Professionals know that feeling of a perfectly running application, the right equipment, attitude and knowledge give the best results and peace in production.
Therefore, specific technical knowledge will come into view when correctly installing and maintaining hot melt equipment. An annual inspection by an expert brings out small details that can be remedied and resolved in a timely manner, thus saving a lot of misery.
Why maintenance? Because good glue equipment only works well with the right settings and if it can function properly without obstacles. The glue equipment is best adjusted when the rest of the production line induces. glue systems are often hidden in the machine, and not visible in, for example, the packaging process. The folding and filling gets the most attention. Just like the right settings, the right adhesive is a very important parameter. The right nozzles, modules, hoses, controls and timers help to make the system work optimally. The simplest machines have very advanced glue equipment that seems very simple at first.
We would like to give you some important tips that you should take into account, as well as some glue advice to help you find the perfect hot-melt glue.
THE ADVANTAGES OF INVESTING IN A HOT MELT GLUE SYSTEM
Compared to many other fastening techniques, hot melt glue guns offer a relatively affordable alternative. What makes these glue systems even more profitable is that, with good maintenance, hot-melt glue systems will last a long time, the wear parts in a gluing system are limited and easy to replace. With some basic use and safety training, glue systems pose a lower safety risk and are easy to use.
Perhaps the main reason to purchase a hot melt system is that there are more applications that you can provide with a hot melt glue system, such as other application techniques such as sealants, taping, nailing, stapling and screwing.
WHERE IS HOT MELT EQUIPMENT USED?
Now that the benefits are clear, you need to develop a good understanding of where such systems are used so that we can develop ideas.
Hot melt glue systems are often used in the food industry, for the packaging of large numbers of products. Both the primary packaging, such as frozen fish, a crunchy cake or sweets, but also secondary packaging for ready meals, soups and spices. On top of that comes the tertiary packaging, such as a corrugated cardboard box which is glued in, for example, wraparound machines or box closers (American folding boxes).
Hot melt adhesives are also often used for assembly applications with foam (mattress industry), electronics, golf clubs, automotive parts. For the foam industry these are often specific hot melts with a long open time and a relatively low application temperature.
Is your material heat-sensitive? Do you have specific adhesives in mind such as a self-adhesive PSA hotmelt, PUR or PLA? Do you have a particular glue shape in mind such as a caterpillar, swirl or coating?
All these considerations will help to make the right choice in hot melt equipment. We are happy to help you make the right choice.
Hot melt glue sticks
For startups, research and repairs hot melt sticks can be interesting, due to low investment cost and easy handling. Hot melt sticks are available in standard transparent, but also with extended open time and improved bonding to plastic substrates and others with a faster setting speed, allowing reduced compression time.
Bulk hot melt prills, pearls and drums
Most bulk hot melt adhesives in prills and pearls are used for packaging and light product assembly methods. These are available in a wide variety, from very fast setting, 0.5 seconds compression time in the packaging industry, up to bonds to plastic substrateds, from deepfreeze application up to over 90 degrees celcius heat resistant bonds. Example applications are food packaging, pocketspring assembly in mattresses, foam bonding, bonding and assemble insulation materials, labelling and bookbinding. Most common raw baterial base for hot melt adhesives are EVA and POLYOLEFIN.
PSA hot melt adhesives
PSA hot melt adhesives are hot melts with a permanent open time, the most common application is to produce self adhesive tapes, these are made by laminating a plastic foil with a sticky adhesive layer. PSA hot melt adhesives are also used for various other applications in product assembly, such as white goods and automotive parts. Besides self adhesive tapes, also self adhesive labels are often manufacturerd with hot melt adhesives. Hot melt adhesives provide a high initial tack value in comparison to waterbased acrylic coatings. High tack values are important for e.g. high speed self adhesive labelling applications.
PUR hot melt adhesives
Polyurethane hot melt adhesives are a combination of polyurethane adhesives, with hot melt characteristics. Polyurethane hot melt adhesives are solid a room temperature, but will cure when it comes into contact with moisture in the air. Therefore PUR Hotmelts will be packaged in a airsealed moisture free packaging. IN standaard conditions, PUR hot melt will start to cure directly, and finish curing after 24 to 36 hours. PUR hot melts have to be applied with special hot melt equipment. PUR hotmelts will often give a stronger, more durable and lasting bond, which is typically needed in some automotive applications, but mostly in building purposes, such as interior building, panel lamination and decorative purposes.