Common UV Light Curing Mistakes to Avoid
Automatic dispensing and UV light curing provide a myriad of benefits for plastic assembly operations. Light-curing adhesives are fast, easy to implement and provide exceptional bonding strength, according to Assembly. Nonetheless, there are common mistakes made during the dispensing and curing process that can wreak havoc on your assemblies. Wasted material, off-target gluing, inconsistent adhesive bonding and other quality problems can result from having the wrong automated glue dispenser on your production line.
Let’s take a closer look at some common mistakes and how to avoid them, so you can realize all the automated glue and dispense system benefits.
Common UV Light Dispensing Mistakes
According to Assembly, air bubbles are the most common mistake in dispensing adhesives. Bubbles can compromise the strength of the glue, which can cause product failures down the road. Air bubbles often form due to incorrect pressure in the dispensing system. Using the appropriate pressure pots and adjusting the length of fluid tubing can help eliminate the formation of bubbles.
Another dispensing error is caused by transparent adhesive. Clear adhesive could be preferred for product aesthetics, but can cause off-target or excessive amounts if not closely monitored. There are adhesive material options that are colored during application, but dry clear.
Common UV Light Curing Mistakes
After the adhesive is dispensed, it needs to be exposed to the correct light wavelength and heat level to cure properly. Having a discussion with the adhesive manufacturer can go a long way in identifying these specifications early on in the planning process. Setup considerations include the dispense equipment (and cleaning supplies), storage of adhesive materials and light source.
Curing can also be affected by timing, distance from the light source and shadowing. Too much light exposure can also create too much heat and damage the integrity of the bond. Some setups use LED lighting to achieve the correct wavelength, but avoid the excess heat. Lastly, setups should be designed to fit without the flow of the line, as to not create tedious bottlenecks in production. Engineers should take all of this into consideration when designing an automated glue dispensing and curing system.
Benefits of Automated Glue Dispensing
Automated glue operations provide a fast, strong bond for products, packaging or parts. They are easy to install in a production line, safe and simple to operate while requiring limited maintenance. However, it’s important to select the correct adhesive material and properly design the assembly setup to avoid light-curing mistakes.
Choose the Right Automated UV Light Curing System
At AMS, we customize our adhesive dispensing and curing machines to fit your application requirements. We have experience and proven knowledge of a variety of adhesives, like resin, epoxy and glue, that can be used in automation systems. If your product assembly could benefit from adhesive dispensing and curing automation, our engineers will work with you on designing a system to meet your needs. Book an application review today or download our GC-401 data sheet to learn more.
