Abstract: An adhesive dispensing device (10) includes a melt module (12) including a housing (78) that defines a receiving space to receive adhesive and a heater (114) to heat the housing to melt the adhesive, and a control module (14) releasably connected to the melt module. The control module includes a controller (36) to automatically recognize a characteristic associated with the melt module and operate the melt module using instructions stored on the controller that correspond to the characteristic of the melt module. A method of operating the adhesive dispensing device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heat exchange device for heating liquid adhesive material to an application temperature suitable for an adhesive bonding application includes a body having an inlet configured to receive a flow of liquid adhesive material and an outlet configured to provide the liquid adhesive material to a dispensing device for the adhesive bonding application. A fluid passageway in the body connects the inlet and the outlet. The fluid passageway includes a thin slit section in the form of an elongated ring shape, having a length along a fluid flow direction between the inlet and the outlet, the thin slit section further having a first dimension and a second dimension transverse to the fluid flow direction. The first dimension and the length are substantially greater than the second dimension. The heat exchange device further includes a heating element for heating the liquid adhesive material flowing through the thin slit section.

Abstract: A heat exchange device for heating liquid adhesive material to an application temperature suitable for an adhesive bonding application includes a body having an inlet configured to receive a flow of liquid adhesive material and an outlet configured to provide the liquid adhesive material to a dispensing device for the adhesive bonding application. A fluid passageway in the body connects the inlet and the outlet. The fluid passageway includes a thin slit section having a length along a fluid flow direction between the inlet and the outlet, the thin slit section further having a first dimension and a second dimension transverse to the fluid flow direction. The first dimension and the length are substantially greater than the second dimension. The heat exchange device further includes a heating element for heating the liquid adhesive material flowing through the thin slit section to the application temperature.

Abstract: A dispensing module and method of dispensing an adhesive includes a dispenser body assembly having a liquid supply passage, a nozzle member having a liquid passageway, a valve element, and a valve seat. The liquid passageway includes a discharge passageway defining an outlet, a first converging surface, a bore, and a shoulder positioned between the first converging surface and the bore. The valve element extends along an axis within the liquid passageway and has a bulbous end portion movable along the axis between an open position and a closed position. The bulbous end portion has a valve needle smaller than the bore to inhibit obstruction to the discharge passageway for adhesive flowing thereto. The valve seat seals against the bulbous end portion in the closed position such that a region of the valve needle projects into the discharge passageway for inhibiting clogging of the adhesive proximate to the outlet.

Abstract: A dispensing module and method of dispensing an adhesive includes a dispenser body assembly having a liquid supply passage, a nozzle member having a liquid passageway, a valve element, and a valve seat. The liquid passageway includes a discharge passageway defining an outlet, a first converging surface, a bore, and a shoulder positioned between the first converging surface and the bore. The valve element extends along an axis within the liquid passageway and has a bulbous end portion movable along the axis between an open position and a closed position. The bulbous end portion has a valve needle smaller than the bore to inhibit obstruction to the discharge passageway for adhesive flowing thereto. The valve seat seals against the bulbous end portion in the closed position such that a region of the valve needle projects into the discharge passageway for inhibiting clogging of the adhesive proximate to the outlet.

Abstract: A dispensing module and method of dispensing an adhesive includes a dispenser body assembly having a liquid supply passage, a nozzle member having a liquid passageway, a valve element, and a valve seat. The liquid passageway includes a discharge passageway defining an outlet, a first converging surface, a bore, and a shoulder positioned between the first converging surface and the bore. The valve element extends along an axis within the liquid passageway and has a bulbous end portion movable along the axis between an open position and a closed position. The bulbous end portion has a valve needle smaller than the bore to inhibit obstruction to the discharge passageway for adhesive flowing thereto. The valve seat seals against the bulbous end portion in the closed position such that a region of the valve needle projects into the discharge passageway for inhibiting clogging of the adhesive proximate to the outlet.

Abstract: A heat exchange device for heating liquid adhesive material to an application temperature suitable for an adhesive bonding application includes a body having an inlet configured to receive a flow of liquid adhesive material and an outlet configured to provide the liquid adhesive material to a dispensing device for the adhesive bonding application. A fluid passageway in the body connects the inlet and the outlet. The fluid passageway includes a thin slit section in the form of an elongated ring shape, having a length along a fluid flow direction between the inlet and the outlet, the thin slit section further having a first dimension and a second dimension transverse to the fluid flow direction. The first dimension and the length are substantially greater than the second dimension. The heat exchange device further includes a heating element for heating the liquid adhesive material flowing through the thin slit section.

Abstract: A dispensing module and method of dispensing an adhesive includes a dispenser body assembly having a liquid supply passage, a nozzle member having a liquid passageway, a valve element, and a valve seat. The liquid passageway includes a discharge passageway defining an outlet, a first converging surface, a bore, and a shoulder positioned between the first converging surface and the bore. The valve element extends along an axis within the liquid passageway and has a bulbous end portion movable along the axis between an open position and a closed position. The bulbous end portion has a valve needle smaller than the bore to inhibit obstruction to the discharge passageway for adhesive flowing thereto. The valve seat seals against the bulbous end portion in the closed position such that a region of the valve needle projects into the discharge passageway for inhibiting clogging of the adhesive proximate to the outlet.

Abstract: A heat exchange device for heating liquid adhesive material to an application temperature suitable for an adhesive bonding application includes a body having an inlet configured to receive a flow of liquid adhesive material and an outlet configured to provide the liquid adhesive material to a dispensing device for the adhesive bonding application. A fluid passageway in the body connects the inlet and the outlet. The fluid passageway includes a thin slit section having a length along a fluid flow direction between the inlet and the outlet, the thin slit section further having a first dimension and a second dimension transverse to the fluid flow direction. The first dimension and the length are substantially greater than the second dimension. The heat exchange further includes a heating element for heating the liquid adhesive material flowing through the thin slit section to the application temperature.