Fluid dispensing has advanced significantly. Historically, the sole option for dispensing was physically pushing fluid out of a syringe with a plunger. But as technology continues to rise, there is now a variety of dispensing techniques accessible, and within each method, there are various dispensing equipment alternatives. They range from simple manual dispensing systems to complex positive displacement pumps.
Adhesive dispensing equipment can be dispense-only, mix-and-dispense, meter-mix-and-dispense, or hot melt. Additionally, essential characteristics of adhesive dispensing equipment include dispense rate, media viscosity, container size, shot size or volumetric quantity the dispenser can produce in a single cycle, and metering accuracy.
If you are unfamiliar with dispensing technology, selecting the proper dispensing equipment might be daunting because there are so many options. This article looks into the various adhesive dispensing systems to help you decide easily!
Fluid Dispensers
Fluid dispensers produce precise, regulated volumes and can dispense a wide variety of products; they are ideal for low production volume and low dispense quantity applications.
They are used by weighing and pre-mixing 2-part resin into syringes, with frozen products such as epoxy for electronic components that need thawing immediately before use, and with a 2-part cartridge tool for side-by-side cartridges. This dispensing system is precise, repeatable, affordable, easy to operate and maintain, and can dispense various goods.
However, remember that some of its drawbacks may not be acceptable for your application. This equipment requires extensive labor and time to prepare, is difficult with short pot life items, has a probability of poor ratio, and has smaller dispense volumes.
Meter Mix Dispense System
The meter mix dispense systems may allocate low, medium, and high viscosity resins in moderate to high volumes. They are also a good fit if you have a high manufacturing throughput, a long-lasting product, and a precise mix ratio.
Additionally, these dispensing systems can be supplied directly from the manufacturer’s container utilizing pumps, which makes handling easier and limits contamination, or with refillable feed tanks that can be used for pressure feeding, agitation, and degassing.
Moreover, meter mix dispense systems use a disposable static mixer at the dispensing gun’s output and keep A and B Components separate until they are dispensed, eliminating open time and limiting cleaning and waste.
The assured correct ratio, high output numbers, less preparation and cleaning, limited, predictable material waste, and flexible dispense volumes are some of the pros of the meter mix dispense systems.
While these systems have better qualities and offers than fluid dispensers, they also have a few drawbacks. The cons include higher initial purchase cost, limited shallow volume shots, abrasive fillers mean more servicing, difficulty changing resin and ratio, and narrow with wide ratio resins.
Dispensing Automation
With workforce and material limitations, automating operations is more manageable, flexible, and cheaper than ever. Robotic technology offers economical and sensible approaches to boosting production, which applies to all sizes and types of manufacturers.
Automation is often disregarded during the specification of new equipment. If you have the production numbers and the possible application, an XYZ Robot or Gantry System can drastically change your return on investment or ROI by improving production numbers and lowering or eliminating labor costs and material waste.
In addition to enhancing product quality, automation’s repeatability simplifies many other production tasks, such as production planning, ordering materials, and cleaning.
Conclusion
In summary, many dispensing systems have distinct characteristics that enhance numerous gluing and dispensing operations areas, such as quality, efficiency, and working environment. However, your output will depend highly on the dispensing system you choose. For instance, not every factory will benefit from automating its glue procedures. Still, manual handling can provide better flexibility and allow personnel to undertake quality control on the move in certain circumstances.
Hil-Man Automation has the resources and knowledge necessary to ensure the success of your dispense system. Our automation specialists are available to review your current operations and find cost-cutting solutions at your location. Aside from this, we can tailor solutions to your specifications and budget, allowing you to automate your production process and offer your business a competitive edge. Contact our sales representative now to learn more about our capabilities.
