Gluing Machine Adhesive Control Reducing Waste

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gluing machines often waste adhesive due to excessive application, leading to environmental contamination and inefficiency, as they typically heat large quantities of adhesive and lack precise control over the amount dispensed.

Innovation Solution

A gluing machine with a control device, such as a microprocessor, that adjusts the adhesive volume based on parameters like edge band width, feed speed, and adhesive thickness, ensuring only the necessary amount is applied, using a valve system and sensors to optimize adhesive usage and minimize waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If large quantities of adhesive are heated and made available at the adhesive outlet, then the machine can operate for extended periods without refilling, but excessive adhesive is wasted and causes environmental contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation duration without refillingVSAvoidadhesive waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the adhesive supply volume based on real-time parameters such as edge banding width, feed speed, and adhesive thickness requirements. The control device continuously monitors these parameters and modifies the adhesive delivery rate accordingly, ensuring that only the necessary amount is heated and made available at the adhesive outlet, thereby reducing waste while maintaining continuous operation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device receives feedback from sensors that detect edge banding width, feed speed, and adhesive application thickness. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the adhesive supply volume and heating parameters to optimize adhesive usage. This closed-loop control ensures that the adhesive volume available at the outlet precisely matches the actual application requirements, preventing both waste and insufficient supply

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of substance

If precise control over adhesive volume is implemented using control devices and sensors, then adhesive waste is minimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive wasteVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors edge banding width, detects feed speed, regulates adhesive thickness, and controls adhesive supply volume. By consolidating these control functions into a single multi-functional device rather than separate systems for each parameter, the patent reduces overall system complexity while achieving precise adhesive volume control and minimizing waste

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the adhesive outlet is positioned to allow liquid adhesive to flow downwards, then adhesive application is improved, but excess adhesive can leak and contaminate the gluing machine and surroundings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive applicationVSAvoidadhesive leakage and contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically controls the adhesive supply rate based on real-time detection of edge banding width and feed speed. By adjusting the adhesive flow rate to precisely match the application requirements, the system ensures that only the necessary amount of adhesive is made available at the outlet. This prevents excess adhesive from accumulating and leaking, while still allowing downward flow for proper application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The machine efficiently applies the exact amount of adhesive required, reducing waste and environmental contamination while maintaining consistent results, allowing for continuous operation without frequent refilling.

Implementation Method 1

The preparation arrangement (80) is designed to supply a volume of adhesive (K) in liquid form... heating a portion of the adhesive supply containing solid adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

the preparation arrangement is arranged above a tape outlet of the tape guide device... an adhesive channel for the liquid adhesive runs from the preparation arrangement downwards towards the tape guide device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2875921B1Gluing machine with a preparation assembly for a volume of adhesive
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 FESTOOL GMBH
  • EP2875921B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2875921B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2875921B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a gluing machine (10) for applying an edge banding strip (U) to an end face (S) of a workpiece panel (W), comprising a portable machine housing (20) that can be manually guided along the workpiece panel (W), an adhesive application device (70) for applying adhesive (K) to the reverse side of the edge banding strip (U), and a strip guide device (50) for guiding the edge banding strip (U) coated with adhesive (K) to the end face (S) of the workpiece panel (W) for bonding to the end face (S). The gluing machine (10) is provided with a preparation arrangement (80) for supplying a volume of adhesive (K) at an adhesive outlet (71) of the adhesive application device (70) in a liquid state suitable for applying the adhesive (K) to the edge banding strip (U), depending on at least one adjustable and/or sensor-detectable parameter.