Automation ensures a solution that sticks for component manufacturer

One product manufactured by NEL required the bonding of a sensor onto an aluminium plate. The solution and process chosen to best achieve this was to dispense a 1mm diameter drop of LOCTITE 460 Cyanoacrylate Adhesive for each application.

The challenge facing NEL was the current manual process was highly inefficient. To avoid the adhesive spilling over the sensor or plate, NEL was administering the adhesive with a cocktail stick. The task required such co-ordination that it was typically left to a single member of staff, who had the dexterity to do the job well.

"This wasn't ideal in terms of repeatability, accuracy and reliability, not least if that person wasn't available," admitted Tom Henderson, director of NEL Technologies. "Ultimately, we wanted a system every operator could use, which would guarantee the expected result on every application."

After visiting the company's Newcastle-Upon-Tyne headquarters, LOCTITE engineer John McCafferty devised a bespoke system to ensure the accurate and precise control of adhesive flow, using automated application.

The solution combines the LOCTITE Auto Reservoir, LOCTITE 300D Robot, LOCTITE EQ VA40 CA Volumetric Valve. Together, this guarantees the perfect measure of LOCTITE 460 is applied every time.

Alongside doubling production speeds, the method reduces the amount of adhesive used, minimising wastage and scrapped product.

NEL has been so impressed by the LOCTITE automation process the company has since bought a second system for a different application within the factory. "We have a different product that requires a two-part epoxy adhesive, and it was clear that John and his team could help us improve the application process there, too," confirmed Tom Henderson.

"I'd recommend that anybody struggling to optimise its industrial adhesive processes speak to LOCTITE, to find out if there's an automated solution that can transform their operation."