Analytical prediction for multiple roll systems with negative gaps

Multiple roll coaters with deformable rolls are widely spread for the coating of thin liquid films with a wet film thickness of only a few microns and below on continuous substrates. The presented analytical solution for multiple roll systems offers for the first time the possibility to predict the performance of multiple roll coaters with a nip feed system and negative gaps. The solution is based on a previously presented solution of the authors for roll pairs and extended to multiple roll systems. The results are validated with experimental data from literature and the main influencing factors of multiple roll systems are investigated. (© 2014 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)