Airing Out the Options

Flotation dryers

Converters producing coated web products are turning to air flotation dryers because of their efficiency, final product quality, and relatively low-cost operation versus roll support dryers.

Litzler explains that the moving coated web in a flotation dryer is supported on a cushion of heated air emitted from a series of airbars above and below the web. Stable flotation is achieved because the positive pressure pad of the nozzles reacts against the vertical components of web tension and weight. “Staggered air bars form a sine wave in the web, which eliminates edge curl while providing web transport without contact,” he concludes.