Adhesive Dispensing for Carpet Assembly

Challenge
An automotive interior manufacturer wanted to reduce labor costs and improve the quality in the assembly of carpet pads. The equipment to automate the feeding of individual components was cost prohibitive, especially considering the variety of pad types to be assembled. However, the hand application of adhesive was inconsistent and labor intensive. An agile solution was required.

Solution
A blending of human labor and a 6-axis robot provided the quality and flexibility required. Assembly jigs were placed within the reach of a robot with a dispensing head. The operator continued to handle the pad components and place them correctly in the jig. The robot was programmed with the necessary dispensing paths to accurately and consistently apply adhesive when required.

Key Features

• Dual station machine with two quick-change jig positions
• Dual channel safety with light curtains to protect operator while remaining ergonomic
• Significantly reduced investment cost for a machine that achieved the critical piece of labor reduction and met the quality improvement targets