Three News On The Topic Of Gluing

2023 Author: Hannah Pearcy | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 11:12

In the research project "Innovative design and manufacturing process based on crash energy-absorbing hyperelastic adhesives", TH Mittelhessen wants to develop a rubber-like adhesive with the companies GlueTec Industrial Adhesives and Volante Cladding Systems. It should be physiologically and toxicologically safe and should harden quickly for production reasons. They want to use them to create adhesive joints that are stable, for example, in the event of an accident, and that absorb as much impact energy as possible. New measuring methods for the fracture mechanics of hyperelastic adhesive connections are also being developed within the scope of the project. The crack propagation is recorded three-dimensionally at high speeds with high-speed cameras. Based on the measurement results, simulation models are to be developed that describe the hyper-elastic behavior.

Connection of solar cells

With the ECA (Electrically Conductive Adhesive) process developed by Teamtechnik, sensitive HJT (heterojunction) solar cells can be bonded reliably. With this technology, a conductive adhesive is applied to the cell on both sides in a screen printing process. LCR (light capturing ribbons) connectors are then positioned on the cells to connect the solar cells to form a string, and the adhesive is fully cured at temperatures of around 160 ° C. The ECA process reduces the thermal and mechanical stress on the sensitive cells and increases the reliability of the modules. The TT1600ECA adhesive stringer machine is specially designed for bonding with electronically conductive adhesive (ECA) and enables process-reliable series production in large quantities. The system combines HJT solar cells with LCR connectors every 2.25 seconds.

Adhesive application becomes intelligent

A completely new, fully automated and controlled adhesive application system with 3D image processing is the result of a joint development by the companies Nimak and Quiss and the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Applied Materials Research (IFAM). Nimak contributed its expertise in the development of dosing technology and control, Quiss implemented industrial image processing and Fraunhofer IFAM was responsible for the automation of the system and robotics. The background for the pioneering innovation is weight reduction and lightweight construction in the aerospace industry. In this context it is also about the gluing and sealing of structural elements such as windows,Tail units or wings and thereby the correct amount and uniformity of the assembly and adhesive to be applied.

Up to now, the components have been fixed in complex clamping devices so that the robot always applies the adhesive in the same programmed position. A regulated adaptation to the component position and parameters is not possible. The new intelligent dosing system now records the respective position of the component and automatically applies the assembly and adhesive to the intended location. The job path is permanently monitored by the camera, which sends signals to the dosing control via an interface. The sensors also control the amount applied and also transmit this data there. The system can detect possible deviations in the application of the adhesive bead in real time and correct them immediately.

Nimak's technology is based on the "a.tron" dosing system for 1-component adhesives. On this basis, the company developed a system that was optimized in almost all points in the joint project, which is now also suitable for 2K applications. This ranges from a new special application nozzle for the highest possible control speed through innovative control software to the selection of the hardware. The possible advantages of optimal dosing of the assembly and adhesive and thus the reduction in weight as well as the possibility of adapting the order to the respective component geometries make the dosing technology now called "a.tronNEXT" interesting for other areas.