Dürr is expanding its dispensing technology lineup with the EcoMeter XS. The new system is designed for the automatic application of minimal quantities of 1K and 2K adhesives and sealants and is primarily intended for use in the manufacture of battery and electronic components, as well as electric motors.
Applications include the assembly of automotive batteries, the manufacture of power electronics, the bonding of magnets in electric motors, the application of greases and seals, and low-volume potting processes. Until now, systems from the EcoShot Meter series have been used for such tasks. However, these systems reached their limits when dealing with very small application volumes. One example is spot application on cylindrical cells to create a thermal bridge between the cell and the cooling unit. “One-tenth of a cubic centimeter, applied to the end face of the cell, is sufficient for thermal contact,” says Sebastian Jochum, product manager for dosing technology at Dürr.
Continuous Dosing in the Micro-Volume Range
The EcoMeter XS dispenses and applies the material continuously without interrupting the material flow. Refill times, as occur with piston dispensers, are eliminated. Dürr already had systems for continuous dispensing of larger volumes in its portfolio, such as for bonding automotive windshields. With the EcoMeter XS, this approach is now being applied to very small flow rates.
The system covers flow rates from 0.00005 cm³/s to 1 cm³/s. Dosing can be controlled continuously, and material is supplied via cartridges or hobbocks. “With the EcoMeter XS, we’re scaling our dosing technology down to the micro-range. This means we have the right dosing solution for every required volume,” says Jochum.
Compact Design for Flexible Integration
Depending on the model, the dosing unit weighs between 0.8 and 1.6 kg. This allows it to be mounted not only on traditional robotic systems but also on gantry systems and robots with low payload capacities. This expands the range of applications in compact manufacturing cells, such as in battery and electronics production, servo motors, or sealing applications.
To accommodate different process requirements, the EcoMeter XS is designed according to a modular principle. This means various configurations and variants are available to adapt the system to varying application volumes, viscosities, and component geometries. With the new micro-dispenser, Dürr is expanding its dispensing portfolio to include lower-volume applications. Together with the EcoShot Meter and EcoMeter SP piston dispensers, the company now covers the automated application of 1K and 2K adhesives and sealants—from micro-volumes to continuous dispensing in high-volume applications.