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UV curing adhesives, also known as light curing adhesive, use UV light or other radiation sources to initiate the curing process. A permanent bond then forms without application of heat by a means of free-radical chemistry.

UV curing adhesives are available in a range of viscosities and several different chemical systems, most of which are polymer based. These include acrylics, epoxies, polyurethanes, polyesters and silicones.

UV curing adhesives can bond to a wide range of substrates, even those which are dissimilar, and provide a tough clear bond making them a highly popular choice.

In this blog post, we’ve highlighted 10 of the most popular uses for UV Curing Adhesives and the reasons why they work so well for these applications…

1. GLASS BONDING 

With high transparency and excellent stability, UV curing adhesives are well suited to glass bonding since the nature of the adhesive allows it to perform under tough environmental conditions such as humidity and sunlight. This works particularly well for bevel bonding and stained-glass windows.

 

We recommend: Dymax 429 Lightweld Adhesive

2. ARCHITECTURAL BONDING

Architectural bonding benefits from UV curing adhesive on items such as glass balconies and staircases. The light treated curing resists yellowing, vibration and thermal shock and can be used for large area bonding.

We recommend: Dymax 425 Lightweld Adhesive

3. PLASTIC BONDING

Plastic bonding for point of sale display items or signs is made much easier by using a UV curing adhesive as it allows for full coverage and clear, bubble free bond lines. The highly resilient adhesive gives rapid adhesion to plastic making it a great choice for point of sale signs.

 

We recommend: Dymax 3099

4. AUTOMOTIVE ASSEMBLY

Light-curing adhesives are particularly effective for large volume manufacturing or assembly processes where fast curing and high quality are required. In the automotive industry, safety critical devices such as headlamps and seat belt monitoring switches are increasingly being treated using this method thanks to these benefits.

We recommend: Dymax Adhesives 3030

 

5. DISPOSABLE MEDICAL DEVICES

Medical device manufacturers worldwide are rapidly seeking the use of light cure technology in their industry, as it offers a rapid cure and a vast product range.  Henkel Loctite UV light adhesives meet SO-10993 biocompatibility requirements, the same test standard used in the licensing of medical devices.

 We recommend: Henkel Loctite 4305

 

6. ENCAPSULATION OF PRINTED SURFACE BOARDS

 

UV curing conformal coatings can be applied over the entire surface area of a printed surface board or in a discreet, shadowed areas to provide full protection from external environments. This quick-curing process means there is no need to dry the board after application, unlike traditional time consuming thermal-cure coatings.

We recommend: Dymax Adhesives 9481-E

 

7. SHOWER DOORS, HANDLES & CABINETS 

Fast and highly durable bonding between glass to acrylic, such as those within bathroom cabinets and doors, can be achieved with the use of UV curing adhesives. The low stress bonder resists yellowing in the sun and can cure through UV blocked and tinted glass or plastic. It also offers a good performance during thermal cycling.

We recommend: Dymax 4-20418

 

 

8. FLAT PANEL DISPLAYS, TOUCH SCREENS & LAMINATION

Light-curable optical digital bonding adhesives are specifically formulated for when durable, invisible bonds are required. Their fast, on demand cure and superior workability mean substrates can be repositioned continuously until they are ready to be cured. They are non-yellowing allowing for increased light transmission and optical clarity on touch and LCD screens such as phones or tablets and offer an easy flow for flat panel lamination.

We recommend: Dymax Adhesives 9701

 

 

9. MANUFACTURING OF RESPIRATORY SUPPORT DEVICES

As UV curing adhesives work well under testing environmental conditions, it makes them a perfect fit for the bonding of products such as facemasks and breathing circuits. The attributes of the bond allow flexibility and contain no non-reactive solvents. The ability to cure in seconds allows maximum speed and high-quality performance for the assembly of the medical device.

We recommend: Dymax Adhesives 110-MSK

 

10. SHOP FITTINGS

The bonding of display cases and shelves can be achieved almost instantly using a light curing adhesive. Any excess can be removed easily after adjustment, which is aided by the precise and easily dispensed application of the adhesive. The bonds which are formed generally exceed the strength of the substrates.

We recommend: Dymax Adhesives 3094-GEL-REV-A

 

 

Shop our full range of UV Curing Adhesives

 

Additional links:

Want to know more about UV light curing? Check out our ‘Guide to UV Curing Blog‘ which explains the advantages of UV Curing technology and the key UV curing systems and  materials you need to know about.

Ellsworth Adhesives supplies an extensive range of UV Curing products – you can view our full UV Curing range here.

Our Glue Doctor is available to answer any technical questions you may have regarding UV curing materials or UV Curing equipment. Simply fill out our enquiry form.

Robots provide an economical solution to dispensing automation and are suited to low, medium and high production environments across a broad range of industries.

The initial investment on a dispensing robot is quickly recouped, since human error is minimised by eliminating reject components, and production capacity increases due to higher production cycle times. This leads to significant cost savings.

Accuracy and consistency is guaranteed with a dispensing robot, as it can be programmed to dispense a material precisely within tolerance as small as +/- 0.01 mm.  While their capabilities may be advanced, dispensing robots are easy to operate and programming them is simple and user friendly with proprietary teaching software.

In a special guest blog post, Robert Campbell, Global Product Manager of Fisnar Engineered Dispensing Solutions, has identified his Top 4 Dispensing Robots.

 

 

Best robot for VALUE – F4200N.1

For consumers taking the first steps in automating their dispensing process, an entry level robot such as Fisnar’s F4200N.1, is the ideal purchase.

Though this dispensing robot has been singled out for value, it should not be mistaken for a low-quality system comprised of cheap components. On the contrary, it’s the unique design that makes the F4200N.1 special.

The Fisnar team has spent many years refining the mechanical design of its entry level robot, to produce the industry’s most compact system, capable of delivering high performance and accuracy.

With its slim line construction and small work area footprint, the F4200N.1 desktop robot is well suited to low volume production runs or a manufacturing project in the early R & D phase. This model may be small, but it is mighty.

 

 

Best robot for PERFORMANCE – F9800N

Easily integrated with in-line industrial automation, The F9800N gantry robot is loaded with features guaranteed to maximise performance.

Its ball-screw drive system translates rotational motion to linear motion with little friction, resulting in high end precision at every turn. High performance servo motor drive and closed loop encoder feedback, ensure guaranteed positional accuracy to within +/- 0.02mm.

The gantry design means that tools aren’t loaded directly onto the robot, instead they are loaded under the robot, facilitating an increased work load capacity. As standard, users can load up to 7kg of weight and upon request this capacity can be increased to 15kg.

A sizeable working area of 800 x 600 mm, makes the F9800N model perfect for large-scale dispensing applications. Users have the additional option of processing multiple parts simultaneously with the step-and-repeat routine – a function which can considerably reduce production time.

 

Best robot for INNOVATION – F5200N.1

Leading the way for ingenuity, the F5200N.1 UNITOP robot is the only product of its kind in the dispensing robotics arena.

With the unique capability to create its own working area, the F5200N.1 works as either a desktop or gantry robotic system, and can be mounted to any surface.

This versatile robot can be used on any type of platform requiring a gantry type mounting with open access underneath. It is also suitable for conveyor-fed automation, and may be installed in work cells, operating as a slave robot.

 

 

 

Best ALL ROUNDER = F45000N.1

Fisnar’s best-selling robot the F45000N, rates highly for value, functionality and ease of use, making it a great all-round system.

This powerful benchtop dispensing robot is optimally sized, with a working area of 500 x 500m, and an extra Z axis reach of 150mm.

Thanks to this generous working area, there is plenty of space to attach robotic accessories that have been designed to enhance a dispensing robot’s productivity. A device such as a tip alignment module, is easily added to the F45000N and facilitates the smooth operation of a robot through automatic detection of its dispense tip’s position and the ability to alter it accordingly.

The F45000N is user-friendly, with programming carried out by a teach-pendant using a dispensing software that provides the operator with step-by-step instructions.

 

 

All of the dispensing robots above are available to purchase from Ellsworth Adhesives Europe.

View our entire range of dispensing robots here.