Method of improving coating uniformity
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsJames M. Nelson, Raghunath Padiyath, Robert B. Secor, Mark J. Stevenson, Michael J. Tichy, Robert A. Yapel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention is a method of forming extrudate having substantially uniform thickness. A shim is formed which has a thickness variation of less than or equal to about 0.5 mil (13 microns) total indicated runout. This shim is disposed between a first die portion having a first surface and a second die portion having a second surface. A slot is formed between the first surface and the second surface. The slot has a height dimension substantially the same as the shim thickness. Flowable material is extruded through the slot.
Claims22
A method for forming extrudate having substantially uniform thickness comprising:
- forming a shim with a thickness variation of less than about 5 percent for a shim having an average thickness of about 30 mil (762 microns) or less;
- disposing the shim between a first die portion having a first surface and a second die portion having a second surface, so as to form a slot between the first surface and the second surface, the slot having a height dimension substantially the same as the shim thickness;
- and
- extruding flowable material through the slot.
A method for extruding comprising:
- forming a shim with a varying thickness profile;
- disposing the shim in a die, between a first die portion having a first surface and a second die portion having a second surface, so as to form a slot between the first surface and the second surface, the slot having a varying height dimension, which substantially corresponds to the shim profile;
- extruding flowable material through the slot;
- and
- wherein varying the shim profile compensates for variations in at least one of the material fluid rheology, flow rates of material through the die, shape of a manifold in the die and slot design of the die to obtain extrudate having substantially uniform thickness.
The method for extruding uniform extrudate comprising:
- disposing standoffs between a first die portion and a second die portion in a die so as to form a recess between the first die portion and the second die portion;
- extending a fastener through the recess;
- providing a clamping force between the first die portion and the second die portion utilizing the fastener;
- supportably engaging the fastener with a first bracket;
- distributing at least a portion of the clamping force of the fastener through the first bracket;
- and
- minimizing the bending of the first die portion.
A method for extruding uniform extrudate comprising:
- disposing standoffs between a first die portion and a second die portion in a die so as to form a recess between the first die portion and the second die portion;
- extending a fastener between the first die portion and the second die portion such that the fastener does not extend through the recess;
- and
- utilizing the fastener to provide a clamping force between the top die portion and the bottom die portion.
A method for forming extrudate having substantially uniform thickness comprising:
- forming a shim with a thickness variation of about 5 percent or less for a shim having an average thickness of about 30 mil (762 microns) or less;
- disposing the shim between a first die portion having a first surface and a second die portion having a second surface, so as to form a slot between the first surface and the second surface, the slot having a height dimension substantially the same as the shim thickness;
- disposing standoffs between the first die portion and the second die portion so as to form a recess between the first die portion and the second die portion;
- extending two fasteners through the recess;
- providing a clamping force between the first die portion and the second die portion utilizing the fasteners;
- supportably engaging the fasteners with a first bracket;
- distributing at least a portion of the clamping force of the fasteners through the first bracket so as to minimize the bending of the first die portion;
- wherein the height of the slot has a total indicated runout of about 4 microns or less along the width of the slot;
- and
- extruding flowable material through the slot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.