During electrostatic flocking millions of flock fibers are applied in an electrical field onto a substrate coated with adhesive. The adhesive layer thickness must not be too thin, so the flock fibers can be adequately anchored. Application of the adhesive is done through rolling, painting, spraying, immersion, screen printing or pad printing. The flock fibers are applied using dosing boxes, electrostatic-pneumatic applicators or hand applicators.
The field lines ensure that the fibers are aligned vertically. This creates a uniform, textile surface. Modern adhesives ensure that the locking is very durable and resistant to abrasion. Depending on the thickness and length of the fiber, from a velvety to a hard, abrasive surface can be made, corresponding to the desired function, look or feel.
Manual applicators are often used in T-shirt flocking or small series. An electrode under high-voltage is inside of the applicator. The cover of the applicator is a plastic sieve. The flock is located between the plastic sieve and the electrode and is dosed through the sieve through gentle shaking. Suitable devices are MINI Flocker Evo and the EASY Flocker
Electrostatic-pneumatic flocking
Three-dimensional components, e.g. passenger car glove boxes, are flocked electro-pneumatically. Here the flock fibers are blown with a fan by an electrode that is under high-voltage. This charges the flock fibers. This can be done both manually and robot controlled. A suitable device is the AIR Flocker Pro
Flat surface flocking with dosing boxes
In surface flocking, the flock fibers are in a dosing box which is insulated installed and has an electrically conductive flat sieve. The flat sieve is connected to the high voltage supply and thus forms the high voltage electrode. The workpiece to be flocked is coated with an adhesive forms is grounded. For example, the flock fibers are dosed through the flat sieve with a rotating brush and jump back and forth in the electrical field until they are anchored in the adhesive. In surface flocking, e.g. carpets or MDF panels are flocked.
