APPLYING ADHESIVE WITH ROBOTS – 360° GLUING

360° Gluing automates adhesive application on complex and geometrically challenging shapes. The Robatech integration kit connects a robot to an adhesive application system. This allows adhesive to be applied in two or three dimensions along the movement path of the robot or cobot with repeatable accuracy and in flexible quantities. The result: significantly increased process reliability and productivity compared to manual application, as well as consistently high gluing quality.

HOW DOES ROBOT-ASSISTED ADHESIVE APPLICATION WORK?

In robot-assisted adhesive application, an industrial robot or collaborative robot (cobot) moves a single or multiple application head along a preprogrammed path over a part to be glued. Depending on the production process, the adhesive is applied in dots, beads, sprays, or swirls.

Primo dual dosing head connected to robot arm via integration kit.

Primo dosing head for adhesive application to an angled workpiece 

Alternatively, the workpiece can also be taken by a robot to a fixed application head. This method is especially good if the application head needs to stay in one spot. The robot moves the part precisely under the nozzle, so that the adhesive application is just as repeatable and reliable as with an application head attached to the robot.

Box-Roboterarm-mit-Griffstück

The path of motion is programmed using the robot manufacturer's software. Depending on the supplier, solutions are available that require no programming knowledge, such as using a lead through motion for the robot arm along the path of motion and saving individual positions (lead-through programming). The settings for adhesive application and its monitoring are made via the robot's touch panel. Robatech provides the corresponding visualization software in the integration kit.

SPOT-ON ADHESIVE APPLICATION

With the Sirius booster module, the application heads can be controlled quickly thanks to overexcitation. This allows the adhesive application quantities to be positioned with high precision along the robot's movement path. The module is freely programmable, compact, and can be mounted on a DIN rail.

View on the print of the Sirius Booster Modul

Sirius Booster Modul of Robatech for flexible control of pneumatic application valves.

 

FROM MANUAL TO ROBOT-ASSISTED ADHESIVE APPLICATION – IS IT WORTH THE SWITCH?

Compared to the adhesive application with a hand applicator, robots apply adhesive faster, more precisely, and with greater repeatability. The exact amount is always applied in the right position. Personnel can thus be relieved of repetitive and tiring work. Errors such as dead spots— meaning areas where no adhesives have been applied—or the application of too much adhesive to a component are avoided with robot-assisted application. Switching to partial or full automation is worthwhile if the focus is on quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness:

  • Reduce operating costs
  • Increase quantities
  • Reliable adhesive application quality
  • Increased competitiveness

 

Technician programs the movement path of a cobot for adhesive application

Cobots make it relatively easy to switch from manual to semi- or fully automated adhesive application. 

Collaborative robots (cobots) are generally smaller than industrial robots and require fewer protective devices. They work alone (fully automated) or hand in hand with humans when the sequence of work steps requires it (semi-automated).

 

ADHESIVE APPLICATION WITH ROBOTS – ADVANTAGES AT A GLANCE

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Increases productivity through reliable and flexible adhesive application
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High adhesive application quality through precise and repeatable execution
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Simple programming and control of the gluing process
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Reduces error susceptibility and costs compared to manual application
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Relieves personnel and protects them from injury
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Straightforward integration using Robatech's integration kit

DOWNLOADS

Find more technical information here.

REFERENCES FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED ADHESIVE APPLICATION

Swirl application with Aero spray head for the production of battery pack covers

Battery pack covers

  • Teijin Automotive Technologies Czech s.r.o.
  • Swirl application with exact edge definition for even surfaces
  • Flexible controllable adhesive application quantities

APPLICATION HEADS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED ADHESIVE APPLICATION

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Integration kit

  • Connects adhesive application systems to robots
  • With holders and visualization software
Box-Delta-spray-head

Delta

  • Angled application head for complex shapes
  • Bead and spry application
  • For thermoplastic adhesives
Box-Aero

Aero

  • Swirl application of excellent edge definition, contactless coating
  • For thermoplastic and reactive adhesives
Box-Primo

Primo

  • Dosing head for bead and spray application
  • Uniform adhesive application at dynamic speeds
  • For thermoplastic and reactive adhesives

ADHESIVE MELTERS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED APPLICATION

Adhesive melter Vision

Vision

Adhesive melter Alpha

Alpha

Canduro_31

Canduro 2

Box-JumboFlex

JumboFlex

Box-RobaDrum-20

RobaDrum 20

Box-RobaDrum-200

RobaDrum 200

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