods, rod holders, or coatings?

Ask us! Buschman's experts are here to help. Contact us with your questions.

Testimonials

Buschman Delivers Consistent Quality

“It’s all about the quality of the rod we’re using to meter the product onto the paper. Without the proper rod application, your coating isn’t going to lay properly. Buschman has a quality product that performs the way it’s supposed to and they get it to us when we need it. They consistently meet all our expectations.”

Coated Products Manager
International Packaging Paper Producer

Top Ratings for Quality Products & Service

“Since we’ve opened the doors here, we’ve worked and had a great partnership with Buschman. They are a very highly reputable company and we’re proof of that as a happy customer. We have a lot of trust and faith in Buschman, so we just give them gold stars.”

Production Manager
Large Multinational Packaging Paper Plant

The Supplier of Choice for Coating Rods

“The quality of Buschman’s products is excellent. In the ten years we’ve been purchasing coating rods from them, we’ve had maybe two or three issues and they are minor issues. For the number of coating rods we purchase, that’s incredible. Their quality has been so high and they work so well with us that we don’t even consider looking at other vendors for our coating rod needs.”

Purchasing Manager
Leading Packaging Paper Producer in Southern US

Consistent Quality

“Consistent quality is the number one requirement for me and that’s what Buschman delivers.”

Senior Manager
Multinational Paper Mill in Australia

Trusted for Superior Quality & Service

“The number one reason we work with Buschman is the product quality. The second reason is service. If we are running low on product, they’ll turn the world upside down to get us what we need. Buschman delivers product performance and customer service.”

Coated Products Manager
Prominent Packaging Paper Producer in Northern US

Going Above & Beyond for Customers

“We’ve used Buschman for well over ten years. Buschman goes above and beyond: The quality of materials, the finished goods, the on-time deliveries. They go out of their way to get us the product we need.”

Coating Manager
Large Converter in Northern US

Quality, Performance & Responsiveness

“Buschman’s service is outstanding. You don’t find that anymore. If we need something custom tweaked through Buschman, they’re more than willing to sit down with us and do so. They have quality, performance, and great delivery time and they’re very responsive to our needs. They go above and beyond. They’re first class.”

Coating Manager
Leading U.S. Packaging Paper Plant