Maximizing Efficiency: Hot-Melt Adhesive Application Techniques

With the term “hot melt,” people often define the methods of using heat and specific techniques to apply adhesive substances in a wide array of projects. In this article, you can find a list of techniques related to this matter. The explanation of different techniques can be useful to you if you want to discover which method could work better for you and your project.

Extrusion and Roll Coat

The extrusion method is one of the most popular ones in this field. It works by extruding the adhesive from a nozzle, which works either in direct or close contact with the substrate, but make sure to have the cleanest product available for your application before you start. This popular method works best for closure systems and general assembly. It is often used in many different industries due to its versatility.

The roll coat method is also rather popular, and in this method the adhesive works with a heated roller tool, which moves it to the wanted substrate. This method works quite well for lamination applications, and it is easy to use while being low maintenance at the same time. 

Glue Dots and Glue Coating

Glue dots are one of the most budget-friendly methods. The dots can reduce hot melt consumption by buying glue that is already sold in the format of dots. For this type of method, you will have to use machinery that can work at various speeds and that can function with water-based glue. These methods are used at the beginning of the process and are used with the right kind of machines to regulate the glue quantity. If done right, this method reduces pollution of production and helps you use only the amount of glue that is actually needed.

Glue coating is another method that should be considered as one of the most effective ones. This method involves applying flat glue through a coating nozzle or a glue roller. This method is often chosen when working with PSA hot melts, which are self-adhesive hot melts normally used for the production of tape and self-adhesive labels. 

Glue Spray and the Swirl Method

Glue spray is one of the simplest methods out there when it comes to applying glue. The spray method creates a discontinuous adhesive pattern. This pattern is beneficial as it offers a great performance without using a large amount of glue. Glue spray works best with all those projects that are heat sensitive and for the ones that require large coverage area applications.

The swirl method is mostly used with self-adhesive adhesives, and it is often applied to the production of mattresses or in the foam processing industry. It is quite a simple application, which requires a large glue surface and rapid cooling. This method is also used during pallet stabilization and anti-slip applications.

Two other methods to consider would be the foam and the slot methods. The foam method uses robotic help to apply the adhesive in a specific pattern. The hot melt density is reduced as gas is used in this process, which is normally preferred in automotive industries. The slot method, as the name suggests, extrudes the adhesive from a slot and places it onto the substrate. This is normally used with high adhesive coat weight, which has broad viscosity and is pressure sensitive. 

Summing up, all these methods differ in their performance, and before picking the right one for you and your projects, you should research which one could be the most adequate. Mastering hot-melt adhesive application techniques is essential for maximizing efficiency in various industries. By optimizing these processes, businesses can enhance productivity, reduce waste and ultimately achieve a more cost-effective and streamlined production.