With regard to dispensing adhesives, whether or not you pick the correct robot for your business plays a key role in the outcome of the bonded components. The wrong choice can result in a poor return on investment (ROI) and inefficiencies as well.

Dispensing robots are the best way to apply adhesives because the entire process is automated. Depending on the machine, one or two adhesives can be applied simultaneously. Adhesive dispensing robots typically come into variants, either XYZ or six-axis robots.

An XYZ dispensing robot will dish out the sealant or adhesive in various ways, including compressing, casting, bonding and sealing. The user loads adhesive into the dispenser, and the machine moves along the frames of the components as it applies adhesive.

A six-axis robot, on the other hand, moves more freely, basically in more directions. In this review, we will discuss the pros and cons of dispensing robots as well as what you need to ruminate prior to purchasing a dispensing robot.

What Should You Consider Before Purchasing a Dispensing Robot?

Type of Materials Being Joined

When buying a dispensing robot, it’s a no-brainer that you should consider which components are being bonded together. The robot should be capable of dispensing adhesives that can join all kinds of materials, including plastics, wood, ceramics, among others.

Working Environment

Some kinds of robots are considered to pose a safety risk to manual operators. Therefore you should go for a dispensing robot that is capable of sharing its work envelope with human beings without causing harm to them.

Precision

Not all dispensing robots have the same level of precision; that’s why there is a difference in cost. Therefore you should appreciate the needs of your business and go for the dispensing robot that can cater to those needs. For instance, dispensing robots can dispense adhesive in various patterns such as dotted lines, arcs, circles, and straight lines.

The Benefits of Adhesive Dispensing Robots Include:

Consistency

For dispensing robots’ quality is not a moving target. However, the ability to be consistent and repeat patterns is a crucial benefit that allows businesses using adhesive dispensing robots more significant savings because errors are reduced.

Accuracy

Dispensing robots can be configured down to the millimeter, and they have a far larger capacity to perfectly and uniformly distribute adhesive compared to manual operators. Again repetitiveness plays a key role here.

No Fatigue

Dispensing robots, like all other robots, do not suffer from fatigue. However, unlike manual operators who need breaks during work, dispensing robots can work the entire day. This enhances the productivity of the business without compromising on quality.

Patterns

Since robots can be configured in various ways, they can dispense adhesives in multiple patterns and styles such as dotted lines, arcs, circles, straight lines, and plenty more besides.

Internet-Ready

Another benefit of most robots that applies to dispensing robots is that some robots can be connected to the net. This is beneficial because it means the robot can interact with other robots and enable the OEM to update the firmware, resulting in better quality work.

The Drawbacks of Adhesive Dispensing Robots Include:

Flexibility

Flexibility can be an issue with regard to adhesive dispensing robots. For instance, where many components need to be bonded together, a manual operator might be ideal. This is because for a dispensing robot to perform a satisfactory job and accommodate various kinds of adhesive, it would have to be reconfigured.

Dispensing Robots Alone Cannot Perform Quality Checks

Without the appropriate sensors, a dispensing robot cannot identify inconsistencies in gluing. The human eye, in contrast, can identify issues such as air bubbles in the adhesive applied. The operator will then undo the entire placement or simply correct the problem.

Final Thought

All in all, automating the process of dispensing adhesives can, in many ways, improve production. However, not every production line will profit from using adhesive dispensing robots. Some applications are better left to manual operators as they offer greater versatility.