Jet Dispensing UV-Cure to Seal Automotive Sensors

A Success Story

When you have a manufacturing process that requires applying fluid to a part, a few seconds can make a huge impact on production throughput over time. Even standard dispense cycle times can lead you to look for faster alternatives – especially in the automotive industry where profit margins are ever-shrinking. It is important to look for ways to improve your process to get the results you need in order to be competitive.

Here’s what one automotive manufacturer is considering:

Fluid Used

UV-cure adhesive

Application Requirements

• Shorter dispense cycle time
• Accurate, consistent deposits
• 0.8″ long beads
• 2.8 mg (+/- 0.2 mg) deposit volume

Previous Process

The manufacturer is using 30cc syringe barrels mounted within an enclosed automated dispensing system to dispense UV-cure adhesive to seal automotive sensors.

Issues with Previous Process

With the syringe, it takes 2.23 seconds to complete a dispense cycle. While 2.23 seconds seems fairly fast, the process is too slow to meet market demands.

Working with a syringe is also not the most accurate setup for this particular application. The UV-cure seal has to protect the sensors from exposure to moisture and other environmental damage in vehicles. An accurate amount of fluid is required to achieve this.

Solution

• PICO^® Pµlse^™ jetting valve
• PICO Toµch^™ controller

Results

The main goal is to decrease dispense cycle time in order to increase production. Switching from 30cc syringes to a non-contact valve setup offers greater precision and repeatability in the amount dispensed, as well as quicker dispensing times. Introducing the PICO Pµlse and Toµch jetting system will help the manufacturer decrease dispensing time from 2.23 seconds to 0.6 ─ 0.9 seconds. This small process adjustment could nearly triple daily production.

The PICO Pµlse jetting system is a great choice because:

• It integrates easily into automated dispensing systems
• It offers faster, more precise dispensing over the uneven surface of the sensors
• Shorter dispense cycle times will allow the manufacturer to mount one PICO valve instead of several contact dispense valves to get the same increase in production throughput
• The PICO Toµch controller’s touchscreen interface makes it easy to program precise deposit volumes and make adjustments for tight tolerances

Learn more about Nordson EFD fluid dispensing solutions in our Automotive Application Guide. Watch more dispensing videos in our Automotive Video Playlist.

Got a question about Nordson EFD’s automotive manufacturing equipment? Don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

Javier Ramirez

Javier Ramirez is an Application Specialist at Nordson EFD. He helps manufacturers in Florida and the Caribbean find the best possible dispensing solutions for their fluid applications. Javier has more than 12 years of fluid dispensing expertise. He joined Nordson EFD in 2000.