Robatech’s glue application system for finger-jointer consists in a pumping unit and application heads with multiple nozzles intended for jetting glue directly into machined finger profiles. The novel system was tested onto a CRP 2000 finger-jointing machine located at the FPInnovation – Forintek laboratory with three types of glue onto 2 X 4 SPF blocks.
For the first run test, the system was found fairly complicated to adjust, as much in terms of its positioning in reference to the finger profiles as for the amount of glue applied. The trial with standard PVA glue resulted with a too important quantity of glue unevenly applied. There were also issues with clogging as the injectors are air tight, but not the nozzles. The test with the modified PVA glue was interrupted shortly after beginning when the mixture turned into a foamy substance that could barely be sucked by the pumping unit.
The delaminating test that was conducted for this run had 100% of the joints failing performance criteria. Following these results, the bending test scheduled was cancelled.
In its initial format, the glue application system assembled by Robatech is not suitable for industrial use. The application head required some modification to be less tedious to adjust and the manufacturer was compelled to provide an elegant solution for the issues regarding clogging and application quality of the initial nozzle configuration.
In the second trial, the system was much easier to set-up and the glue application was achieved in a more controlled fashion. There was no clogging issue as the type of glue used (Franklin Advantage 405) was more permissive in term of curing time. The delamination and bending tests for the second trial run had both positive outcomes.
Following the results of the tests performed at FPInnovations with Robatech’s gluing system; the latter has proven to be a potential substitution for existing applicators. More testing with different glues and some improvements are be needed to fully proof the system. Robatech has proven to provide adequate solutions to issues following the first testing session and came up with more ideas as a result of the second trial run.