“Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication.” — Leonardo Da Vinci
Steve Jobs, the late co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc. loved a simple design. He told Sir Walter Isaacson, the author of his autobiography, “I love it when you can bring really great design and simple capability to something that doesn’t cost much,”
Apple’s design philosophy has always been based on simplicity. Jobs said, “It takes a lot of hard work to make something simple, to truly understand the underlying challenges and come up with elegant solutions.”
Why is simplicity in design so special? A simple design has several advantages over a complicated design. It is easier to understand, cheaper to make, and easier to maintain and repair.
The Datco Adhesive Roll Coaters follow this method, and that’s what makes Datco superior to competitors.
Datco’s Simple Design
In 1995, Frank Gross leveraged his wealth of experience in the hot melt business to found Datco Inc. At his company, packaging and product assembly were his primary target markets. From the outset, his goal was always to provide the highest quality and lowest cost adhesive applicators in the industry, and it still is.
All Datco’s adhesive roll coaters are built using stock, readily available hardware components allowing users to maintain their machines by purchasing service parts locally. The result is reduced downtime which translates into higher operator efficiency and increased productivity.
Datco Makes Both Hot and Cold Roll Applicators
Hot Roll Adhesive Coaters
Datco makes a “Basic” and a “Full-Feature” hot roll coater. The roll and the reservoir are identical in both models but offers different temperature controls and drives.
Basic Hot Roll
You can buy the basic hot roll machine in 6" or 12" roll lengths.
The basic machine has a very easy to master design. You will find an illuminated main power switch, a switch to turn the motor on and off, and a temperature control knob, ranging from ambient to 450 degrees F. The unit includes a circuit that will not allow the motor to turn on until the temperature you set it for has been reached.
The Basic Hot Roll could not be easier to operate. The operator simply plugs it into a 120-volt outlet, sets the temperature, and switches it on. The motor will function when the set temperature has been reached.
Full-Feature Hot Roll
The Full Hot Roll series that ranges in size from 6″ to 36″ in length includes Delta Microprocessor temperature controls with digital display, Brother International AC gear motors, and Minarik VFD electronic variable frequency (variable speed) drives.
The full-featured hot roll also includes the electronic under-temperature circuit that allows motor operation when the setpoint temperature is reached.
Hot Versa-Roll Series
Datco’s most recent product, the Versa-Roll, was designed with the same simplicity criteria as their other products. Created to compete against other more complex and cumbersome coating systems, it provides a cost-effective alternative that requires less maintenance.
Available in sizes 6 to 50 inches, the Versa-Roll offers several unique features:
- Adjustable Hold-Down Roll accommodates a variety of substrates and permits coating on either side by placing it on the top or bottom of the application roller.
- Electronically Heated Roll that uses a distinctive heating compound to distribute heat along the roll surface evenly.
- Reser-Blade technology combines a heated glue reservoir with a doctor blade, allowing control of adhesive deposition on the roll with just two screws; no doctor roll required.
- Multiple types of adhesive runs are easy. Cleanup is simple by merely removing the Reser-Blade from the control panel to gain access to all parts that have touched the adhesive.
Cold Roll Applicator
While Datco’s origins come from Hot Roll technology, the company has developed and now offers a complete line of cold glue applicators.
Cold Roll coaters are available in sizes from .5" to 36." Designed for use with all types of water-based cold glues, the Datco Cold Roll Coater provides high-quality manufacturing and easy maintenance, making it one of the most reliable cold glue rolls on the market.
The Cold Roll “simple” design beats the competition with superior features. It includes a heavy-duty, brushless, variable speed, A/C motor. There are no exposed gears, belts, or chains. The unit disassembles in minutes without tools for cleaning, and it has a small footprint.
Cold Versa-Roll Series
Just like the Hot Roll line, Datco now offers a Cold Versa-Roll. The design has been modified for cold glue, with the addition of hold rolls for some substrate. For labels, an in-feed table option is available.
Stainless steel rolls from 6-50 inches accommodate a wide range of applications. Two knobs are provided for adjusting the required height between the hold-down roll and the applicator roll. Quick disassembly makes cleaning and maintenance easy.
Final Thoughts on Datco Roll Coaters
While the technology, markets, and products offered by two very distinct companies—Apple Computers and Datco Inc. are very different—one common thread places them in the same category and is, in part, responsible for their success: simplicity of design.