Apparatus for Manufacturing A Catalyst Coated Membrane

Manufacture of a catalyst coated membrane in which an electrocatalyst layer is formed on a surface of an elongated ion-conducting membrane, using a suction roller 10, a porous base material supply roller 20 and collection roller 30, an ion-conducting membrane supply roller 40 and collection roller 50, and an application device 60 for applying an electrocatalyst layer ink onto the surface of the ion-conducting membrane located around the suction roller. The porous base material is provided between the outer surface of the suction roller and the ion-conducting membrane during application of the electrocatalyst ink layer. A porous base material guide unit 70 operable to align the porous base material separated from the outer surface of the suction roller before collection on the porous base material collection roller is also provided. The ion-conducting membrane may be provided on a support film, which is collected after coating on a support film collection roller 80, possibly via a support film guide unit. The one or more guide units may be selected from displacement web guides, steering guides or terminal guides, and may be configured for edge guiding, optionally using an ultrasonic edge sensor.