Since the introduction of desktop automated dispensing systems into manufacturing lines in the 1980s, robots have increased first-pass yields with faster speeds while reducing product rejects. Flash forward to present day and we still see a trend of companies switching from manual to automatic dispensing for a variety of reasons.
Although manual equipment may be suitable for certain applications and comes at a lower cost upfront, when you need a more repeatable process with greater accuracy and verification of deposit location, automated dispensing systems are the best solution.
We understand the value of automated dispensing systems and the repeatability and precision they bring to manufacturing lines. Our dispensing robots are available in 3 or 4 axes configurations and offer a wide variety of camera options, software, height sensing, dispense inspection options, and more.
Gluditec’s Desktop Automated Dispensing System
Automated Dispensing Systems – A Definition
A desktop automated dispensing system can be defined as a system that provides computer-controlled dispensing. The ability to connect your robot to a computer simplifies programming regardless of whether you’re dispensing dots, lines, circles, arcs, or compound arcs. Another benefit of computer-controlled dispensing is that everything is integrated. The closed-loop motor and linear encoders, CCD fiducial recognition, and laser height sensing of the substrate allow the system to adjust programs to automatically compensate for both surface height changes and variations in product orientation.
With automated dispensing systems, you’re able to dispense virtually any fluid from a syringe barrel, dispense valve, jetting valve, and other types of dispensing devices. This allows manufacturers to incorporate robots because they can be adjusted to fit a wide variety of applications from inline to batch dispensing.
Our robots can be further categorized as cartesian robots, meaning that they use X, Y, and Z coordinates. While most cartesian robots offer 3-axis capability, some also offer a fourth axis. 4-axis robots can dispense along a 360° rotation plane, giving manufacturers the flexibility to dispense dots, lines, circles, arcs, compound arcs, and patterns at virtually any angle.
Another type of cartesian automated dispensing system is the gantry robot, which is designed with supporting axes that eliminate torque from the base axis. This results in a more stable robot that is perfect for larger payloads or when a large work envelope is needed.
Programming Methods
Most desktop dispensing robots come equipped with one of two programming methods. We offer different softwares for different cases. Our automated dispensing systems that do not include vision will come with TeachMotion software. This technology is integrated with a Teach Pendant, an intuitive handheld controller that allows for quick setup and easy, on-the-fly programming. Robots that come equipped with vision will use our DispenseMotion software. This software is powerful and intuitive and integrates easily with the camera. This vision-based programming works well for complex paths and allows users to program quickly with just a few clicks.
Vision Systems
Dispensing robots with vision allow on-screen preview of the dispensing path to make programming easier. All the user needs to do when programming is to indicate a point on the screen where the dispense pattern begins, outline the path to follow, and indicate where the cycle ends and the software takes care of automatically aligning the camera and orienting tip offsets.
Gluditec’s Vision Integrated Desktop Robot products can be found here.
Height Detection
Some dispensing robots can measure the height of each dispense location on the workpiece. The data gathered by the Z clearance can then be used to adjust for height variations from one workpiece to another. Our E Series, EV Series, and GV Series all use mechanical height detection, which requires a device that contacts the workpiece and determines the height of a single point at a time. The PRO/PROPlus Series is our only robot that utilizes laser height detection instead. This version of height detection is perfect for fragile substrates and it can also determine the height of multiple points on a workpiece in a single sweep.
Tip Detection
All robots can offer automatic tip adjustment, meaning that with every dispense tip change, the system will recalibrate and adjust the X, Y, and Z height to make up for any discrepancies. This will ensure deposit accuracy, every time.
Although this is an optional add-on to our robots, our tip detector is compatible with the other robot series. The tip detector operates by touching the tip on a sensor pad to detect the height location of the tip and then makes a deposit on the tip detector to confirm the XY location, automatically adjusting the program as needed.
Meanwhile our tip aligner is compatible with our standard robot series. The tip aligner uses optical sensors to detect the outside diameter and end of the dispense tip. Any discrepancies in the gap height are identified and the offsets are automatically applied.
Although desktop automated dispensing systems may require a larger investment up front, the accuracy, increase in production, decrease of product rejects, and overall capabilities bring so much value to a manufacturing line. Our dispensing robots often provide a return on investment in a matter of months.
For further information about dispensing technology and technical supporting, contact us:
Email: info@gluditec.com
Hotline: (+84) 969 469 089