Product category:
Adhesives and adhesive bonding equipment
News Release from: Contax | Subject: Two-part epoxy resin-based adhesives dispensing
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 22 September 2006
Dispensing two-part epoxy resin
adhesives
A dual dispensing valve effectively miniaturises the active mixing process at the point of dispense and so solves the problem of two-part epoxy resin-based adhesives dispensing.
Contax is offering a tried and tested solution to the problem of two-part dispensing with the mta Dual Dispensing Valve This fully automated solution is ideally suited to applications that require two materials to be mixed; for example, with epoxy resin-based adhesives, where both the resin and hardening agent need to be combined
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 29 Jun 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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There are three problems inherently associated with two-part dispensing.
Firstly, combining the correct ratio of the two components; secondly, ensuring the correct and thorough mixing of materials; and lastly the relatively short period of time in which the mixture must be used.
This process is therefore not an easy task to perform automatically.
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Some manufacturers have tried to overcome the problems either by pre-mixing volumes of material outside the automated system, or keeping the components apart until the point of dispense and mixing through a passive mixing nozzle.
However, both of these have inherent problems.
The mta has developed and patented an automated solution, specifically designed to overcome these issues.
The mta's Dual Part Dispensing Valve effectively miniaturises the active mixing process at the point of dispense and has been implemented in a relatively low-cost consumable part.
mta's unique design consists of a small mixing chamber which has two side inlet ports, a straight standard dispense needle from the bottom of the chamber, and a short drive shaft exiting through the top.
Inside the chamber, attached to the end of the drive shaft is a small impeller.
This small mixing head is then plugged into the dispensing machine, which has two important features.
Firstly, independent numerically controlled pumps that allow precise control of the ratio of the mix whilst preventing any contact between them.
Secondly, a small variable speed motor that engages the impeller drive shaft.
This combination means that the user can not only control the relative volumes being forced through the mixing chamber in any given period of time, but also the mixing impeller speed and therefore the thoroughness of the mixing process.
"This simple design provides a highly effective solution for two-part dispensing," said Phil Shorten, Integrated Automation Group director at Contax.
"It also has the added advantage that should production be disrupted for any reason, then only a small volume of material is potentially wasted within a relatively low-cost consumable piece part.
This will make it a very attractive solution for medical and pharmaceutical applications," he said.
* About Contax - Contax is one of the UK and Ireland's most comprehensive suppliers of automation equipment.
Products range from PCB assembly, automatic optical and X-ray inspection, reflow solder, screen printing, precision liquid dispensing, cable preparation, robotic soldering and robotic assembly as well as cleaning systems.
All of this is backed up by Contax's after sales operation and an extensive second user department to fully support their installed base.
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