Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting and cleaning a nozzle of a dispenser are disclosed. The systems may include a platform supporting a cleaning substrate. The cleaning substrate may have a plurality of hook structures configured to remove a material from the nozzle. The systems may also include a camera configured to capture an image of the nozzle and a controller configured to control the system. The methods may include providing a cleaning substrate having a plurality of hook structures, and moving at least one of the nozzle and the cleaning substrate relative to the other to remove a material from the nozzle. The methods may also include capturing an image of the nozzle after dispensing with a camera, processing the image to generate a value, utilizing the value to determine if the nozzle should be cleaned, and if the determination is that the nozzle should be cleaned, cleaning the nozzle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved fluid dispensing process control using a machine learning tool are disclosed. In an example method, successive portions of viscous fluid are dispensed by a dispensing device according to operating parameters to train a machine learning tool to associate defect classifications with images of dispensed portions and/or operating parameters associated with dispensing the dispensed portions. The trained machine learning tool is then used in a closed loop fashion in production to detect and correct for defects associated with the dispensed portions to improve quality and production efficiency.

Abstract: Systems and methods for closed loop fluid velocity control for jetting are disclosed. A method includes dispensing a first volume of viscous fluid from a nozzle of a dispensing device according to a first value of an operating parameter that affects the exit velocity of the first volume. A characteristic of the first volume is measured using a sensor. The characteristic of the first volume is then compared to a range of values to determine whether the characteristic of the first volume is outside of the range. The value of the operating parameter is adjusted to a second value in response to determining that the characteristic of the first volume is outside the range. A second volume of viscous fluid is dispensed according to the second value of the operating parameter. The exit velocity of the second volume is different than the first volume.

Abstract: A jet cartridge for jetting fluid material includes a body adapted to receive fluid material, and a fluid passage defined within the body and extending along a longitudinal axis thereof. At least a portion of the fluid passage extends obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis. The body is adapted to receive heat from a heating element and to transfer the heat to the fluid material flowing through the fluid passage. A method of jetting fluid material with a jet dispenser including a jet cartridge includes receiving fluid material into the jet cartridge, directing the fluid material through the jet cartridge along a longitudinal axis thereof and obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis, heating the fluid material directed through fluid cartridge to a target temperature, maintaining the target temperature as the fluid material enters a nozzle, and jetting the heated fluid material through the nozzle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying a liquid coating to a substrate are disclosed herein. One exemplary method includes calibrating flow rate of a material through a coating system. A target flow rate for the material through a spray nozzle is received, a first operating pressure of the coating system based upon the target flow rate is calculated, and the material is ejected onto a least part of a surface with the material flowing through the spray nozzle at the first operating pressure of the coating system. Subsequent to a comparison between an operating flow rate and the target flow rate, the operating pressure is adjusted to a second operating pressure and at least part of the substrate is sprayed with the material flowing through the spray nozzle at the second operating pressure of the coating system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting and cleaning a nozzle of a dispenser are disclosed. The systems may include a platform supporting a cleaning substrate. The cleaning substrate may have a plurality of hook structures configured to remove a material from the nozzle. The systems may also include a camera configured to capture an image of the nozzle and a controller configured to control the system. The methods may include providing a cleaning substrate having a plurality of hook structures, and moving at least one of the nozzle and the cleaning substrate relative to the other to remove a material from the nozzle. The methods may also include capturing an image of the nozzle after dispensing with a camera, processing the image to generate a value, utilizing the value to determine if the nozzle should be cleaned, and if the determination is that the nozzle should be cleaned, cleaning the nozzle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying a mixed material to a substrate are disclosed herein. The method includes receiving dispensing operating parameters and dispensing first and second materials at first and second material flow rates and determining amounts of the first and second materials dispensed. The method also includes automatically adjusting the dispensing of the first and second materials to adjusted first and second material flow rates based upon the determined amounts of the first and second materials dispensed. The method includes pumping the first and second materials at the adjusted first and second material flow rates, mixing the first material and the second material within a chamber of a mixer to form the mixed material, and dispensing the mixed material from a dispensing nozzle onto the substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for two-component mixing in a jetting dispenser are provided herein. A jetting dispenser includes a fluid chamber having a first fluid inlet providing a first fluid and a second fluid inlet providing a second fluid, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid mix within the fluid chamber into a mixed fluid. A method for dispensing a mixed fluid from a dispenser having a fluid chamber in fluid communication with first and second fluid inlets is also provided. A first fluid is provided to the fluid chamber via the first fluid inlet and a second fluid is provided to the fluid chamber via the second fluid inlet. At least a portion of a valve element is moved relative to a valve seat to cause dynamic mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid within the fluid chamber to produce the mixed fluid that is dispensed.

Abstract: A jet cartridge for jetting fluid material includes a body adapted to receive fluid material, and a fluid passage defined within the body and extending along a longitudinal axis thereof. At least a portion of the fluid passage extends obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis. The body is adapted to receive heat from a heating element and to transfer the heat to the fluid material flowing through the fluid passage. A method of jetting fluid material with a jet dispenser including a jet cartridge includes receiving fluid material into the jet cartridge, directing the fluid material through the jet cartridge along a longitudinal axis thereof and obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis, heating the fluid material directed through fluid cartridge to a target temperature, maintaining the target temperature as the fluid material enters a nozzle, and jetting the heated fluid material through the nozzle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting and cleaning a nozzle of a dispenser are disclosed. The systems may include a platform supporting a cleaning substrate. The cleaning substrate may have a plurality of hook structures configured to remove a material from the nozzle. The systems may also include a camera configured to capture an image of the nozzle and a controller configured to control the system. The methods may include providing a cleaning substrate having a plurality of hook structures, and moving at least one of the nozzle and the cleaning substrate relative to the other to remove a material from the nozzle. The methods may also include capturing an image of the nozzle after dispensing with a camera, processing the image to generate a value, utilizing the value to determine if the nozzle should be cleaned, and if the determination is that the nozzle should be cleaned, cleaning the nozzle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for closed loop fluid velocity control for jetting are disclosed. A method includes dispensing a first volume of viscous fluid from a nozzle of a dispensing device according to a first value of an operating parameter that affects the exit velocity of the first volume. A characteristic of the first volume is measured using a sensor. The characteristic of the first volume is then compared to a range of values to determine whether the characteristic of the first volume is outside of the range. The value of the operating parameter is adjusted to a second value in response to determining that the characteristic of the first volume is outside the range. A second volume of viscous fluid is dispensed according to the second value of the operating parameter. The exit velocity of the second volume is different than the first volume.

Abstract: A method of calibrating the jetting profile includes applying voltage to a piezoelectric actuator to move a valve closure structure between non-impact and impact positions, sensing the position of the valve closure structure, establishing a reference point using voltage and position data, and using the reference point to adjust the voltage applied. Another method uses a mechanical stop to calibrate a jetting system. This method includes applying voltage to the piezoelectric actuator to move the valve closure structure between non-impact and impact calibration positions, sensing the position of the valve closure structure, generating voltage and position calibration data, establishing a master reference point using this data, and using the master reference point to determine wear of at least one of: the piezoelectric actuator and the valve closure structure. Another method of operating a jetting system includes the user inputting information into a control component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying a liquid coating to a substrate are disclosed herein. One exemplary method includes calibrating flow rate of a material through a coating system. A target flow rate for the material through a spray nozzle is received, a first operating pressure of the coating system based upon the target flow rate is calculated, and the material is ejected onto a least part of a surface with the material flowing through the spray nozzle at the first operating pressure of the coating system. Subsequent to a comparison between an operating flow rate and the target flow rate, the operating pressure is adjusted to a second operating pressure and at least part of the substrate is sprayed with the material flowing through the spray nozzle at the second operating pressure of the coating system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying a liquid coating to a substrate are disclosed herein. One exemplary method includes calibrating flow rate of a material through a coating system. A target flow rate for the material through a spray nozzle is received, a first operating pressure of the coating system based upon the target flow rate is calculated, and the material is ejected onto a least part of a surface with the material flowing through the spray nozzle at the first operating pressure of the coating system. If it is determined that a difference between an operating flow rate and the target flow rate is outside of a predetermined control range, the operating pressure is adjusted to a second operating pressure and at least part of the substrate is sprayed with the material flowing through the spray nozzle at the second operating pressure of the coating system.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to dispensing fluid and controlling a dispensing operation. The system includes a fluid dispenser including an inlet and an outlet, the dispenser being operable to start and stop the flow of the fluid from the outlet onto a substrate. The system also includes a fluid supply reservoir adapted to hold the fluid, and having an outlet coupled in fluid communication with the inlet of the fluid dispenser to establish a flow path for the fluid between the fluid supply reservoir and the outlet of the fluid dispenser. The fluid supply reservoir further includes a pneumatic input coupled to an air flow path adapted to receive pressurized air for forcing the fluid from the outlet of the reservoir. An electronic air flow meter device is operatively coupled to the air flow path to produce electrical output signals.

Abstract: A method of calibrating the jetting profile includes applying voltage to a piezoelectric actuator to move a valve closure structure between non-impact and impact positions, sensing the position of the valve closure structure, establishing a reference point using voltage and position data, and using the reference point to adjust the voltage applied. Another method uses a mechanical stop to calibrate a jetting system. This method includes applying voltage to the piezoelectric actuator to move the valve closure structure between non-impact and impact calibration positions, sensing the position of the valve closure structure, generating voltage and position calibration data, establishing a master reference point using this data, and using the master reference point to determine wear of at least one of: the piezoelectric actuator and the valve closure structure. Another method of operating a jetting system includes the user inputting information into a control component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting and cleaning a nozzle of a dispenser are disclosed. The systems may include a platform supporting a cleaning substrate. The cleaning substrate may have a plurality of hook structures configured to remove a material from the nozzle. The systems may also include a camera configured to capture an image of the nozzle and a controller configured to control the system. The methods may include providing a cleaning substrate having a plurality of hook structures, and moving at least one of the nozzle and the cleaning substrate relative to the other to remove a material from the nozzle. The methods may also include capturing an image of the nozzle after dispensing with a camera, processing the image to generate a value, utilizing the value to determine if the nozzle should be cleaned, and if the determination is that the nozzle should be cleaned, cleaning the nozzle.

Abstract: A jetting dispensing system includes a dispenser body with a fluid chamber and a valve element, and a progressive cavity pump for feeding fluid into the fluid chamber. The progressive cavity pump propagates a plurality of separated cavities of fluid along an elongate length thereof to generate and maintain an incoming fluid pressure at a fluid inlet and the fluid chamber of the dispenser body. Accordingly, the droplets that are generated from operating the valve element in jetting dispensing cycles may define a volume of fluid, regardless of variations in fluid viscosity and variations in operational speed of the jetting dispensing system. Furthermore, the velocity profile of fluid exiting the dispenser body may be more constant to avoid causing changes in fluid velocity that can damage fluid particles and/or cause rotational tumbling or blossoming of the droplet while in flight towards the substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for two-component mixing in a jetting dispenser are provided herein. A jetting dispenser includes a fluid chamber having a first fluid inlet providing a first fluid and a second fluid inlet providing a second fluid, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid mix within the fluid chamber into a mixed fluid. A method for dispensing a mixed fluid from a dispenser having a fluid chamber in fluid communication with first and second fluid inlets is also provided. A first fluid is provided to the fluid chamber via the first fluid inlet and a second fluid is provided to the fluid chamber via the second fluid inlet. At least a portion of a valve element is moved relative to a valve seat to cause dynamic mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid within the fluid chamber to produce the mixed fluid that is dispensed.

Abstract: Methods and systems of accurately dispensing a viscous fluid onto a substrate. In an embodiment, a method includes using an electronic flow meter device to produce electrical flow meter output signals and performing a responsive control function in a closed loop manner by adjusting at least one dispensing parameter to correct for a difference between an output data set and a reference data set. In another embodiment, a system includes a control operatively coupled to a gas flow meter device and to a weigh scale allowing for a density of an amount of viscous material to be determined. In another embodiment, a method includes using a control coupled to both a gas flow meter device and a weigh scale and performing a responsive control function in a closed loop manner by adjusting at least one dispensing parameter using gas flow meter output signals and weigh scale output signals.