Adhesive Applications continues to invest in advanced coating technology to deliver higher performance, greater efficiency, and more sustainable solutions for our customers. The newest addition to our manufacturing capabilities is our UV Hot Melt Coater, representing a major step forward in precision coating, product versatility, and environmental responsibility. With this new 63-inch (1600 mm) heated slot die coating line, Adhesive Applications strengthens its position as a flexible, innovation-driven adhesive coating partner.
Expanding Our Coating Platform
Adhesive Applications now operates three coating lines designed to support diverse chemistries, substrates, and end-use markets. The addition of Coater #4 – UV Hot Melt enhances our capabilities beyond traditional solvent-borne and water-borne systems:
- 100% solids hot melt system
- Heated slot die coating line
- Designed for acrylic and rubber PSA chemistries
- Equipped with UV curing capability
This investment allows us to deliver thicker coatings, improved performance properties, and more environmentally responsible manufacturing.
| Coater #1 | Coater #2 | Coater #4 | |
| Coating Method | Reverse roll | Reverse roll | Heated slot die |
| Width | Maximum 63” | Maximum 63” | Maximum 63” |
| Adhesive Type | Solvent-borne Water-borne | Solvent-borne | Hot Melt |
| Adhesives | Acrylic, Rubber | Silicone, Acrylic, Rubber | Acrylic, Rubber |
| Coating Thickness | 1.0 – 6.0 mil (25 – 150μm) | 0.5 – 6.0 mil (12 – 150μm) | 0.5- 10 mil (12.7 – 250 μm) |
| Curing | 3 zone oven | 3 zone oven (high heat capability) | Ultraviolet (UV) |
| Quality Assurance | Beta gauge thickness monitoring | Infrared (IR) thickness monitoring | Infrared (IR) thickness monitoring |
| Other features | Zone coating capability Inline corona treatment Substrate lamination Large diameter turret rewind | Inline corona treatment Mayer rod / gravure coating Inline slitting/edge trimming Turret rewind | Dry end corona treatment Turret rewind Zone coating capability Substrate lamination |
| Substrates | Polyethylene (PE) foam Polyester (PET) film Tissue Scrim Fabric | Silicone Polyester (PET) film Polyimide film Metal foil Fabric | Polyethylene (PE) foam Polyester (PET) film Tissue Scrim |
Precision Through Heated Slot Die Technology
At the core of our UV Hot Melt is a heated slot die coating system, engineered for superior uniformity and process control.
Coating Capabilities:
- Thickness range: 0.5 mil to 10 mil (12.7 μm to 250 μm)
- Width: 63 inches (1600 mm)
The system incorporates a closed-loop thickness control system using a traversing infrared gauge and precision pump regulation, ensuring tight cross-web coat weight tolerances. Additionally, a custom-machined shim system enables machine-direction zone coating with dry lanes—opening new product design possibilities for customers requiring patterned adhesive applications.
Advanced Adhesive Chemistry Capabilities
The UV Hot Melt Coater is designed to process:
- Acrylic PSA (100% solids)
- Rubber PSA (100% solids)
- Heat-activated adhesives
To prevent cross-contamination between chemistries, the system includes dual dispensing equipment, allowing seamless changeover between rubber and acrylic adhesives. For acrylic systems, UV crosslinking replaces traditional thermal curing. This offers significant advantages:
- Enables thicker coatings
- Allows coating of temperature-sensitive substrates
- Provides controlled crosslink density
- Improves chemical and shear resistance
- Eliminates long thermal oven dwell times
Sustainability Without Compromise
One of the most significant advantages of the UV Hot Melt Coater is its environmental profile.
Hot melt coating:
- Uses 100% solids formulations
- Eliminates organic solvents
- Reduces emissions and regulatory burden
This investment reflects Adhesive Applications’ commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing while improving production efficiency.
Broad Substrate & Product Versatility
The new coater supports a wide range of substrates and constructions:
Substrates
- Polyethylene (PE) Foam (1/32” to 1/8”)
- Polyester Film (PET)
- Tissue and Crepe Paper
- Polyolefin Films, Scrim, and others
What This Means for Our Customers
The UV Hot Melt Coater allows Adhesive Applications to deliver:
- Faster Development Cycles
- Slot die precision and UV curing shorten development timelines and enable rapid scaling.
- Slot die precision and UV curing shorten development timelines and enable rapid scaling.
- Higher Performance Products
- UV crosslinked acrylics and controlled hot melt processing improve shear strength, temperature resistance, and durability.
- UV crosslinked acrylics and controlled hot melt processing improve shear strength, temperature resistance, and durability.
- Greater Design Flexibility
- Zone coating, thicker adhesive builds, and compatibility with foam and film substrates unlock new engineered tape constructions.
- Zone coating, thicker adhesive builds, and compatibility with foam and film substrates unlock new engineered tape constructions.
- Sustainable Manufacturing
- Solvent-free processing reduces environmental impact while improving operational efficiency.
Investing in the Future
Adhesive Applications built its reputation on highly adaptable equipment, agile and responsive process development, and carefully balanced production systems—allowing us to pivot quickly, customize solutions efficiently, and scale with speed to meet evolving customer demands.
The addition of the UV Hot Melt Coater strengthens that foundation and positions us to meet the evolving needs of OEM, industrial, automotive, electronics, and specialty tape markets. The UV Hot Melt Coater is more than a new coating line—it is a strategic investment in innovation, sustainability, and customer partnership.
Adhesive Applications is ready to help you engineer the next generation of adhesive tape solutions. Customer Applications Drive Us.