About Maki LLC
Meet Eric Maki
We provide comprehensive support and training on mixing, coating, and drying technologies. Our goal at Maki LLC is to ensure your team is equipped with the knowledge they need to succeed.
Brief list of key accompliSHMENTS
Equipment/Process Improvements
Experimental Design and Analysis
Experimental Design and Analysis
Novel mechanical and process improvements for mixing and coating operations.
a. Developed a low-cost flushed mechanical seal for a Henschel (Zeppelin) FM-10 mixer that utilized the mix process fluid as the flushing agent to eliminate cross-contamination. This innovative design, which integrates battery electrode process fluid, ensured that the seal leakage rate was engineered for consistent mix solids content. The improved seal led to a significant increase in mechanical seal life, extending it from just 1 month to over 1 year, showcasing the effectiveness of our consulting services in enhancing industrial applications.
b. Developed an optimized slot die lip geometry and vacuum box process for coating a highly filled static-dissipative adhesive on a tamper evident label stock for a large consumer mobile phone manufacturer. The improvement increased yields from 70% to over 90% by reducing the defect rate for the adhesive coating step.
Experimental Design and Analysis
Experimental Design and Analysis
Experimental Design and Analysis
Executed hundreds of designed experiments to solve process problems and optimize battery electrode processes, including mixing, coating process optimization, and drying processes. A few highlighted examples:
a. Response surface design revealed a saddle point in drying process conditions that enabled a coating speed increase from 180 fpm to 300 fpm.
b. A factorial experiment determined not only the root cause for drying process instability and failure points but also provided a working operational theory for the dryer function. This was a roll-supported dryer with air temperature controlled by dampers blending hot and cold air to achieve and maintain optimal drying. Airflow through the dryer was not controlled automatically but was a side effect of reaching the desired temperature.
c. A series of factorial experiments enabled the development and process mapping of a novel intermittent coating process.
IP and IP Strategy
Experimental Design and Analysis
IP and IP Strategy
Developed novel intellectual property for coating, drying, and web stabilization, with a focus on battery electrode processes.
a. Conducted an intermittent coating IP review and analysis that led to innovative IP on a coating process optimization.
b. Carried out an IP review and analysis that resulted in patents for web stabilization improvements specifically for TWOSD (tensioned-web-over-slot-die) coating.
c. Performed IP review and mapping for strategy development and planning.