Ossila Slot-Die Coater
User Manual
Ossila.com
14
Ossila Limited © 2019
6.6
Operational Safety
Any procedure involving the slot-die coater should have a suitable operating procedure, risk
assessment and COSHH form(s) to ensure that the user is aware of the potential hazards inherent to
the work they are undertaking. The following are safety points that should be noted by the user
before any procedure is undertaken with the slot-die coater.
6.6.1
Pinch Points
Both the syringe pump and the moving stage present the risk of pinch points to the user. It
is recommended that any loose articles of clothing and hair are tied back and secured
before using the system. In addition, we recommend that users do not place their hands
near the moving sections when programs are running or when there is manual movement
of the syringe pump or the stage.
6.6.2
Hot Plate
The hot plate can be programmed to reach temperatures as high as 120°C. When the
temperature is above 50°C, extreme care should be taken when placing and removing
substrates. In addition, risk assessments should consider potential fire hazards that can
occur when heating solvents to high temperatures. Many common solvents used within
laboratories have a flash point below 120°C, leading to the risk of ignition. Adjust
experimental parameters to reduce risk of solvent combustion.
6.6.3
Sources of Ignition
Solvents can often be heated beyond their flash point, where any source of ignition can
ignite the solvent. To minimize this risk users should ensure that no sources of ignition are
placed close to the slot-die coating system.
6.6.4
Fire Hazard
In the unlikely situation where solvents on the hotplate have ignited, the system is
designed to contain any solvents either on the hotplate itself or on the baseplate below.
This is to stop the spread of fire. Users are also recommended to leave at least 30 cm of
space surrounding the entire system, and 1 m above the system, free from any other
objects to reduce the possibility of the fire spreading.
7.
Maintenance
7.1
Cleaning
Maintenance consists of periodic cleaning. The exterior of the instrument can be wiped with
a clean, dry cloth to remove any oil, grease or dirt. Small amounts of solvent can be used to
clean the stage and head once it has cooled to room temperature.
