An applicator for dispensing a viscous material from a container. The applicator comprises a nozzle for fluid communication with the container. The nozzle has an outlet at a first end and base in proximity to an opposed second end. The nozzle further includes a support arm spaced apart from the nozzle. The support arm and the nozzle collectively forming a slot therebetween for releasably receiving a blade. An attachment portion extend from the base and is configured to releasably engage the container to permit material within the container to flow under pressure through the nozzle and onto a surface. When the blade is received within the slot, it contacts the material as it exits the nozzle and assists in forming the material into a desired shape or configuration.

A fluidized-bed coating method includes: immersing at least part of a workpiece in a powder coating material contained in a fluidized-bed vessel while air is introduced from a bottom of the fluidized-bed vessel at an average air flow rate of 5 mm/min or higher and 20 mm/min or lower per unit area of the bottom so that a floating ratio of the powder coating material is 5% or higher and 20% or lower, the workpiece having a temperature higher than or equal to a softening temperature of the powder coating material and lower than or equal to a melting temperature of the powder coating material; taking the workpiece out of the powder coating material; and heating the powder coating material attached to the workpiece.

A system for coating of a donor material onto a laser radiation transparent substrate, the system including a donor material applicator, applying donor material to the laser radiation transparent substrate, a multi-pass precise donor material thickness determiner for providing a desired thickness of the donor material on the laser radiation transparent substrate and including a linearly displaceable blade support, a layer thickness uniformizing blade lockably pivotably mounted onto the linearly displaceable blade support about a pivot axis, the blade having a straight edge and a blade position maintainer operative for maintaining the straight edge at a desired separation distance from the laser radiation transparent substrate, the separation distance being uniform along the straight edge of the layer thickness uniformizing blade.

An applicator for dispensing a viscous material from a container. The applicator comprises a nozzle for fluid communication with the container. The nozzle has an outlet at a first end and base in proximity to an opposed second end. The nozzle further includes a support arm spaced apart from the nozzle. The support arm and the nozzle collectively forming a slot therebetween for releasably receiving a blade. An attachment portion extend from the base and is configured to releasably engage the container to permit material within the container to flow under pressure through the nozzle and onto a surface. When the blade is received within the slot, it contacts the material as it exits the nozzle and assists in forming the material into a desired shape or configuration.

A doctor blade is disclosed that includes a blade surface and at least one shaped feature that is formed of a polymeric material and is provided to assist in maintaining the doctor blade with a doctor blade holder.

The disclosure relates to a spreading unit having a shaper for spreading viscous material, in particular sealing material, on a component, wherein the shaper has a first shaping contour for shaping the viscous material in the process of the spreading, wherein at least a second shaping contour of the shaper for shaping the viscous material can be brought by means of an actuator, in a direction of spreading, into superimposition with the first shaping contour, so that a shape of the shaper is adjustable during an application process.

A doctor blade, intended for a doctor blade chamber (6) for a flexography printing unit (1) equipped with a screened cylinder (4), presents in the form of a rectangular blade, with a functional longitudinal side (34) of which a longitudinal edge is capable of making contact with the screened cylinder (4), a longitudinal fastening side (33) and two lateral sides (36, 37).

The doctor blade comprises at least one opening located towards the functional longitudinal side (34) and towards the first of the two lateral sides (36, 37).

A fluidized-bed coating method includes: immersing at least part of a workpiece in a powder coating material contained in a fluidized-bed vessel while air is introduced from a bottom of the fluidized-bed vessel at an average air flow rate of 5 mm/min or higher and 20 mm/min or lower per unit area of the bottom so that a floating ratio of the powder coating material is 5% or higher and 20% or lower, the workpiece having a temperature higher than or equal to a softening temperature of the powder coating material and lower than or equal to a melting temperature of the powder coating material; taking the workpiece out of the powder coating material; and heating the powder coating material attached to the workpiece.

A blade attachment tool includes a first support member supported by a pressing support portion supporting a blade formed of an elastic member configured to wipe/scrape liquid/solids spreading on an abutment surface by being pressed against the abutment surface and being long in one direction such that the blade is pressed against the abutment surface with a predetermined pressing force, a second support member supported to swing about a swing shaft extending in a longitudinal direction of the blade with respect to the first support member and configured such that a base end side of the blade is attached thereto, and an energizing member configured to apply a reaction force to a friction force that causes the second support member to swing about the swing shaft with respect to the first support member when the blade is pressed against the abutment surface to slide relatively to the abutment surface.

An additive layer manufacturing apparatus comprising a doctor blade (57) having a tip (51) which, in use, is arranged proximal to a material layer (59) to be recoated during an additive layer manufacturing method, the doctor blade (57) having a cavity (50) with an inlet and an outlet, the outlet located at the tip (51) and the inlet connectable to an air supply (53) whereby air can be directed through the cavity (50) to the outlet and onto a surface (59a) of the material layer (59).