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MEX, Switzerland—The new Bobst K5 VISION is a compact vacuum metallizer designed to handle a wide variety of different film types including heat-sensitive films and thin gauge substrates. It can run at speeds up to 2,755 feet per minute, is available in widths from 49 inches to 96 inches and can house roll diameters of up to 39 inches.

The machine incorporates a coating drum that’s meant to increase aluminium collection efficiency by up to 16 percent and result in less consumables, an extended boat life and a 10-15 percent energy reduction. It also is meant to provide better film cooling due to the increased surface area of the drum; additional cooling is also given by the 2-zone gas wedge.

Bobst reports that the powerful evaporation source with a staggered ceramic boat arrangement is meant to provide excellent coating uniformity. It also incorporates easy access to clean the boats and aluminium spools mounted on a removable trolley for easy changing; the full width viewing windows give an improved view of the source and the metallization process.

The K5 VISION pumping group has a compact design with shorter pipe length, which is meant to give a low footprint; it comprises of dry rotary screw pumps with a consistently high vacuum performance, booster pumps that operate at double the normal speed for maximum efficiency and floor mounted diffusion pumps located underneath the evaporation zone, eliminating the risk for backstreaming of oil on to the film.

Bobst further reports that the K5 VISION incorporates the Bobst ECO Mode, which is meant to reduce energy consumption by up to 50 percent during standby, only delivering energy and cooling water when needed to reduce carbon footprint and save production costs.

Bobst’s winding mechanism incorporates a six-drive system, giving three independent tension control zones. It provides low tension winding with adjustable bowed rollers to produce a virtually wrinkle-free metallization process and an optional pre-drum vari bow for better handling of thinner substrates, Bobst reports. 

The K5 VISION can handle a wide range of substrates including thin gauge films, according to Bobst, and enables quick changeover of different film types. It is also able to handle heat-sensitive films such as CPP and PE.