Hotmelt applicator heads provide ‘speed, durability, precision’

Packaging firm Robatech has launched new gluing applicator heads which “virtually eliminate” nozzle blockage and last much longer than conventional ones.

Robatech also claimed that the SpeedStar Diamond ‘has succeeded in combining extremely short switching cycles with a high wear resistance’. The product has been designed for use in gluing flaps of small sweets and chewing gum boxes as well as chocolate bar wrappers.

The Swiss-based company said that the extremely short switching cycles enable ‘small and precise dots’ of adhesive to be placed at a rate of 800 dots per second.

In addition, Robatech said that it is currently applying for a patent for its sealing concept which ‘in combination with an electronic stroke supervision and cycle evaluation guarantees 250 million switching cycles.’

'Guaranteed dot size and dot position'

Hanspeter Huber, Product Manager Packaging Industry at Robatech, said that the SpeedStar Diamond is ‘not yet commercially available’ and that the company is currently in the ‘pilot production’ stage.

He added that the product has been trialled with a few companies although these are ‘not specifically in the food sector.’

Robatech claims that the ‘repetition accuracy is unique’ and there will not be a need for manual adjustment due to the ‘stroke of the shut-off needle’ which is ‘monitored and automatically adjusted.’

According to the company, this will ‘guarantee’ consistent dot size and position, producing shorter beads of glue at a higher speed. Huber added that the smaller dot size will also result in reduced adhesive consumption.

Safe and energy efficient

Elaborating further on the SpeedStar Diamond, Huber said that the heat resistant cool-touch insulation makes it ‘safe’ for users as well as improving ‘energy efficiency.’

The heads are insulated with plastic which ‘protects the operating personnel from burns’, said the company. In addition, Robatech said that the insulation ‘ensures that sweets which heat up quickly do not start to melt.’

The company added that temperature control and nozzle protection features in the applicator heads results in an ‘improved tear-off behaviour’ and also means that ‘nozzle blockages are virtually eliminated thanks to the integrated filters.’

Robatech will be presenting it at the ProSweets confectionery fair in Cologne next year.

Source: Robatech AG