Page 8 - Industrial Technology EXTRA - 27th April 2020
P. 8
ADHESIVES...
Considerations for choosing
an ahesive dispensing robot
Dispensing robots enable the automation of the application of adhesives, potting
compounds, encapsulants, sealants, form in place gaskets, temporary masking,
lubricants and other liquids, fluids and pastes. Carefully considering the
requirements of your application before making a purchase can help manufacturers
develop a successful set-up. Here Peter Swanson, Managing Director of adhesives
specialist Intertronics, explains the considerations for choosing a dispensing robot
ccording to the World Economic Forum, Manufacturers automate their dispensing
more than half of the world’s workplace processes for many reasons, including consistency,
tasks will be carried out by a machine by speed and accuracy. A dispensing robot can apply
A2025. However, while 75 million jobs are materials with positional accuracy and precise
likely to be lost to automation by 2022, a further quantities, and repeat that all day long. Often, the
133 million will be created. The application of output is faster than a manual process, and
adhesives and other materials is a prime candidate sometimes can achieve results that are not possible
for automation, with the redeployment of skills and for a human. For example, the application of an
the resultant productivity gains. even bead of gasketing around a complex profile is
not feasible manually.
Return on investment for a dispensing robot can
take just a few months, due to increased output, the
decreased number of rejects, and the reduction in
material waste. Skilled operators can be reallocated
to other demanding tasks.
The function of a dispensing robot
In a dispensing application, it is important to note
that the robot’s function is to position and actuate
the dispenser. Best practice would be to select the
dispensing methodology first — something which
can be quite complex — and then choose the robot.
The dispensing equipment selected will be
April 2020 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA! • p8
