Dispensing Technology
Dispensing Technology requires precision, repeatability, and material control, particularly when working with small quantities and complex structures. Infotech analyzes these challenges on a case-by-case basis and offers suitable solutions for demanding dosing processes.
Time/Pressure Dispensing
The time/pressure dispensing method is simple and widely used. Material is dispensed from a cartridge using compressed air over a defined period of time.
Key Features:
- Suitable for a wide range of materials, including oils, greases, resins, adhesives, and paints.
- The dispensing quantity is determined by a combination of time and pressure.
- It offers flexible process monitoring and synchronization with axis movements.
- Software-based compensation for viscosity fluctuations, and control directly via Infotech VisualMachines™.
Dispensing with a time/pressure system is one of the most widely used methods in industrial manufacturing. This method is ideal for applying materials such as oils, greases, flux, solder mask, epoxy resins, UV adhesives, silver conductive adhesives, solder pastes, potting compounds, paints, and marking coatings. Cartridge pressure and process parameters are controlled directly by the machine software and can be synchronized with axis movements. Direct integration with the Infotech VisualMachines™ software allows for automatic compensation for viscosity fluctuations. The compressed air valve is mounted close to the cartridge, enabling short response times and precise control.
3D-Dispensing
Three-dimensional (3D) dispensing involves applying material along three-dimensional paths through synchronized movements in the X, Y and Z directions.
Key Features:
- Real-time control enables precise 3D movement.
- The VisualMachines™ software allows dispensing patterns to be programmed freely.
- It is possible to construct shapes with filling structures and layer build-up.
- Applications include medical technology, electronics and 3D-MID, etc.
- Compatible with all dispensing methods (time/pressure, screw, jetter, and piston).
Real-time control enables synchronized movements of the axes in three-dimensional space. This is a prerequisite for true 3D dispensing processes. VisualMachines™, application software developed by Infotech, assists programmers in creating 3D dispensing patterns and layer-by-layer shapes, with or without filling structures. Typical applications include 2.5D support structures for use in the medical technology sector, applying conductor tracks made of conductive ink to 3D MID carriers and precisely dispensing epoxy resins onto rotationally symmetrical components. Any standard dispensing technology can be used.
Volumetric Dispensing
In volumetric dispensing, a precisely defined quantity of material is applied, regardless of the pressure, time or viscosity involved.
Jet Dispensing
In Jet Dispensing, the material is sprayed onto the substrate in rapid, short pulses without direct contact between the valve and the surface.
Key features:
- Non-contact dispensing process is ideal for hard-to-reach areas.
- Compatible with many commercially available jet valves, such as Nordson, Vermes, and Delo.
- It is fully automatable, including cleaning and calibration.
- Image processing checks and corrects the dispensing result.
- Ideal for precise spot dispensing and high cycle times.
Jet dispensing is an increasingly popular process in industrial manufacturing, particularly for small, hard-to-reach, or sensitive components.
Infotech supports jet systems from renowned manufacturers, including Nordson Liquidyn, Nordson Picodos/PicoPulse, Vermes, Delo, and Musashi. The dispensing modules can be fully automated, including cleaning, running in, and calibrating during the process. When combined with integrated image processing, the dispensing result can be continuously monitored and automatically adjusted as needed.
Stamping/Dipping
Stamping, also known as pin print transfer, is a mechanical dispensing process that applies tiny amounts of material using a stamping tool or direct immersion.
Key features:
- Contact-based dispensing process for adhesives, conductive adhesives, and solder pastes.
- This process is suitable for precisely wetting components.
- Variants include pin transfer or dipping into a flux bed.
- Choose between a linear or rotary fluxer.
- Flexible for use with small to large quantities.
Stamping, also known as pin print transfer, is ideal for applying small amounts of material, such as adhesives, conductive pastes, and solder. The material can be transferred to the substrate with a stamping tool, or the component can be immersed directly in flux. For these processes, depending on the application, the Flexible Linear Fluxer (which is also available with multiple cavities) or the Rotation Fluxer (which is ideal for high cycle rates in series production) is used.