Static Control for Metallized Webs or Insulating Webs

Static Control for Metallized Webs or Insulating Webs with Conductive Layers • Presented by: Kelly Robinson, PE, Ph. D Electrostatic Answers AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 1/19

Agenda 1. Introduction Ø Static control is important Ø Static dissipators (powered static bars & passive brushes, tinsel, etc. ) are ineffective on webs with conductive layers. 2. Best Practice Static Control – Web with conductive layers Ø Mechanical Guards for Static Bars Ø “Safe Edges” Ø “Bus Bars” 3. “Static Splices” for Metallized Webs 4. Summary AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 2/19

1. Controlling static is important! 1. Eliminate ignitions. 3. 2. Prevent shocks. Minimize deposition of airborne contaminates AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 3/19

1. Controlling static is important! Image courtesy of 5. PSA Label Prevent static problems in customer applications (sheet sticking, process jams). Release liner 4. Prevent spark damage to sensitive coatings such as silicone release liners. (Sparks damage the coatings allowing PSA labels to stick to liners). AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 4/19

1. Static dissipators - Insulating webs Static charges on the insulating web attract oppositely charged corona ions generated by the static dissipator. AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 5/19

1. Static dissipators – Webs with Conductive Layers Electric fields from static charges on the web extend only to the conductive layer. Corona ions generated by the static bar are not attracted by the static charges on the web. AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 6/19

Agenda 1. Introduction Ø Static control is important Ø Static dissipators (powered static bars & passive brushes, tinsel, etc. ) are ineffective on webs with conductive layers. 2. Best Practice Static Control – Web with conductive layers Ø Mechanical Guards for Static Bars Ø “Safe Edges” Ø “Bus Bars” 3. “Static Splices” for Metallized Webs 4. Summary AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 7/19

2. Static Control – Summary Static control for webs with conductive layers depends on 3 key parameters. AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 8/19

2. Best Practice Static Control – Web with Insulating Areas Static can accumulate on insulating areas of the web. Use static dissipators to neutralize static in insulating areas. AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 9/19

2. Best Practice Static Control – Guard Static Bars Mechanical guard static bars below the web so that the web does not drape across the static bar when web tension is lost. AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 10/19

2. Best Practice Static Control – Buried Conductive Layer Design products with buried conductive layers to have “Safe Edges” of at least 10 mm. AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 11/19

2. Best Practice Static Control –Webs with Conductive Traces / Patterns Design products with conductive traces / patterns with “Bus Bars. ” AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 12/19

Agenda 1. Introduction Ø Static control is important Ø Static dissipators (powered static bars & passive brushes, tinsel, etc. ) are ineffective on webs with conductive layers. 2. Best Practice Static Control – Web with conductive layers Ø Mechanical Guards for Static Bars Ø “Safe Edges” Ø “Bus Bars” 3. “Static Splices” for Metallized Webs 4. Summary AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 13/19

3. “Static Splices” for Metallized Webs Sparks can occur at splices in metallized webs. AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 14/19

3. “Static Splices” for Metallized Webs Concept – “Static Splice” AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 15/19

3. “Static Splices” for Metallized Webs Make a strong splice AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 16/19

3. “Static Splices” for Metallized Webs Static Splice – cross-section AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 17/19

4. Summary 1. Introduction Ø Static control is important Ø Static dissipators (powered static bars & passive brushes, tinsel, etc. ) are ineffective on webs with conductive layers. 2. Best Practice Static Control – Web with conductive layers Ø Use static dissipators to neutralize static on insulating areas Ø Mechanical Guards for Static Bars Ø “Safe Edges” Ø “Bus Bars” 3. “Static Splices” for Metallized Webs AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 18/19

Thank-you! QUESTIONS ? Ø Ø Ø Static dissipators are ineffective on webs with conductive layers. Use static dissipators to neutralize static on insulating areas Mechanical Guards for Static Bars “Safe Edges” “Bus Bars” “Static Splices” AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 19/19

Speaker Introduction Kelly Robinson, PE, Ph. D Owner – Electrostatic Answers LLC Kelly. Robinson@Electrostatic. Answers. com 585 -425 -8158 • www. Electrostatic. Answers. com • Business Owner - Founded Electrostatic Answers, an engineering consulting company dedicated to eliminating injury and waste from static electricity. • Industrial Experience – working over 25 years solving static problems in web conveyance and solvent handling manufacturing operations. • Award Winning Engineer US Nat’l Fire Protection Assoc. (NFPA), Chair - Static Electricity Committee IEEE Fellow - “for contributions to electrostatic performance of mfg. processes” Electrostatics Society of America - Distinguished Service Award AIMCAL - John Matteucci Award, excellence in technical presentations Ph. D Electrical Engineering - Colorado State University • Inventor with 14 US patents. • Associate Editor for the Journal of Electrostatics, a leading peer reviewed journal (Elsevier publication) • Contributing Editor, Paper Film & Foil Converter, author of “Static Beat” column on static control. AIMCAL R 2 R Conference K. Robinson Static Control 20/19