Advances in light-curing adhesive technology allow lean process implementation
Manufacturers are striving to eliminate inventory, use floor space efficiently and improve throughput. The long cure and fixture times required for some adhesive systems are not always compatible with these goals. However, adhesive systems that cure very rapidly introduce their own processing dilemmas and can contribute to higher levels of scrap and adhesive waste.
Light-cure adhesives help manufacturers to resolve this tradeoff by remaining liquid until exposed to light of the proper wavelength and intensity. Their long open time allows for positioning of parts, while their ability to achieve complete cure within seconds can significantly improve part flow through manufacturing processes. Advances in light-cure technology, particularly the availability of LED-based light sources, have lowered costs and significantly expanded the options available to manufacturers.