The web coating process is a complicated, technically sophisticated process that has many basic modules, unwind roll, transport roll, prepare coating solution, coating application, dry coated film, online process control, optimize coating solution, and coating line process control. All of these are technically complex and must function together for an effective process and one module should not limit process capability. It is also a process in which the US has excellent rapidly advancing technology that continues to produce products that are globally competitive.
A key reason for the growth and maintenance of this technology is the availability of continuing education programs that train new participants in the fundamental principles of the technology and provide current participants with information o the latest technology developments and information
AIMCAL has been a leader in providing educational by providing four different approaches, Continuing Education Courses, Webinars, CEMA Fundamentals Seminars and Blogs:
The AIMCAL Continuing Education Course Program stated in 2002, with the following 15 courses:
• Web Handling
•Technical Management
•Introductory courses on Vacuum Coatings Film Substrates and Web Coating
• Intermediate courses Coating Solutions, Gravure Coating
and Radiant Heat in the Web Dryer
This program has been run every year since 2002 and has evolved into the current Converting School Program of 14 courses. For a list of currently scheduled courses see http://www.aimcal.org/events/converting-school.aspx
The CEMA section of AIMCAL also presents yearly seminars on Web Converting Technology. These seminars give an introduction to all phases of the basic converting process technology. These are 2-day seminars on the following topics:
• Coating & Laminating Fundamentals for Convertors
• Slitting& Rewinding Fundamentals for Convertors
For a list of currently scheduled CEMA Seminars see www.aimcal.org/events/cema-fundamentals-seminars.aspx
The third AIMCAL educational activity is the Webinar series, which presents lectures on a wide variety of Web Coating Technologies. Among the topics presented are starting in 2009 were:
• Increasing Energy Efficiency in the Web Coating Process
• New Automatic Inspection Technology, The Confluence of Lasers and Cameras
• Role of Modeling in the Coating and Drying Process
To see currently scheduled Webinars go to: www.aimcal.org/technical-resources/webinars.aspx
There are also several AIMCAL Blog, Websites that contains technical information provided by the by AIMCAL Technical Advisory Panel members. Specific Blogs are:
• Vacuum Web Coating
• Web Coating
• Web Handling & converting
• Substrate secrets
• Drives for Web Handling