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Almost all product-assembly processes in the industrial and manufacturing industries require adhesive, proper dispensing equipment, and a suitable application method. Adhesive dispensing systems combine two tasks: applying the adhesive and assembling the components, such as the cover and housing. The use of the incorrect adhesive application and dispensing system can cause severe damage to your systems. Moreover, issues such as inaccurate temperatures, wasted adhesive, off-target gluing, and pop-open rejects can all result in unavoidable downtime.

Product manufacturers must ensure that their dispensing equipment and application technology are efficient and suitable to the manufacturing specifications and requirements.

This article will discuss some of the most common adhesive applications that use custom dispensing systems.

Brush And Trowel Application

The most basic and oldest application uses a brush or trowel to spread the adhesive to a substrate. The application’s success depends on the quality of the product and equipment and, most importantly, the operator’s expertise. Brush and trowel adhesive applications enable to cover of uneven surfaces with adhesive. However, controlling the adhesive amount and thickness layer is more challenging to do in this adhesive application. In this case, unexpected costs, or worst, system failure, may occur.

Dots & Beads Application

Adhesive beads and dots are some of the most common adhesive applications. The adhesive is usually applied through different dispensing nozzles, which allow for precisely placing the beads or dots. Squeezing the adhesive out seems simple, but more advanced equipment is used as a glue dot applicator machine in industrial applications.

Handguns, automated electric or pneumatic guns, and jetting applicators are some equipment used to create precise and consistent beads and dots adhesive. In this adhesive application, the custom dispense system or equipment offers complete control over how much adhesive to use and where it is applied, ensuring minimum adhesive loss and reduced cost.

Spray Application

One of the vastly used adhesive applications is spraying. It allows a thin layer of adhesive to be scattered over a large surface or on uneven substrates. However, as the bonds are atomized in a spray gun, it tends to overspray and be lost in the air, which requires more adhesive use, which means more cost and additional safety measures to consider. Moreover, it may require a more extensive cleaning than other adhesive application methods because the overspray can get too messy. Good thing that there are now cutting-edge glue spray machines and dispense systems that minimize or eradicate overspray.

Curtain Coating Application

Also known as the waterfall method, curtain coating adhesive application allows the part to be pressed through the curtain or waterfall of adhesive, resulting in a uniform layer of adhesives sticking on the part’s surface. The excess liquid adhesive that didn’t stick to the surface is collected and pumped back into the dispensing system to keep the waterfall running. Furthermore, curtain coating is an automated process that highlights work efficiency and saves labor expenses.

Web Coating Application

This type of adhesive application creates a web-like pattern of adhesive onto a wide variety of substrates. It involves automated dispense systems, which increase the processing speed, including slot applicators, wheel and roll coating, dipping, and adhesive transfer printing.

Solid Film Adhesive Application

Applying adhesive as a solid film has become a prevalent method in recent years and is especially popular in the packaging industry. In this method, the glue is in the form of a thin film and is deposited into the substrate using a particular adhesive applicator machine. Solid film typically uses pressure-sensitive adhesives; some use heat-activated adhesive films. Furthermore, some adhesive films use a carrier sheet that disengages once one side of the film has been deposited onto the surface.

What Adhesive Application Is The Best For You?

The decision to pick the best adhesive application involves many considerations, including the bond material, the nature of the product or parts to conjoin, the surface or substrate requirements, the design process, and the financial factors.

Using custom dispense systems for adhesive applications is very innovative and efficient. However, equipment cost and maintenance might be expensive. If you are not sure yet what adhesive application and system to go for, Hil-Man Automation and Precision Dispense Technologies can surely help you!

Experience Robotic Adhesive Applications With Hil-Man Automation And Precision Dispense Technologies

It requires seasoned engineering, turnkey automation, and manufacturing process expertise to have impeccably designed and well-calibrated adhesive application dispensing systems that can lower production costs and increase profits.

We use the latest robotic technology and the smartest, top-quality dispensing equipment on the market today. We do custom dispensing systems with cutting-edge adhesive applications at Hil-Man Automation and Precision Dispense Technologies. Not only do we give our customers more control over their bonding process, but we also save them money and boost their profitability. We can do the same for you!

Contact us today to schedule a site visit, to get a free evaluation of your existing production line, or to request a quote for your next manufacturing project!