Why do I need a pilot coating line?

There are any number of reasons why a company might set up a pilot coating line. These reasons typically include a need to: 1. develop a new coating process or product, 2. optimize an existing coating process, 3. troubleshoot a process, 4. run preliminary checks on raw material lots or batches, and 5. manufacture a narrow web or expensive, small-volume product. Manufacturing groups often want to optimize a current process to improve quality or yields. They also might want to troubleshoot problems without interrupting the manufacturing process. This can often be done on a pilot line at lower cost and with less time. Today's computerized data collection and analysis systems are well worth considering as part of the specification for a new pilot line. Signals such as web temperatures, fluid flow, coating weight and web tension are among the parameters often recorded. Today's instrument technology and computer modeling make it possible to significantly improve the ability for transition from pilot to manufacturing with little effort.