Union Tool FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Union Tool machines and services. If you have a question that you don't see here, ask it with our Contact Form.
Q: What roll configurations are available on Union Tool Roller Coaters?
A: There are eight different roll configurations available. Here's what
they look like, as viewed from the side:
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Double Coater (top and/or bottom)
Model A
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Double Coater (top and/or bottom)
Model B
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In the Model A Double Coater Roll Configuration, the liquid coating is held in the troughs between the coating rolls and their companion doctor rolls, top and bottom.
In the Model B Double Coater Roll Configuration, the liquid coating for the top surface is held in the trough between the top coating roller and its companion doctor roll; the liquid coating for the bottom surface is held in a pan in which the bottom coating roll and its companion doctor roll both run.
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Single Top Coater
Model C
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Single Bottom Coater
Model D
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In the Model C Single Top Coater Roll Configuration, the liquid coating for the top surface is held in the trough between the top coating roller and its companion doctor roll; the bottom roller simply assists in feeding the substrate through the machine.
In the Model D Single Bottom Coater Roll Configuration, the liquid coating for the bottom surface is held in a pan in which the bottom coating roller and its companion doctor roll both run; the top roller simply assists in feeding the substrate through the machine.
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running as
Double Coater (top and/or bottom)
Model A/D
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running as
Single Bottom Coater
Model A/D
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The Model A/D configuration is actually two configurations in one. In
the Model A/D, the top coating roll and its companion doctor roll move
up and down as a unit; there is also a movable backup roll that moves out
of the way when the top coater roll is in the lowered position (in "double
coater" mode), and moves over to take the place of the top coater roll
when it is in the raised position (in "single bottom coater" mode). Changing
modes can be done "on the fly" with the flip of a switch.
In the Model A/D running as a Double Coater Roll Configuration, the
liquid coating for the bottom surface is held in the trough between the
bottom coating roll and its companion doctor roll; the liquid coating
for the top surface is held in the trough between the top coating roll
and its companion doctor roll, which is in the lowered position. In this
mode, the movable backup roll is moved away and does not participate
in the coating operation.
In the Model A/D running as a Single Bottom Coater Roll Configuration, the
top coating roll unit moves up out of the way and the movable backup
roll slides in to take its position; the backup roll simply assists with
moving the substrate through the machine. The liquid coating for the
bottom surface is held in the trough between the bottom coating roll
and its companion doctor roll.
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Single Reverse Action Top Coater
Model C-rev
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Single Top Web Coater
Model C-web
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In the Model C-rev Single Reverse Action Top Coater
Roll Configuration, the liquid coating for the top surface is held
in the trough between the top coating roll and its companion doctor
roll. In this configuration, however, the top coating roll is rotating
against the direction of substrate movement; this is the "reverse
coating action" that results in a very smooth and even coating, which
is especially desired in coating glass and similar substrates. The
bottom roller simply drives the substrate through the
machine.
In the Model C-web Single Top Web Coater Roll Configuration,
which is a special configuration for coating continuous-roll web material,
the liquid coating for the top surface is held in the trough between
the top coating roller and its companion doctor roll; on the bottom,
two tensioning rolls — one behind the coating roll and the other ahead
of the coating roll — apply upward pressure to keep the web material
in proper contact with the coating roll. The tensioning rolls move
up and down to allow for adjustment in the web material tension against the
coating roll; they can also be lowered below the feed path to allow
for the initial threading of the web material through the machine.
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Q: Does Union Tool produce entire processing line systems?
A: Certainly. In fact, many customers who started out with a single
Union Tool machine are now running entire production lines that are
Union Tool from the feeder at the head to the stacker at the tail. For
example, here's what a typical Union Tool coating and laminating line
looks like:
Through the use of flow control conveyor sections, Union Tool systems can be laid out to make the most efficient use of your plant's existing floor space. Electrical, electronic and mechanical controls tie all the individual line components together into a single operational unit.
Q: Does Union Tool assist with the installation and in-plant setup of their systems and machines?
A: Yes. We offer complete on-site and in-plant start-up guidance to assist
each customer with proper installation and operation of new Union Tool
machines and systems. After installation and initial setup, our staff
of field engineers
is available to answer all your questions and solve any problems that
may pop up.
Q: Is any on-site assembly required?
A: No. All new Union Tool machines are shipped and installed fully assembled. Our field engineers work with our customers to set up the equipment when it is delivered, and to integrate it into their existing production facilities.
Q: Do Union Tool machines have a warranty?
A: Yes. All new Union Tool machines carry a full one-year parts and labor warranty.
Q: Does Union Tool allow pre-sale testing?
A: Yes, indeed. For example, we invite all potential roller coater customers to submit both substrate and coating material samples to our Testing Laboratory so they can see the actual coating on their products. Our policy is simple: we're not satisfied until you are.
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