Topic: coil coating process, coat aluminium strip, strip coating, pretreat aluminium coils, in-line atmospheric-pressure plasma technology
Griesser AG: World premiere - Openair plasma in coil coating
The plasma installation which is only 2 m wide replaces a 21 m long cleaning line and hence tons of chemicals.
For Griesser AG, one of Europe’s leading suppliers and manufacturers of sunshade systems, it is extremely important to be able themselves to coat the aluminium strip needed for the production of roller blinds and shutters by what is known as the coil coating process. Only in this way can Griesser effectively implement its “1,000 colour strategy” for its customers (delivery of minimum quantities at short notice and at competitive prices).
After a development and test phase lasting more than four years a new strip coating plant with integrated Openair plasma pretreatment was brought on stream in June 2007. Due to the use for the first time in the world of Openair plasma pretreatment in-line in a coil coating plant it is possible to pretreat the aluminium coils very efficiently, at low cost and in a manner that is absolutely compatible with the environment.
The results of pretreatment exhibit a striking improvement in hydrophilic properties in comparison with the wet chemical process. In the latter case the wetting contact angle is about 48 – 52°, while after treatment with Openair plasma it is only about 18 – 28°.
The use of this atmospheric-pressure plasma technology in the coil coating process benefits not only production but it is advantageous primarily to members of staff and to the environment. At Griesser the Openair installation replaces a cleaning line approximately 21 m long, i.e. countless tons of chemicals and process effluent in the works will be completely eliminated with immediate effect.
We are happy to have been part of a development that combines economic efficiency and environmental considerations in the best possible way.
Peter Schüpbach
Technical Director
Member of the Board of Management
Griesser AG / Switzerland
