Challenges with Adhesive Dispensing
Manufacturers and factory operators who utilise adhesives can face many challenges if their adhesive dispensing is carried out without expert advice.
A few of the challenges that can be encountered when dispensing adhesives include:
- Air bubbles within the adhesive – this can compromise the strength and durability of the adhesive.
- Missed or over-application – this can lead to product failure and an inconsistent strength profile.
- Inaccuracy when dispensing – this can lead to improper applications of adhesives and fluid waste.
- Difficulty in repeatability – this can limit the production rate.
Top Tips for Achieving High-Quality Adhesive Dispensing
There are various factors that need to be taken into account when dispensing adhesives in order to achieve optimal results.
General Considerations
General considerations that operators need to take into account include the:
- Material of the surface being bonded
- The geometry of the bond area
- Rate of dispensing
- Requirement for a low or high viscosity adhesive
- Temperature cycling of the bonded product
- Physical forces, mechanical stress and vibrations applied to the bonded product
- Strength of the bond required
- Bond line thickness required
- Required storage conditions
- Required shelf life
- Packaging specifications
- Health & safety specifications
Specific Tips for Optimised Adhesive Dispensing
Our top tips to ensure proper adhesive dispensing include:
- When manually dispensing, using a suitable adhesive dispenser to enable quick applications and maintenance.
- Holding the dispenser vertically at a 45°-80° degree when applying the adhesive to avoid disrupting the fluid.
- When automatically dispensing, utilise efficient automated dispensing systems in assembly lines to ensure repeatability and accuracy.
- Using a dispensing valve for increased accuracy.
- Using a polyethylene piston when dispensing low or medium viscosity adhesives to prevent dripping.
- Applying the correct and consistent amount of pressure when dispensing to avoid air bubbles.
- Ensuring transparent adhesives are applied everywhere as needed, and not missed accidentally due to not seeing them.
- Training the operators sufficiently to ensure proper application.
- Determining the requirement for a dot, bead or shot dispensing.
- Determining the required accuracy of dispensing.
- Using angled dispensing tips for difficult-to-reach and intricate applications.
- Calculating and applying the exact amount of adhesive required per application.
- Using the widest possible tip gauge which matches the size of the deposit required, in order to avoid adhesive compression.
- When using two-part adhesives, gently pushing the dispenser trigger to ensure that both components are pushed at the same level, before applying onto the desired substrate.
- Changing the dispensing tip if the flow restricts, instead of applying extra pressure.
- Ensuring that the adhesives are properly de-gassed when using them in bulk.
- Ensuring that you are using dry and clean compressed air for the dispenser.
If you find any issues with your dispensing applications, contact Antala and our technical team will find a solution.
