Programmable Glue Application Device
Medical Manufacturing
Industry: Project Focus:Semi-Autonomous Adhesive Application & Assembly System
Disciplines:Concept Development, Mechanical Engineering, User-Centric Design, Collaborative Review
OVERVIEW
A leading medical device manufacturer partnered with ENSER to automate the adhesive application and assembly process for three styles of diffuser canisters. The manual process lacked repeatability and contributed to inconsistent product quality. ENSER delivered a compact, robot-assisted solution that improved consistency, reduced waste, and ensured precision—boosting throughput while maintaining safety and ease of use.
Challenge
Manual assembly of diffuser canisters led to frequent inconsistencies:
- Repeatability Issues: Precise placement of adhesive and proper seating of parts were hard to replicate by hand, leading to failed seals and scrapped units.
- Component Variants: Operators needed to handle multiple canister styles with minimal training, introducing risk of cross-assembly errors.
- Manual Fatigue & Efficiency: Manual gluing and assembly slowed down production and required intense operator focus to avoid mistakes.
Solution
ENSER engineered a programmable glue application device centered around a 6-axis robotic arm equipped with both a glue dispensing hose and a suction-cup pick-and-place system. The device was designed for flexibility, safety, and efficiency. Key Features:
- Multi-Variant Handling: A set of precision-machined nests mounted to a shared worktable allowed different canister components to be registered and assembled correctly, regardless of the model selected.
- Precision Automation: The robot's motion envelope was optimized to apply glue in consistent beads at critical locations, ensuring airtight seals without smearing or misalignment.
- Safety First Design: A compact worktable with three enclosed walls and a light curtain on the operator side ensured safe operation without restricting accessibility.
- User-Friendly Interface: A capacitive switch and touchscreen HMI allowed operators to choose from three assembly types. A built-in camera confirmed component orientation and placement before activating the glue-and-assemble sequence
CUSTOMER Benefits
- Improved Cycle Time
Automation significantly reduced the time required to produce each unit, enabling higher daily output with fewer operator hours.
- Drastic Reduction in Human Error
The robot-controlled process ensures repeatable glue application and assembly, decreasing failure rates and product waste.
- Seamless Variant Management
The system’s intuitive interface and pre-programmed routines allow quick changeovers between canister types, minimizing downtime.
- Future-Proof Flexibility
The robot and software were designed for easy reprogramming, allowing future adaptation to new product lines or assembly changes.
- IP Ownership
All engineering designs developed during the project become the intellectual property of the client, offering long-term strategic value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Automate Precision - Eliminate Manual Errors
Ready to streamline your production line? ENSER can engineer a custom solution for your adhesive or assembly challenges.
