Buschman, the metering rod technology expert and premier supplier of custom-engineered metering rods, coating rods, and rod holders for the paper and converting industries, has developed a comprehensive, new, web-based resource to help customers select and optimize coating rods.Buschman has created eight easy-to-use Rod Coating Calculators to offer customers a quick, simple way to look at rod coating hypotheticals. The calculators can help customers understand the relationships between thread size, wet film thickness, and dry coat weight, whether starting a new coating line or making modifications to a current operation.
“Many of our converting customers stock a wide range of coating rod sizes for different products,” explained Ross DeFelice, President. “When they have a new product to run, these tools can help customers estimate the thread size required to achieve a desired coat weight, change a metering rod size based on real-world results, and much more. They are an easy way to decide on a good starting point for size selection.”
Buschman Rod Coating Calculators Consider Most Important Factors in Rod Size Selection
Wet film thickness and dry coat weight are the two most common metrics customers use to determine if they are applying the right amount of coating. Thread size directly affects both these variables. By using these three factors, a customer should be able to determine the relation between thread size and whatever finished coating metrics they are looking to achieve.
Buschman’s new calculators are intended to help customers consider these factors when evaluating the potential proper rod for their application. Calculators include:
- Estimate Wet Film Thickness based on Thread Size
- Estimate Wet Film Thickness based on Dry Coat Weight
- Estimate Dry Coat Weight based on Thread Size
- Estimate Dry Coat Weight based on Wet Film Thickness
- Estimate Coating Application Volume based on Thread Size
- Estimate Thread Size based on Wet Film Thickness
- Estimate Thread Size based on Dry Coat Weight
- Estimate Thread Size based on Coating Application Volume
- Weight (Coating or Basis) Converter
- Estimate new Thread Size based on Current Coating Results
- Wet Film Scraper Measurement
Buschman’s metering rod experts use the exact same calculations to determine a starting point when working with a new customer or an existing customer who is working on a new product. The Buschman team then applies results from product trials to finetune the rod to the exact size needed for the customer’s specifications.
Calculators Intended for Reference Only; Consult with Buschman to Determine Optimal Rod Size
Buschman has provided the new Rod Coating Calculators for reference purposes only. While the calculators are designed for any type of rod coating application, it’s important to remember that they are all theoretical and actual results will vary based on a wide range of application parameters.
“Every coating operation is different and there are many application variables that can and will affect performance,” DeFelice explains. “Data from the calculators should be considered a starting point for real-world trials, which should be performed in close partnership with the metering rod supplier. For true optimization, we strongly advise customers to work directly with us to determine the best size and profile. These tools only help with size selection.”