Any coating equipment in which the thickness of application is controlled by means of an angled blade which doctors off excess color and smooths the surface.
Definition source:
EN 9
Context:
Different types of coaters are used within the papermaking industry, but it is generally accepted that the highest quality coated paper surface is that obtained using a blade coater. The blade of this type coater scrapes or “doctors” off excess coating to leave a smooth, glossy surface on the paper sheet. Any imperfection in the blade or its working edge will cause scratches and/or a nonuniform application of the coating. Also, because the coating itself contains abrasive particles, the coater blade edge is subjected to continuous and adverse wear. Therefore, in order to maintain sheet quality, the coater blades on a papermachine must be changed out at regular intervals.
