Porous Air Bearing Techniques for Contactless Handling, Flattening and Stabilization of Webs

Presented by Teunis van Dam, IBS Precision Engineering

In roll-to-roll processes for printed electronics, avoiding web contact is critical to reduce damage and contamination. Experiments on newly developed cylindrical air bearings demonstrate that a stiff < 0.1 mm air layer can be realized to support webs, proving the feasibility of contactless handling without losing web control. Air bearings are also introduced as a novel way of generating a very flat web (<5 μm deviation over 55 mm in machine direction) which is critical for printing, drying and inspection processes.