automatic solutions for AB glue potting in power supply industry

"AB glue," or “2K glue”, a common term in manufacturing, refers to a two-component adhesive system. "A" and "B" designate the two separate parts—a resin and a hardener—that are stored and dispensed separately and only mixed just before application. This two-part system is widely used in the power supply industry for potting because it offers a durable, high-performance solution for protecting sensitive electronic components. 

How Automatic AB Glue Potting Works

An automatic AB glue potting system is designed to handle this two-part material with precision and efficiency. The process typically involves these steps:

1.  Material Storage and Preparation: The A and B components are stored in separate, sealed containers, often with a system to maintain their temperature and a stirring mechanism to prevent material separation. Many high-end systems also include a vacuum degassing function to remove any trapped air bubbles, which is crucial for preventing voids in the final potted product.

2.  Precise Metering and Mixing:The heart of the system is the meter-mix dispensing unit. It uses high-precision pumps (like gear or piston pumps) to draw the exact, pre-programmed ratio of the A and B components. The two parts are then fed into a static or dynamic mixing head.

Static Mixing:The two parts are forced through a series of angled blades in a stationary nozzle, which thoroughly mixes them before they are dispensed.

Dynamic Mixing:A motor-driven blade spins rapidly inside the mixing head to ensure a more vigorous and uniform mix, which is often necessary for high-viscosity materials.

3. Robotic Dispensing:A programmable robot (typically a 3-axis or 6-axis) moves the dispensing head along a pre-programmed path. This ensures the glue is applied to the exact location on the circuit board or inside the power supply's housing. The robot's movement can be programmed for dots, lines, curves, or circles to cover the entire area with consistent coverage.

4. Curing:After dispensing, the mixed AB glue begins its curing process, which can be accelerated with heat depending on the specific material used. The cured material forms a solid, protective barrier.

5. Automated Cleaning (Optional but Recommended):To prevent the mixed glue from curing and clogging the dispensing equipment, automated cleaning systems are often integrated. This feature typically involves flushing the mixing head with a solvent after a certain number of cycles or at the end of a production run.

Key Advantages of Automatic AB Glue Potting Solutions

For the power supply industry, automating the AB glue potting process provides numerous benefits:

Accuracy and Consistency:Manual mixing and dispensing are prone to human error, which can lead to improper ratios, incomplete mixing, and inconsistent application. An automated system ensures the correct ratio and volume every time, resulting in a consistent and reliable product.

Improved Product Quality and Reliability:Consistent potting with no air bubbles or voids provides superior protection against moisture, chemicals, and vibration. This enhances the lifespan and performance of the power supply, especially in demanding applications.

Increased Production Efficiency: Robots can work continuously without fatigue, dramatically increasing throughput and reducing cycle times compared to manual labor. This is essential for meeting high-volume production demands.

Reduced Material Waste:Precision metering and dispensing minimize material spillage and the amount of unused mixed glue, which has a short pot life. This leads to significant cost savings on expensive potting compounds.

Enhanced Operator Safety:Automated systems remove operators from direct contact with potentially hazardous chemicals, improving the overall safety of the work environment.

Flexibility:Modern systems can be easily reprogrammed to handle different products, potting patterns, and mixing ratios, making them adaptable to various power supply designs. Many machines can even be integrated with vision systems (CCD) to precisely locate components and adjust the dispensing path.

In summary, automatic AB glue potting solutions are an essential technology for the modern power supply industry. They provide a high-tech, reliable method for protecting power supply units, ensuring product quality, and optimizing the manufacturing process. GDS automation can offer both small and simple AB glue potting machine and full-automatic line with vacuuming and heating station.