LAB LINE DRYERS

Customers routinely want a lab line drying system to test and develop new products and materials while simulating a production-line environment. ASI designs and manufactures lab lines that allow customers to perfect their products and processes prior to going into full production. We understand that a lab dryer must be able to perform over a wide range of operating parameters and conditions. To this end, we have designed lab lines that have the ability to: 

• operate under a wide range of temperatures;

• change the type of AirBar used to dry the web;

• dry a moving web or stationary hand sheets; and

• simulate a production environment with conveyor steering and tension controls.   

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ASI's AirBars

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AirBar design is one of the most important aspects to dryer performance and choosing the correct AirBar is a critical step in every dryer design. ASI has designed and developed over two dozen AirBars that are tailored to specific drying environments, products, and criteria. AirBar selection is based on multiple process variables, including line tension, web porosity, web weight, temperature sensitivity, coating characteristics, and solvent volatility.

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Our AirBars include:

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• slot nozzles - impingement-style AirBars for high heat and mass transfer applications;

• hole bars - impingement-style AirBars that supply dilution air for slower drying applications;

• airfoils - flotation AirBars that can be mounted above or below the web to provide unparalleled lift or hold-down force and can be used:

  • with low web tensions without web flutter; and

  • for single sided web flotation;

• dual purpose AirBars - ASI's impingement-style slot nozzles combined with a moveable wing to convert to a dilution-style AirBar; and

• BW-style AirBars - flotation AirBars that can float the heaviest of webs and can be mounted above or below the web to provide high heat and mass transfer.