Abstract: A dispensing system includes a first metering system including a first housing, a first metering rod at least partially disposed within the first housing, and a first assembly defining a first metering chamber and releasably connected to the first housing. The first metering rod linearly translates through the first metering chamber so as to dispense a discrete amount of a first material from the first metering chamber. The dispensing system also includes a second metering system including a second housing, a second metering rod at least partially disposed within the second housing, and a second assembly defining a second metering chamber and releasably connected to the second housing. The second metering rod linearly translates through the second metering chamber so as to dispense a discrete amount of a second material from the second metering chamber. The first metering system is releasably connected to the second metering system.

Abstract: [PROBLEM] To improve distribution of adhesive and gas. [SOLUTION] A nozzle (1) includes a pattern shim (13) having a plurality of first slits (23) and a plurality of second slits (24), an adhesive shim (12) having a plurality of first holes (33), a gas shim (14), a head body (11) having an adhesive outlet (52) and an adhesive distribution groove (51) communicating with the adhesive outlet, and a face plate (15). Adhesive ejection ports are formed at openings of the plurality of first slits, and gas discharge ports are formed at openings of a plurality of second slits in such a manner that the gas discharge ports are located on both sides of each of the adhesive ejection ports. The plurality of first holes (33) communicate with the adhesive distribution groove (51).

Abstract: A system for applying a coating to a substrate. The system includes a coating station for applying a coating material to the substrate, where the coating station has a bottom portion, an oven for curing the coating material on the substrate, where the oven is positioned vertically below the bottom portion, and a first lift for transporting the substrate from the coating station to the oven. The system can also include an inspection station for inspecting the substrate. Each of the separate elements of the coating system, including the coating station, first lift, oven, and inspection station can define self-contained modules.

Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing a hot melt adhesive foam onto a substrate is described. The dispensing system comprises a pump having a first input to receive a hot melt adhesive and a second input to receive a gas, where the pump mixes the hot melt adhesive and the gas to produce a solution. The dispensing system also includes a temperature sensor to detect a temperature of the solution, a dispenser to receive the solution from the pump and dispense the solution, and a controller. The controller instructs the pump to operate at a first speed, receives the temperature of the solution, and instructs the pump to operate at a second speed that is different than the first speed in response to the signal.

Abstract: A multi-layered hot melt adhesive transfer hose is provided. The transfer hose has a barrier layer that prevents or minimizes the ingress of oxygen and other gases into a conduit of the hose. The transfer hose has at least one structural layer overlaying an exterior surface of the barrier layer to help the hose withstand a high fluid pressure. The barrier layer prevents the hot melt adhesive being transported in the hose from discoloring and charring when the adhesive is heated from about 250° F. up to and including 450° F. for an extended period of time.

Abstract: A die plate changing system holds first and second die plates and selectively transitions the first and second die plates into and out of communication with a material source. The die plate changing system has a frame having a body defining a first recess that receives the first die plate and a second recess that receives the second die plate, where the frame is heats the first and second die plates when the first and second die plates are disposed in the first and second recesses, respectively. The die plate changing system also includes a movement assembly operably coupled to the frame and that selectively moves the frame between a first position, where the first die plate receives material from the material source, and a second position, where the second die plate receives the material from the material source.

Abstract: Nozzle assemblies and methods of bonding fabric by jetting an adhesive are disclosed. A method of bonding fabrics with an adhesive includes receiving the adhesive from an adhesive supply into a nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly has a valve seat, a valve stem configured to slidably move towards and away from the valve seat, and a plurality of outlet channels. The method further includes jetting the adhesive from the plurality of outlet channels onto a first fabric and applying a second fabric to the first fabric to adhere the first and second fabrics to each other.

Abstract: Applicators and methods for dispensing material are disclosed. The applicator includes a syringe defining an inlet, and outlet, a chamber extending from the inlet to the outlet, a plunger disposed within the chamber, and a piston attached to the plunger, where the piston is configured to move the plunger through the chamber. The applicator also includes an actuation mechanism configured to linearly translate the piston through the chamber so as to dispense material through the outlet, a sensor attached to the plunger, where the sensor is configured to sense a linear movement of the plunger, and a controller configured to adjust operation of the actuation mechanism based on the linear movement sensed by the sensor such that the piston repeatedly dispenses a predetermined amount of the material from the outlet of the syringe over a plurality of dispense cycles.

Abstract: An adhesive dispensing system for applying liquid adhesive to a substrate using different nozzles with the same manifold is disclosed. The adhesive dispensing system includes a manifold having a body, a first clamp configured to engage the body of the manifold, a second clamp configured to engage the body of the manifold, and a nozzle. The first and second clamps secure the nozzle to the body of the manifold. The body of the manifold has a first contact surface that engages the first clamp and a second contact surface that engages the second clamp and the nozzle, where the second contact surface is angularly offset from the first contact surface.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a level of molten material received in a reservoir of a melt system from a melt grid is disclosed. The method includes receiving a first level of the molten material from a sensor in the reservoir at a first time, receiving a second level of the molten material from the sensor at a second time subsequent to the first time, and comparing the second level of the molten material to a desired operating level to determine a difference between the second level and the desired operating level. The method also includes determining a temperature set point for the melt grid based on at least the difference between the second level and the desired operating level, and adjusting an operating temperature of the melt grid to match the temperature set point.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dispensing a liquid onto a substrate are disclosed. A dispensing assembly includes a housing, a valve stem, and a control valve. The housing receives the liquid to be dispensed. The valve stem is disposed in the housing and has a first configuration, in which the liquid is allowed to exit the housing, and a second configuration, in which the liquid is prevented from exiting the housing. The control valve receives pressurized air from a pressurized air source. The control valve has a first position, in which the pressurized air acts on the valve stem to move the valve stem to the first configuration or to the second configuration, and a second position, in which the pressurized air is moved out of the dispensing assembly through an exhaust passage defined therein.

Abstract: In one example, a melter has a housing, a heater, a vent, and a filter medium. The housing defines a receiving space that supports adhesive therein. The heater heats the receiving space of the housing to melt the adhesive. The melter defines an adhesive inlet therein that receives adhesive carried by a transport supply gas into the receiving space. The vent extends through a wall of the melter and permits the transport supply gas to escape from the melter. The filter medium is supported in the vent to capture particulates from the transport supply gas escaping the receiving space, and is positioned relative to the receiving space such that heat from the receiving space causes the particulates captured by the filter medium to melt and fall into the receiving space.

Abstract: A powder spray gun includes a powder flow path inlet and a powder flow path outlet, the powder flow path inlet being connectable in a first configuration to a dilute phase powder pump and in a second configuration to a dense phase powder pump, wherein the powder spray gun comprises a spray nozzle that is the same for the first and second configurations. The powder flow path is provided by a powder tube that extends through the gun, with the powder tube having a first diameter at an inlet portion of the spray gun and a second diameter at an outlet portion of the spray gun, with the second diameter being greater than the first diameter. The powder flow path may also include a conical transition portion, and a member for adding air to the powder flow.

Abstract: A nozzle includes a pattern shim having a plurality of first slits and a plurality of second slits, an adhesive shim having a plurality of first holes, a gas shim, a head body having an adhesive outlet and an adhesive distribution groove communicating with the adhesive outlet, and a face plate. Adhesive ejection ports are formed at openings of the plurality of first slits, and gas discharge ports are formed at openings of a plurality of second slits in such a manner that the gas discharge ports are located on both sides of each of the adhesive ejection ports. The plurality of first holes communicate with the adhesive distribution groove. The plurality of first holes are formed in such a manner that distances of the first holes from the corresponding discharge ejection ports become shorter as distances of the corresponding first holes from the adhesive outlet become longer.

Abstract: A melt system that includes a melt unit. The melt unit includes a reservoir and a melter. The melter is configured to expose solid adhesive to a temperature sufficient to form a molten adhesive, which is deposited into the reservoir. The melt unit includes a hopper disposed above the melter and for holding a supply of the solid adhesive. The hopper has an access door disposed on a wall of the hopper that is movable between a closed position where the hopper is closed and an open position where an internal chamber of the hopper is accessible to receive the solid adhesive. The hopper and the solid adhesive in the hopper are thermally isolated from the reservoir.

Abstract: A dispensing system for jetting a material onto a substrate is disclosed. The dispensing system includes a plate defining a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface in a first direction, and at least one slot that extends through the plate from the first surface to the second surface, and an actuator assembly that contains a piezoelectric element and is operatively coupled to the needle. The dispensing system also includes at least one fastener that extends through the actuator assembly and the at least one slot, where the at least one fastener is configured to selectively engage the plate such that 1) in a disengaged configuration, the at least one fastener is movable within the slot and the actuator assembly is movable relative to the plate, and 2) in an engaged configuration, the at least one fastener is not movable within the slot and the actuator assembly is not movable relative to the plate such that a stroke length of the needle is adjusted.

Abstract: A spray nozzle assembly is provided with an electrode, a wear resistant member, and a compliant sleeve. The wear resistant member supports the electrode and is supported by the compliant sleeve. For coating operations that use abrasive powder such as porcelain enamel, the wear resistant member may comprise ceramic. The compliant sleeve may be made of an elastic material such as plastic, which allows one end of the compliant sleeve to receive an end of a glass powder tube. The wear resistant member may be in the form of a ceramic spider. The electrode may be installed in-line with a powder flow path defined by the powder tube, which extends through a spray gun body.

Abstract: Methods of dispensing fluid are disclosed. A first applicator is positioned above a first dispense site at a first dispense region of a first electronic substrate by moving the first applicator using a primary positioner. A second applicator is simultaneously positioned above a first dispense site at a second dispense region of the first electronic substrate by moving the second applicator together with the first applicator using the primary positioner and moving the second applicator relative to the first applicator using a secondary positioner. It is then determined that the first or the second dispense region is misaligned relative to the other of the first or the second dispense region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced hot melt liquid dispensing system management are disclosed. In an example method for determining an operating instruction for a hot melt liquid dispensing system having an applicator and a heater, the operating instruction is determined based on a filtered applicator parameter value associated with gun cycle counts of the applicator and a filtered heater parameter value associated with duty cycle values of the heater. The filtered applicator parameter value is determined based on historic applicator parameter values that are updated according to a current applicator parameter value. The filtered heater parameter value is determined based on historic heater parameter values that are updated according to a current heater parameter value.