Smooth Fuse SF12
User information sheets
Product: Smooth Fuse SF12
Uses
Smooth Fuse SF12 is primarily formulated to clean and lubricate PTFE and metal surfaces of conveyor laminating machines and other equipment used for bonding dry adhesive powders, film/webs. Polyester, polyamide and other adhesives used in dry adhesive powders, film/webs become molten when subjected to heat. For a variety of reasons it is common for some of the adhesive or substrate particles to be misplaced during the process. This adheres to conveyor belt or platen surfaces, to scraper blades, wiper/cleaning devices of laminating, powder coating and other types of bonding machines. The gradual build up of contamination on conveyor and metal surfaces can eventually cause production slow downs or stoppages, increased wastage and damage, mechanical/ technical problems and disruption to the smooth running of the production process.
Smooth Fuse SF12 is designed to clean surfaces contaminated with adhesive and residue, to act as a preventative agent by lubricating surfaces likely to become contaminated and to loosen hard compacted residue. When used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions Smooth Fuse SF12 will: -
· Reduce maintenance and down time associated with adhesive contamination
of laminating surfaces
· Reduce substrate sticking problems caused by contaminated laminating
surfaces.
· Reduce wastage from substrate contamination from dirty laminating
surfaces.
· Help to extend PTFE surface conveyor belt and cover life
· Reduce the number of servicing and maintenance problems
· Reduce machine stoppages
· Facilitate special bonding applications
One of the unique features of Smooth Fuse SF12 is as a preventative solution & it can also be used continuously while the laminating operations are taking place.
How to use Smooth Fuse SF12
Section 1. As a preventative barrier lubricant for clean laminating surfaces
One of the most effective and unique cleaning/lubricating properties of Smooth Fuse SF12 is the barrier it creates between potential adhesive contamination and the PTFE coated surfaces of laminating machine conveyor belts and platen covers. This barrier reduces the amount of adhesive sticking to the conveyor belts/platens and reduces the amount of hard residue left after the belts/platens cool down. The Smooth Fuse SF12 barrier also helps to avoid adhesive contamination building up on scrapers and other sections of the laminating machine. This preventative barrier works most effectively if belts and platen surfaces are kept free from contamination by ensuring that, using the machine’s wiper systems or by hand, the residue is cleaned from belts/platens as the adhesive is released. It is important therefore that the cleaning systems and surfaces are regularly inspected for effective operation. New cleaning material on wiper systems should be regularly exposed.
Action: -
· For a conveyor laminating machine ensure that the cleaning/wiper system has new wiper materials fitted for both upper and lower PTFE belts
· Heat up the laminating machine to normal laminating temperature
(about 150c) and apply a coating of Smooth Fuse SF12 over the full area of
the belts/platen.
· In the case of conveyor machines the cleaning wiper material should
become saturated with Smooth Fuse SF12. The wipers will then continue to apply
a light coating of Smooth Fuse SF12 onto the belts to provide a barrier to
the adhesive while the laminating operations are taking place.
· Where relevant replace wiper substrates and clean scraper blades regularly
· Apply Smooth Fuse SF12 regularly (normally at least hourly) subject
to the amount of adhesive contamination being experienced
Section 2 As a cleaning agent for contaminated conveyor belts and cleaning systems
Action: -
· In the case of a conveyor laminating machine ensure that the cleaning/wiper system of the laminating machine has new wiper material fitted for both upper and lower PTFE belts
· Heat up the laminating machine to normal laminating temperature (about 150c) and apply a coating of Smooth Fuse SF12 over the full area of the belts. (see safety below)
· Allow the machine to run for a few minutes applying more Smooth Fuse SF12 as necessary.
· If the belts are heavily contaminated the wipers may become saturated with adhesive residue quite quickly as Smooth Fuse SF12 releases the contamination. Either a new surface of the wiper substrates needs to be exposed, or new wiper substrates need to be fitted. This will need to be repeated until the belts are clean. (NB. Subject to the type of machine, the cleaning process for PTFE coated belts/platens can be carried out by hand using a rough cloth and insulated gloves. This is often done while the machine is cooling down but the adhesive contamination is still molten or at the end of a production cycle)
· Clean scrapers if the machine is fitted with these.
· When belts are clean replace the wiper material for upper and lower belts.
· While the machine is still hot and running, apply another coating of Smooth Fuse SF12. In the case of conveyor machines the wiper substrates should become saturated with Smooth Fuse SF12. The wipers will then continue to apply a light coating of Smooth Fuse SF12 onto the belts to provide a barrier to the adhesive while the laminating operations are taking place. In the case of platen machines bonding presses Smooth Fuse SF12 can be regularly sprayed directly onto the PTFE surfaces
· Where relevant replace wiper substrates and clean scraper blades regularly
· Apply Smooth Fuse SF12 regularly (normally at least hourly) subject to the amount of adhesive contamination being experienced
Availability Formats for Smooth Fuse SF12
5 litre containers – With or without heavy duty spray applicator
25 litre containers – With or without heavy duty spray applicator (special)
Important
Safety
We recommend avoiding eye and repeated skin contact with Smooth-Fuse. Do not allow skin to come in contact with hot laminating machine surfaces. Use insulated gloves in carrying out any operations referred to in these instructions. Always follow the laminating machine manufacturer’s maintenance and machine operating instructions when carrying out any of the operations above.
NB
Where new untried substrates are to be processed through laminating machines
we recommend that before production commences tests are carried out to ensure
that the new substrates are not effected by Smooth Fuse SF12